Car owners often abandon their cars for one reason or another. These vehicles are usually left unattended in parking and other spaces across the region. Governmental authorities notify the car owners and provide them a time to claim their cars. If not, the cars will end up in the abandoned car unit and later sold to interested buyers. Many people are interested in buying abandoned cars in the UAE, as they are sold at a fraction of the actual price.
While most abandoned cars are in working condition, they may require a thorough cleaning before driving. If you also intend to buy such a car, see the following guide to cleaning an abandoned car.
Equipment Required
After purchasing an abandoned car, the first step is to clean these vehicles. Abandoned car wash by a professional can cost you a fortune. Hence, if you are limited on budget, wash it at home using essential car cleaning products. See the following list of equipment you will need to wash an abandoned car at home.
- Detailing brush
- Car scrub
- A car wash (soap/detergent)
- Pressure washer
- Degreaser spray (WD-40)
- Foam car cleaner
Steps of Cleaning an Abandoned Car
Once you have purchased an abandoned car in Dubai or in any other Emirates, it’s time to clean it properly. Here are some steps that will guide you on how to clean an abandoned car properly.
Step 1: Wash the Exterior with Water
The first step in cleaning an abandoned car is to wash the exterior of the car with water. A pressure washer is recommended for this purpose, as it is better at cleaning tough stains at once. However, if you do not have a pressure washer, simply use a hose pipe. Tyres and mud flaps over it should be the main focus while removing dirt from an abandoned car, as most of the dirt is accumulated in this area.
Ensure that water does not penetrate the car’s bonnet or any other electrical equipment.
Step 2: Scrub it with Soap and Detailing Brush
After cleaning the water, it’s time to scrub the exterior. You can use any car washing soap or detergent for this purpose. If you are using soap/detergent, fill a bucket with water, add soap/detergent and shake it to make soapy water. However, if you use foam spray, you can directly apply it to the exterior. Avoid using baric detergent or soap, as it can damage car paint.
Once done with this step, leave the soapy water for five to ten minutes. Now, use your detailing brush to rub the dirt and debris from the car’s exterior. After rubbing the exterior, wash the car with clean water and let it dry.
Step 3: Vacuum the Interior
Before starting the car interior detailing, remove the car seats and mats. Now, sweep the base and get rid of larger dirt particles. You can use any car vacuum cleaner, first vacuum with the multi-angle brush to vacuum the car’s base and crevice nozzle for hard-to-reach areas.
Step 4: Use Steam Brush to Remove Tough Stains
After vacuuming, you have prepared the car for the next step which is cleaning the interior. A steam brush is preferred as it can remove tough stains in one wash. However, if you do not have a stem brush, you can use any sort of interior cleaning solution.
For making this solution at home, mix warm water and vinegar in equal portions and add 1 tbsp of baking soda to it. Make sure not to rub it vigorously, as it can damage the car’s interior. If you have tough stains, spray the mixture and leave it for a few minutes before scrubbing.
Step 5: Brush the Mats and Seat Cover
Now, it’s time to clean the mats and seats that were removed before. For mats, simply sprinkle some detergent and rub them for five minutes. After rubbing, wash them with clean water and dry it. Whereas, for the car seat, a pre-step is required for proper cleaning. Use a suction vacuum with a car cleaning nozzle to extract the first layer of dirt and debris from the seat.
After vacuuming, it’s time to rub the seats. For this purpose, you can either use a detergent or the above-mentioned solution. Spray the solution and let it sit for 5 minutes on the seat. Rub it with the help of a scrub brush. For drying, vacuum the seats again with the help of a car cleaning nozzle and let them dry for an hour.
If you face any difficulty in this step, read our guide on car seat cleaning.
Step 6: Rub Away Dirt from Wheels
Tyres and rims accumulate additional dirt as they are in direct contact with the road. To clean the tyres properly, wash them with clean water first. Once the tyres are wet, apply a degreaser or cleaning solution to the tyres and let them sit for a few minutes. When the solution starts dripping, use a soft bristle brush to rub the tyre and a hard bristle brush to rub the rims. Now, rinse it with clean water and dry it with the help of a microfiber cloth.
Step 7: Polish the Car
After following the aforementioned steps to clean an abandoned car, the car is almost clean, and you just need to wax the car for some extra shine. You can use any automobile wax for this purpose. Apply a small amount of wax to the scrub and gently rub it on the car’s exterior in a circular motion. Now, clean it with a microfibre cloth and repeat the process for the interior and exterior of the car.
Tips for Cleaning an Abandoned Car
Here are some tips that will help you to clean an abandoned car effectively.
- Cover the engine with a plastic cover and masking tape to avoid any damage from the water.
- Never opt for washing an engine yourself unless you have some expertise. For a detailed guide, read our guide on how to wash a car engine.
- Avoid using a pressure washer if your car’s paint is damaged already.
- Never use cloth detergent for washing cars, as it can damage the ceramic coating on the car’s exterior.
- Make sure that you are not washing your car in a public place, as it is a punishable offence in Dubai and other Emirates.
These were all the steps required to clean an abandoned car effectively. Abandoned cars are suitable if you want to purchase a car at an affordable price. However, not all abandoned cars are ready to use and may require some mechanical fixing. Therefore, if you want to avoid this hassle, browse through these used cars for sale in the UAE and purchase a ready-to-use car.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top autoblog for more information on abandoned car washes.
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