Exterior Cleaning
The products to clean and condition these surfaces are grouped together because using the same products for multiple porous surfaces (rubber and plastic) and non porous surfaces (metal and engine compartment paint). Wherever possible will save you money and storage space without compromising the quality of the results.
Cleaning the Wheels:
The first step in washing your vehicle will normally be to clean the wheels,
tires and wheel wells. This is an extremely important step, since brake dust,
if allowed to remain on the wheel surface, can permanently bond with and etch
the surface.
The wheel cleaning process uses two cleaning solutions, brushes and a separate bucket and mitt, if possible. This is required to dissolve the brake dust that accumulates on the wheel surface. Follow the directions provided by the manufacturer of the wheel cleaner and use a brush or brushes that have either a wood or plastic handle if possible. There is the potential for chipping or scratching with a metal brush. Dip your brush in the shampoo solution when removing the wheel cleaner and make sure that you do not allow the wheel cleaning solution to dry on the wheel and tire surface. Many of these cleaning solutions will etch the wheel, if allowed to dry without rinsing, so thoroughly spray both the wheels and the wells with water.
Cleaning the Engine
The first step is to remove the debris that you will find in the channels of
the body, hood and the grill openings. If you have compressed air available,
this is the best way to accomplish this job. If you do not, then use your hands
and/or a brush to clean out these channels. The next step is to cover all electrical
connections with either plastic film or baggies. The connections that I am referring
to are sensors, distributor, spark plug openings and any electrical devices
that have the potential to have water accumulate and cause a short. Use tape
to seal the plastic surrounding these connections to prevent water from reaching
the device.
When the engine compartment has been prepared, you are ready to completely wet down the fenders, grill, top and bottom of the hood/deck lid and the entire engine compartment. A pressure washer is beneficial, but not necessary. It is very important to thoroughly wet down all painted surfaces that surround the engine compartment, since the solution that you will use for cleaning has the strength to strip the protective coatings on these surfaces. If these surfaces are dry there is also the possibility that the surface can be discolored by the degreasing product and additional time and effort would be required to correct this problem.
The cleaner/degreaser is packaged in two different strength levels - diluted (ready to use) and undiluted. If the product is undiluted, carefully read the instructions regarding the ratio of product to water. We recommend either a pressure tank sprayer or a spray bottle for application of the diluted product. The product works most effectively when all of the surfaces to be cleaned have received a thorough soaking. When the product has been sprayed, wash any excess off the exterior painted surfaces of the fenders, hood and grill. Depending on the amount of accumulated grease, the amount of time that the product should be allowed to stay on the engine components should be no more than two to three minutes (see the instructions on the container). For light to mild levels of grease, there will probably not be any need for use of a brush on the engine and other surfaces. For heavy soil, you can use a long handled brush and car wash solution to provide an additional cleaning action prior to removal of the degreasing solution.
When you are ready to remove the product, you should completely soak down the entire compartment and the surrounding surfaces. If you use a pressure washer be careful that you do not get the nozzle too close to the covered electrical connectors. Allow the surfaces to air dry for several minutes before proceeding to use a towel to absorb any large amounts of water that has accumulated. The heat from the engine assists the drying process. Use of the towel will speed up the process and set the stage for the next step.
When the compartment has dried, you are ready to spray on the rubber and plastic conditioner. You will find that these products will be very easy to use with either a spray bottle or an aerosol container and you do not need to use any great amount of care in the way that you saturate the compartment. We recommend that you use a two or three inch trim brush to spread the product out over the surfaces of the engine components as the final step. This will produce an even and consistent level of coverage and smooth final appearance.
Conditioning Rubber and Plastic:
There are two primary factors to consider in providing protection for exterior
rubber and plastic surfaces. These factors, UV light and ozone, should be taken
into consideration in your product evaluation and selection process, since both
of these items shorten the life and degrade the appearance of these surfaces.
When selecting a product, look at the ingredients and see whether there is an indication that UV screening is incorporated in it's composition. The products that have these ingredients are going to be consistently more expensive, but they will also increase the life of the surface.
There are many products that are designed to provide conditioning that have silicone as an ingredient. Many of the manufacturers will advertise that the use of silicone is one of the most important aspects of the conditioning action. There is a great deal of controversy regarding silicone as a component in both non porous and porous surface conditioning. Although there has not been any definitive study of the effects of silicone on rubber, there are many people that believe that it will dissolve certain components in the rubber and cause cracking.
Use of an applicator or a brush (3 in.) will simplify and provide for consistent coverage in the job of reaching into the cracks and crevices where rubber trim provides the seal for Hoods, doors and deck lids. The same tools will also minimize the overlap between the painted surface and the bumpers or trim strips. This reduces the time that is required to assure you do not leave your products for either surface on the opposite one.
Depending on the type of paint surface product (wax of polymer), there can be a benefit to applying the rubber and plastic conditioner after applying the wax or polymer and before removing it. The benefit is that you are able to remove both at the same time and you can see where you need to take any extra care for thorough removal. Use a stiff, short horsehair bristle brush to clean up any residue.