Spring car-care feature
After a hard winter on the road, it’s time to get your car looking good. We join Halfords’ experts to reveal 30 of the essential jobs...
Road grime is difficult to avoid during the winter months. Even if you drive for only a few miles, your car can get filthy. So now spring is here, it’s time to shift that film of dirt. Auto Express’s Spring Car Care Special tells you how to do it properly – and names the products that will make it easier.
Of course, you could pay the professionals to do it – but you don’t have to. By taking your time and cleaning your car in a methodical manner, you too can achieve that just valeted look.
We took a tired Citroen Saxo to Halfords to try its new valeting service, run by nationwide car cleaning firm Shine!. And having watched every step, we compiled 30 of the experts’ tips.
What surprised us was that there were no gimmicks or costly gadgets to do the job. A bucket load of effort, some everyday cleaning products and a simple plan is all that was required.
The Shine! team relies on Autoglym car care products, including shampoo, degreaser, rinse agent, polish, plastic conditioner, plus glass, interior and wheel cleaners, as well as tyre shine.
A pressure washer is another essential, as is a standard vacuum cleaner with hose, two synthetic leathers (one for inside, one for out), detail and stiff interior brushes, two microfibre cloths and paper towel. A powered
polisher is optional; elbow grease will suffice.
TOP TIPS
1. BAY WATCH
Plan where you’re cleaning. You need wet and dry areas – so after washing, you can shift the car forward and avoid getting wet knees. Park one foot away from the kerb and clear of trees to stop branches or sap landing on your bodywork.
2. TAKE YOUR TIME
A proper valet takes three to four hours – if you rush the job, you’ll make a hash of it. Avoid the midday sun as water will dry too quickly and streak; early morning or late afternoon is best.
3. CLEAR OUT
Remove belongings from the car. Empty all the door bins and glovebox so there’s nothing in your way – it’s impossible to clean properly with clutter everywhere.
4. BE PREPARED
Wear old clothes you don’t mind getting dirty and a pair of Wellington boots. Change out of the boots after washing as slippery shampoo residue can cling to soles. A pair of nitrile gloves is essential to protect your hands.
5. PLAN OF ATTACK
Inspect the car inside and out, noting any problem areas. That way, you can source the products needed for the job, and won’t have to stop halfway through. Once you have done that, lay out the kit you’ll be using on newspaper on the floor. You don’t want to be hunting in the garage for a cloth while your car is left unlocked in the road. This will also prevent utensils picking up grit that can scratch paintwork.
6. BACK TO MAT
Remove car mats and clean them first so they have time to dry. Use a rubber conditioner on the edges and a spray-on carpet dye (available at Halfords) to get the material looking as good as new. Apply the conditioner sparingly on the front mats to stop the solution transferring from your foot to pedals.
7. ACID TEST
Spray wheel cleaner on your rims, working around the car, as this gives the solution time to work. Agitate with a stiff brush for around 30 seconds per wheel, then rinse off. Don’t leave the solution on too long.
8. LEVEL MEASURE
Fill a bucket with water and add the shampoo manufacturer’s recommended amount – don’t be tempted to add any more. Warm water is preferred because it’s nicer to work with, but cold will do the job just as well.
9. PRE-SPRAY
Add a double dose of car shampoo to water in a spray bottle and apply to really dirty spots, such as the wheels, under the arches, plus inside the door edges and bootlid. Then work around these areas with a soft brush to agitate the dirt.
10. WASH DOWN
Now it’s time to use the sponge. Wash from the roof down, moving to the bonnet and then along a wing, around the back to the other side. It’s important you don’t let the shampoo dry – so work quickly!
11. UNDER PRESSURE
Set your jet washer on a fan spray and rinse from the bottom up. This stops detergent streaking down the side of the car, and also means the shampoo will be doing its job right to the last minute.
