Give Dad a clean car for Father’s Day

If your dad is like most, he likes a clean car, but has a hard time finding the time to wash it.

Getting it detailed for him, doing it yourself, or better yet doing it with him would make a great gift this Father’s Day. You don’t even need to spend hours scrubbing carpets and polishing the dashboard to spruce things up. All it takes is a little time and elbow grease, and the right products. You’ll have it looking like new in no time– or close to it.

Exterior cleaning tips
Fill two buckets with water, one for washing and one for rinsing. Use a specialized car-washing soap in the wash water, not dish soap, which will strip the wax off the paint. Wash and rinse the exterior in sections, so the soap doesn't dry before you rinse. Don't wash it in hot weather or in direct sunlight to reduce scratching and avoid water spots.

Rinse all surfaces with free-flowing water (not a nozzle) to remove any abrasive dirt before washing.

Sponge along panels to avoid swirls, and use a separate sponge for the wheels. Clean from the roof down, leaving the dirtiest parts for last. Rinse the sponge frequently to reduce the risk of scratches.

Use a chamois, soft towels, or a micro-fiber cloth to dry.

Interior cleaning tips
Pull out all the loose trash and debris from the interior. This alone should make Dad a happier camper.

Pull out the floor mats, which can be more easily and effectively cleaned in the driveway. Hang carpeted floor mats and beat them to loosen sand and dirt.

Vaccuum the mats, carpets, and cargo section, and use the narrowest attachment on a canister vacuum to get into hard-to reach corners. If your mats are really grungy, rent a carpet-shampoo machine. (Rubber or vinyl mats can be washed with soap and water or a concentrate made for car washing.)

Vaccuum surface dirt from the seats, as well, with special attention to the crumb-collecting crevices. For leather seats, use a specialized leather cleaner, and rub it in gently using a damp cloth or upholstery brush. Remove any excess with a clean, damp cloth. Dry with another fresh towel. (To prevent future staining, sit on a towel if you’ve got lotion or sunscreen on.)

For cloth seats, apply a small amount of upholstery or carpet cleaner to a clean, damp towel, and gently rub stains, working inward from the outside to avoid further staining. Don’t get the seats too wet, which can cause mildew.

Wash the windows inside and out with a household glass cleaner. Spray the cleaner directly on the cloth to avoid streaking and getting the cleaner on the upholstery.

A household all-purpose cleaner, applied with a soft cloth, will work just fine for dashboard, rubber door moldings, and interior trim. For a professional-looking job, clean tight areas such as air vents, panel seams, and radio buttons with a dampened soft toothbrush, cotton swab, or small paintbrush. Don’t forget to clean the safety-belt buckles, change drawer, glove compartment, and ashtray. Avoid using petroleum-based cleaners that promise a deep gloss on plastics. They can leave surfaces slippery, with a greasy feel.

Auto parts stores sell kits of car-washing supplies to either get you started or can make a nice gift.

And remember to get Dad a card while you’re shopping, so he knows who went to all the effort to make sure he had a great Father’s Day.

If you need more ideas, check out new GPS navigators for Dads and grads.

Learn more about car care and related products.

—Eric Evarts