Taking care of a vehicle isn’t just a vanity thing, it’s a clever way to maintain the value of the vehicle to ensure you get the best price when you eventually sell it on - or hand it back to your dealer.
Here’s some handy tips and advice to help you get the best results when cleaning your vehicle:
Cleaning the exterior
1. Wash when it's cool
Always wash the vehicle out of direct sunlight, when the bodywork is cool. Water evaporates faster in the heat which can leave streaky water marks behind.
2. Don't forget the hidden bits
When washing your vehicle, remember to clean the door, boot, and bonnet shuts. Dirt and water can gather in those areas then dribble out over time onto the freshly cleaned bodywork.
Try using the popular Simoniz Shampoo & Carnauba Wax, available here: https://www.htsspares.com/catalogue/vehicle-trailer/vehicle-cleaning/vehicle-cleaning-chemicals/show/shampoo-carnauba-wax-5-litre-0
3. Use the right cloths
When drying the vehicle, use an absorbent microfibre towel. The popular older style chamois leathers can actually mark paintwork
Shop our microfibre cloths here: https://www.htsspares.com/catalogue/workshop/cleaning-hygiene/cloths-rags/show/microfibre-cloths
4. Check for damage
Once the vehicle is clean and dry, check for damage in the bodywork, we have several bodywork repair products which can be used to fill scratches and repair damage.
Shop the products here: https://www.htsspares.com/catalogue/workshop/consumables/bodywork-repair
5. Leave tyres until the end
Dress your tyres last as tyre dressings often contain silicone - you don’t want to get this on bodywork when you wax it.
Shop our tyre dressing foam here: https://www.htsspares.com/catalogue/vehicle-trailer/vehicle-cleaning/vehicle-cleaning-chemicals/show/tyre-dressing
Cleaning the interior
1. Clean glass in two directions
When cleaning and drying your car’s windows, it’s hard to avoid those streaks that can appear on either the outside or the inside of the glass. There is a simple trick which can help - try drying the exterior glass in one direction and the interior in another (horizontal and vertical for instance). In doing this, you’ll be able to tell whether the streak is on the outside or inside of the car by the direction it’s facing — so you can correct the problem area without causing any more streaks!
2. Clean the very tops of the windows
You can avoid unwanted smears by winding down the windows to clean the very top part of the glass. Excess product can build up in that area, resulting in streaks, drips and other marks.
We offer a great glass cleaner, available here: https://www.htsspares.com/catalogue/workshop/cleaning-hygiene/cleaning-chemicals/show/glass-cleaner-0
3. Use static electricity on carpets
Carpet fibres trap all sorts of dust, dirt and other bits, making it difficult to remove them when vacuuming. One tip to help remove these stubborn bits is to use static electricity to draw the bits upwards and out of the fibres, so they can be easily removed with a hoover. Do this by simply using a latex glove and gently rubbing your hand across the surface of the carpet. The friction will generate static, and pull the bits upwards for easier removal.
Shop our latex gloves here: https://www.htsspares.com/catalogue/safety-and-ppe/ppe/gloves/show/latex-palm-gloves-0
4. Brush the carpet before vacuuming
Another great tip to get rid of annoying bits is to (very gently) brush the carpet with a stiff nylon brush. This will agitate the carpet fibres, making it easier to remove the bits with a vacuum. Just be careful to not rub too hard, you don’t want to damage the upholstery.
Shop our popular assortment of brushes here: https://www.htsspares.com/catalogue/vehicle-trailer/vehicle-cleaning/brushes/show/assorted-scratch-brush-0
5. Use a air con sanitiser to clean and de-odorise
If your vehicle no longer has that ‘new car’ scent, use an air-con sanitiser to give it a good clean and a freshen up. We stock a great Air-Con Sanitiser which is proven to kill a broad range of bacteria, fungus and yeasts while leaving a pleasant and long lasting aroma. Suitable for any automotive vehicle with an air conditioning system fitted.
Shop the product here: https://www.htsspares.com/catalogue/vehicle-trailer/vehicle-cleaning/vehicle-cleaning-chemicals/show/air-con-sanitiser-aerosols
6. Apply seat covers and floor mats
To protect the interior of the vehicle once it has been cleaned, you can use disposable seat covers and floor mats to prolong the life of the seats and carpets.
Our disposable floor mats and seat covers are currently on offer here: https://www.htsspares.com/catalogue/offers/seat-covers-floor-mats-august-offers
7. Keep on top of it
For a quick touch up between deep cleans you could us ArmorAll Dashboard Wipes which are specifically designed to clean, shine and protect the surface leaving a glossy finish, ideal for cleaning all plastic and vinyl dashboards.
Available here: https://www.htsspares.com/catalogue/vehicle-trailer/vehicle-cleaning/vehicle-cleaning-chemicals/show/armorall-dashboard-wipes-0
Or you could use cockpit shine, a fast shining dashboard renovator with a long lasting cherry fragrance, ideal for plastic, vinyl, rubber & wood.
Available here: https://www.htsspares.com/catalogue/workshop/consumables/workshop-chemical/workshop-sprays/show/cockpit-shine-cherry-fragrance-0
