Car Cleaning Tips

For many people, the car is one of their most precious possessions.

It might also be your biggest investment – next to your own home. You want to keep it clean and looking nice at all times.

However, we all know that our vehicles go through a lot and they can get in some pretty dirty situations.

You also have different parts of your car to clean both inside and out. The different parts are made from different substances and you might have to clean your windows and windshield, tires, rims, car painted surfaces, carpets inside, seats and other upholstery and they all use different cleaning products.

You need to know what works to clean your car and keep it looking new for a long time to come.

Windows:

When cleaning your car windows, you want to avoid those annoying streaks and spots. How can you clean the windows and leave them streak free?

  1. Standard window cleaning usually works well, but you can also purchase a window cleaner designed for cars.
  2. Work in a small area at a time moving in small circles of 2-3 inches.
  3. Repeat if needed.

Upholstery:

Cleaning the upholstery in your car can be a tough challenge. There are different types of materials that it can be made out of. Are your seats and upholstery cloth or leather?

A good tip when it comes to car cleaning is prevention and protection. A coat of Armor All or similar substance can protect the seats and upholstery and make it easier to just wipe clean.

Some stains in leather wipe clean with warm water and maybe some mild soap. Stains in cloth can sometimes be more difficult. Use baking soda and water (test in an unseen area) and blot at the stain with a clean dye- free towel.

Wheels:

To clean your wheels, rinse off all excess dirt and grime. Brush your wheels with soap and water being careful not to use anything abrasive or scratch your rims. Use a hard scrub brush to shine them and then rinse.

Mirrors and Windows

Be sure when you have cleaned and dried the rest of the car, you finish the look by cleaning your mirrors and windows.

Make sure that you clean them using an ammonia free glass cleaner and newspaper to get streak free. If you don’t have newspaper, you can use a pillowcase or cloth diaper.

Washing and Waxing:

When it comes to washing and waxing, here are some tips to help you keep a clean car as much as possible.

  1. Rinse thick stains off as soon as possible. For example, don’t let mud dry and cake on.
  2. Wash problem areas first such as ground in road dirt or tar. This pre-wash is very important.
  3. You should spend about 10 minutes pre-washing your car.
  4. If you work slowly and it is a hot day, you might want to rinse one side before moving to the other so the soap doesn’t dry into the paint.
  5. Next, after you rinse you will completely wash again.
  6. Shampoo the car with a sponge and/or cleaning pad. Be sure you work in small circles and be careful not to scratch the paint.
  7. Next you can move on to your tires and wheels.
  8. Rinse your car again and then dry it carefully usually a soft towel to prevent spotting.

Road Tar:

To remove stubborn road tar from your car, try Touch of Oranges Wood Cleaner. Test it on a small area first just to b sure. Then spray it on a cloth and rub it on the tar. Then rinse it off and the tar should come off easily.

Remove Pitch:

If you must park in a driveway with overhanging branches of evergreens or other trees, you may experience drops of pitch on your car.

There are several cleaning products available commercially that are good to remove the pitch stains, but you may also try to remove it yourself by rubbing with a cloth dampened with ordinary rubbing alcohol.

You may also apply vegetable shortening or lard to the pitch, then work it in with a soft cloth so as not to damage the finish of your vehicle. Either of these methods should remove the pitch, then you can wash your car as usual.

Cleaning Products to Avoid:

There are many types of products out there to clean your car. There are also many materials and surfaces inside a car. Vinyl, leather, acrylic paint, rubber, chrome, glass and plastic all clean better when you use the specific type of cleaner made for them. There are some products you should avoid altogether.

No Strong Detergents/Soap

The strong solvents in most cleaning products can break down and damage paint, vinyl, and leather and rubber material. Laundry detergent is highly alkaline and all soaps leave a film residue which will dull the shine so you should avoid these on your vehicle.

No Ammonia Based Products:

Ammonia is used in certain glass cleaners and all-purpose cleaners and should be avoided on your car. Ammonia based cleaners will degrade and crack the leather, vinyl and rubber on a vehicle. It can also damage the tint on tinted glass windows.

 

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Tips: Preserve your car during long-term storage

If you are not going to use your car for more than a month, store it properly to prevent unnecessary damage and repairs upon your return.

  • Fill the gas tank to help prevent condensation from accumulating in the gas tank. Add a fuel stabilizer and drive the car around a bit to distribute the additive to engine parts.
  • Wash and wax the car thoroughly to protect the finish.
  • Place a vapor barrier on your garage floor. A 4-mil polyethylene drop cloth will do.
  • Disengage the parking brake to help avoid brake corrosion.
  • Put the car on jack stands to take the weight of the vehicle off the wheels and tires.
  • Disconnect and remove the battery to keep it from draining. Place the battery on a trickletype charger. Or periodically drain the battery, using a small light bulb, and then recharge it with a low-volt charger.
  • Plug the tailpipe with a rag to prevent moist air from infiltrating into it.
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Tips for drive with care everyday

Being car considerate shouldn’t stop after the break-in. Drive with care every day and your car will reward you with longer intervals without repair.

  • Do not race your car’s engine during start-up.This is a quick way to add years of wear to your engine, especially if it’s cold outside.
  • Accelerate slowly when you begin your drive.The most wear to the engine and drive train occurs in the first ten to twenty minutes of operation.
  • Warming the engine by letting it idle in the driveway is not a smart idea.The engine doesn’t operate at its peak temperature, resulting in incomplete fuel combustion, soot deposits on cylinder walls, oil contamination, and ultimately damaged components.
  • Put less strain on your engine and automatic transmission by shifting to neutral at red lights. Otherwise, the engine is still working to push the car even while it’s stopped.
  • Avoid driving at high speeds and accelerating quickly, especially when it’s very hot or very cold outside. Such driving behavior will result in more frequent repairs.
  • Extend the life of your tires with careful driving. Observe posted speed limits. Avoid fast starts, stops, and turns. Avoid potholes and objects on the road. Don’t run over curbs or hit the tire against the curb when parking. And, of course, don’t burn rubber.
  • When turning your steering wheel, don’t hold it in an extreme right or left position for more than a few seconds. Doing so can damage the power-steering pump.
  • Consolidate your short driving trips. Most of the wear and tear — as well as the pollution your car generates — takes place in the first few minutes of driving. Doing several errands at once, during low traffic hours if possible, will keep your engine happier longer.
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