All Purpose Cleaners (APC)

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A staple in any detailers arsenal, all purpose cleaners may seem self-explanatory but there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to choosing the right one. It’s important to understand how to correctly dilute and safely use them too, so here’s some professional help. What Are Car All Purpose Cleaners? All purpose cleaners, commonly referred to as APCs, are alkaline chemicals designed to clean almost every surface on a car. They’re typically used on exterior plastic and rubber surfaces like engines, wheel arches, tyres and grilles because these porous surfaces require more effort to clean than relatively non-porous paint and glass. It’s not as simple as one size fits all so usually you’ll need to dilute a concentrated formula to suit the particular surface you’re cleaning. Handily, you’ll almost always find the recommended dilution ratios on the back of the bottle. Some all purpose cleaners are safe to use on a cars interior when diluted heavily, while some brands have specific APCs designed for interior cleaning. It’s important to neutralise the residue that’s left behind by these alkaline cleaners to avoid staining when the surface dries, so rinse thoroughly with water or use plenty of damp cloths to wipe away the residue. Why Use Car All Purpose Cleaners? When you need something stronger than car shampoo , an all purpose cleaner spray is usually what you’ll turn to next. They’re effective at tackling heavy dirt build up on any surface and have the versatility of allowing you to dilute it as much or as little as necessary. An all purpose cleaner for car exteriors is also a safer, less aggressive option than a degreaser. When used in a strong dilution, APCs are capable of deep cleaning neglected parts and can be diluted down for gentle maintenance cleaning. Most all purpose cleaners produce a white lather which becomes discoloured as the dirt is released from the surface. This colour change is a useful indicator for when the surface is clean, which can otherwise