12. SEAL IT
Use the pressure washer to clean window seals close-up, to banish mould. Open the doors and clean the sills carefully with the spray – with the fan setting close-up, you’ll be surprised how easy it is to do without getting the interior wet.
13. AFTER RINSE
Shine! applies Autoglym Autogloss Rinse to help the water bead after rinsing. It’s sprayed all over the car and can halve drying times, because the water simply runs off the paintwork for you.
14. RUB DOWN
Using your chamois leather – whether it’s synthetic or natural is down to personal preference – dry from the bottom up. If you start on the sides, it stops you leaning on wet panels when you tackle the roof. Dry all the windows and door sills as you go.
15. MOVE ON
Now, it’s time to pull the car forward into the dry work space – but as you do this, take the vehicle for a quick spin around the block to dry off those nooks and crannies you failed to reach. Give it a final once-over with the chamois when you return.
16. VAC ATTACK
Using a stiff brush, work from the front seats forward with a vacuum cleaner. The brush will help bring dirt to the surface and make it easier to suck up. To clean between the front seats, pull them all the way forward and climb in the back – this will give you much better access.
17. IN THE DETAIL
A long-handled radiator brush from a DIY store will get between the windscreen and the dash. Wrap electrical tape around the metal part to stop it scratching. Ready a paintbrush in the same way to use on vents and other awkward areas.
18. HEAD LINERS
Spray a fabric cleaner on to the headlining, taking care not to get the material too wet, otherwise it will sag. Brush down the whole area quickly and then dry off with the interior chamois leather. Use the same technique for the seats.
19. SHINE TIME
Spray down the dash and other plastics with interior cleaner, then wipe clean with the chamois. Use a conditioning product if you want a high shine and buff with a soft cloth. Tar remover is good for getting scuffs off door panels.
20. SEE CLEARLY
Tackle windows inside and out with a glass cleaner and kitchen towel. Drop them by an inch to clean the area which remains under the seal when they are closed. But make sure you leave the car to dry completely before putting the windows down, otherwise they’ll streak.
21. WIPE OUT
Many drivers don’t realise you need to clean your wiper blades regularly, and it can often make a huge difference to their performance. Using some paper towel and glass cleaner, rub them firmly from top to bottom – you’ll be shocked at the dirt that comes off.
22. MASKED MOMENT
If you get polish on black bumpers or trim, it’s a real pain to remove as the chalky residue sticks in the grain. So mask off trim and bumpers with tape first.
23. WAX ON
Apply polish to one panel at a time with a cellulose sponge. A pound coin-sized squirt should be enough for a whole panel. Work it on in circular motions.
24. WAX OFF
Use two microfibre cloths at once to remove the polish in circular motions. This helps you work quicker, and also stops you touching the paintwork with greasy hands.
25. POWER TOOL
If you’re pressed for time, a powered polisher can really help get the job done quickly. A 12V version is fine – again, work in circular motions, and do a panel at a time.
26. BLACK MAGIC
Treat the black bumpers and trim panels with rubber conditioning agent. This will help the look last longer. Apply liberally, and then rub in with a soft cloth.
27. THAT SEALS IT
Rubber door seals can stick to the frame in winter, so apply conditioner to them, too. Add grease to the door hinges, then wipe aerials with WD-40 to stop corrosion.
28. GETTING TYRED
As a finishing touch, spray tyre shine on to your rubber and wipe off. Pull car forward a few inches to make sure you treat the rubber all the way around.
29. LOAD OF HOT AIR
You don’t want to sit on damp seats, so while you’re polishing, close the windows and run the heaters for half an hour to dry. And when you park up for the night, drop the windows a bit to prevent condensation building up.
30. CLEAN TEAM
After admiring your hard work, it’s important to put your products away properly. Allow chamois leathers to dry naturally and store cloths where they won’t pick up grit. Also, remember to dispose of any cleaning materials safely.
Contacts
Halfords: 0845 762 6625, www.halfords.com
Shine!: 0800 0321 067, www.taketheweekendoff.com
