Cleaning a vintage car is slightly different from cleaning a newer model. Vintage cars have older interior and exterior elements, which means that you need a gentle touch and the right supplies to get the job done. Of the cleaning products you choose, the way you clean your vehicle is just as important. As you prepare to get your Roadster ready to impress the crowd, there are a few tips you should know.
Interior care
No matter what you clean on the interior of your vehicle, whether it is upholstery or carpets, you must vacuum the interior of the vehicle completely before you start cleaning. Debris such as dirt and sand left behind can discolor or damage your interior if it is rubbed in during the cleaning process. Vacuum the inside of your car thoroughly before you start.
Leather Interior
Cleaning the leather interior is a three-step process. You start with a neutral soap, which you work into a cloth with lukewarm water. Gradually clean the surface of your leather with delicate circular movements and do not let the soap sit on the leather for long.
Once you have worked the soap in and all the stains are removed, use a clean cloth rinsed in lukewarm water to remove the remaining soap residue. After the soap residue is removed, use a dry cloth to finish the job.
Cloth Interior
When it comes to fabric in vintage cars, colorless, volatile cleaning agents are usually the best approach. Synthetic detergents and neutral soaps also work, but they run the risk of discolouring your fabric. Even if you are using a colorless volatile cleaner, you should still test it in a small and inconspicuous place to ensure that it does not discolor the fabric.
It is important that the cleaner works with the fabric Interior and to avoid rubbing it too hard. Rubbing the interior, weakens the material and leads to tears. Gentle, circular movements with a soft cloth do the trick.
Exterior Care
When it comes to protecting your old car’s exterior, one of the best solutions is to use a natural Carnauba wax. The News Wheel notes it’s important to wash and wax during the winter months where water and salt deposits are especially prevalent. These types of waxes have chemicals in them, and they can help to emphasize the color of the Exterior of your classic car. It also aids in water beading as it makes the surface hydrophobic.
The Exterior Wash
If there is one thing that’s important in a classic car, it’s that you should never run a classic car through a car wash. Your car should be washed with a soft cloth by hand and then dried with a chamois leather. Only use a detergent-free soap and use only cleaners made from natural ingredients.
Scuffs or Marks
It may happen that you get a Scuff or a mark on the exterior of your classic car. If this happens, simply apply an additional treatment of detergent-free soap to the affected area with the soft cloth. Rubbing on the mark can remove it, but it may also damage the paint. Let the cleaner do it’s job and it will remove the scuff in no time.
Lastly, if you don’t feel like you can do a proper job yourself, it’s best to hire a detailing professional to get the job done.