Summer is the season of road trips, beach days, and outdoor adventures. And while these activities create many lasting memories, they also leave your car in need of some serious TLC. From sand in the carpets to bug splatters on the windshield, your vehicle likely collected its fair share of grime over the past few months. As the temperatures cool and you start preparing for fall, now is the perfect time to give your car the deep cleaning and seasonal reset it deserves.
This comprehensive guide from Parts Via will spotlight a few top-rated automotive cleaning products, walk you through the process of post-summer car care, and help you restore your ride to its pristine condition.
Important Advice Before Using Car Cleaning Products
Chances are you are not new to washing your car. Typically, a seasoned vehicle owner has their own routine and preferred products but if you are new to this, or just want to do a better job, here is a brief point of order to know and understand before you get started.
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Test Before You Commit: Before applying any new cleaning product to your vehicle, perform a spot test in an inconspicuous area. This helps ensure that the cleaner won't cause discoloration, damage, or any adverse reactions.
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Always Read the Label: Cleaning products have different instructions for care and use. Carefully read the product label to make sure you understand its application methods, drying times, and any warnings.
- Choose the Right Tools: If you find that wiping alone isn’t achieving the desired results, consider using a detail brush. These look like a makeup application brush or something you might see in the hands of an artist. A detail brush can help to agitate the cleaner, allowing it to penetrate deeper into fabrics or tight spots, which is especially useful for stubborn dirt and grime.
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Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Avoid cleaners with harsh chemicals that can strip away protective coatings, damage paint, or cause fading over time. Opt for pH-balanced, vehicle-specific cleaners to maintain your car’s finish.
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Consider the Environment: When washing your car, be aware of where the runoff goes. Choose biodegradable and eco-friendly products whenever possible to reduce the environmental impact, particularly if you’re cleaning your vehicle in your driveway or another area where the runoff may seep into the ground.
Post-summer car cleaning can feel a bit overwhelming—especially if you’ve been off-roading or tackling tough terrain all season long—but taking it one task at a time makes the process more manageable. Focus on one area, whether that’s one window, one tire, or one seat cushion, and move at a steady pace to avoid burning out.
Kick Off with an In-Depth Exterior Wash
The first step in deep cleaning your vehicle after summer is a good, thorough exterior wash. Summer can leave your car covered in dirt and grime, along with all kinds of organic matter like pollen, bug remnants, and bird droppings. These contaminants can damage your car’s finish if not promptly cleaned. Start by inspecting your vehicle to identify areas that need attention, and then plan to address each issue one at a time.
Pre-Rinse: Begin by spraying the entire car with water to remove dust and dirt. If you have a pressure washer, this would be beneficial but not absolutely necessary.
- Apply Foam Soak: Next, use a foam cannon to apply a thick layer of soap over your vehicle. This step is crucial for loosening and breaking up heavy grime and dirt without the need for harsh scrubbing. The foam encapsulates the dirt, making it easier to rinse away. If you don't have a foam cannon, there is no time like the present to pick one up—the Griots Garage Car Wash Foam Cannon is very affordable and makes washing a vehicle fast and fun.
- Post-Soak Rinse: After the foam soak, rinse the vehicle again to thoroughly remove soapy residue and grime.
- Undercarriage Cleaning: Summer road trips often leave this vulnerable area covered in dirt, mud, and road grime. Use a pressure washer with an undercarriage attachment to thoroughly clean beneath your vehicle. This not only removes grime but also prepares the chassis for winter, helping to prevent rust and corrosion.
- Soap & Wash: Once the foam has done its job, follow up with a dedicated car wash soap. A product like Meguiar’s Car Wash Mitt, paired with a purposeful car wash shampoo like Meguiar’s Gold Class Liquid Car Wash will do wonders cleaning, conditioning, and preserving your vehicle's expensive finish all in one easy step. For troublesome build-up, consider a focused spot cleaning with a product like Turtle Wax’s Bug & Tar Remover.
- Clean Rinse: After a good and complete car wash, make sure to rinse off the exterior again. For best results, a product like Griots Garage Water Spot Remover will help, or you can cut out a few steps and use Griots Garage Rinseless Wash to start with.
- Compressed Air for Detail Work: After rinsing, use compressed air to blow out water trapped in hard-to-reach areas, such as side mirrors, door handles, and crevices. This prevents water spots and ensures a thorough drying process.
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Dry and Protect: At this point, you are ready to dry down the vehicle. Use clean and soft microfiber towels to keep the finish safe from streaks, scratches, and lint transfer.
Don’t have some of this special car care equipment? Don’t worry—your local car wash station can help. Start there with a pocketful of quarters, thoroughly cleaning the exterior, vacuuming up the inside, and removing the heavy grime, gum, and gunk. Then head home for the meticulous work.
Step Into A Revitalized Interior
After months of summer fun, your car’s interior will be in need of deep cleaning to remove dust, sand, food crumbs, and other debris. To restore that fresh, clean feeling inside your vehicle, consider these tips.
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Dislodge Dust & Dirt: Sometimes, things have to get worse before they get better. For a next-level clean, we recommend using compressed air to blow out dust from tight spaces like air vents, console gaps, and between seat cushions. This will momentarily make more of a mess, but it will also dislodge debris so it’s easier to vacuum up.
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Suck It Up: Start by vacuuming the carpets, seats, and upholstery, making sure to get into those tight spaces where crumbs and trash like to hide. We recommend a handheld vacuum cleaner with brush and crevice tool attachments. Don’t forget about the trunk or cargo area, and if you made use of the compressed air, you might want to run the vacuum over the headliner too.
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Sweat the Small Stuff: Cotton swabs, detailing brushes, and even soft toothbrushes are all great for getting at the micro-particles lying deep in between any seams. Additionally, those globs of gel for car detailing are not just a gimmick. They actually work well, and you can make them at home with Elmer's glue, baking soda, and contact lens cleaner.
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Clean It Up: Wipe all interior surfaces with a microfiber cloth and a quality cleaning spray like 303 Multi-Purpose Cleaner. This will help remove any sticky residue or dust that has settled over the summer. Follow up with a product like 303 Vinyl Protectant to safeguard your dashboard and other plastic surfaces from fading and cracking.
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Scrub It Down: For fabric seats and upholstery in need a deep cleaning, consider using a product like Griots Garage Carpet Cleaner. This high-foaming, fast-drying formula penetrates deep into fabrics, lifting out embedded dirt and stains. For leather surfaces, use a specialized cleaner and conditioner such as the Griots Garage 3-in-1 Leather Conditioner to keep the material supple and prevent cracking.
- Make It Shine: Clean the inside panels of your windows, front and back windshields, and mirrors with a glass cleaner to remove smudges and fingerprints. This step is essential for maintaining clear visibility and that polished look. Mothers Revision Glass Cleaner is perfect for the job.
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Keep It Fresh: Summer adventures often lead to lingering odors in your car. Whether it’s from beach days, spilled drinks, or sweaty gym clothes, you can freshen up your car’s interior by using an odor eliminator or air freshener. Ensure to clean out any trash or old food items that could be contributing to the smell.
Stay Classy, Shiny, And Bright with Parts Via
Remember, post-summer car care is about more than just aesthetics—it’s also about maintaining your vehicle’s value and performance. Using the right products, like those available from Parts Via, will ensure that your summer car care routine leaves your vehicle looking and feeling as good as new. So, take it one step at a time, and before you know it, your car will be ready for whatever the cooler months have in store. Happy cleaning!