Keeping your Vehicle looking Good as New

One of the greatest joys of driving your new car off the lot is that  fresh "new car smell" - the pride of a new car is irreplaceable.  However, many people find that only a few weeks later, the new car smell is replaced by the aroma of  fast food, coffee spills, sticky candy, dog hair, juice bottles and a mystery scent that is yet to be revealed.

So how do you keep your new (or new to you) vehicle looking and smelling its very best? Here are a few tips on how to clean and detail your car like a pro!!

1. Ink stains may seem like one of the hardest stains to remove, but a simple item from your toiletries or your spice rack may do the trick!  Try using hairpspray - dampen the area with the spray and blot - repeat as you watch the stain lift away.  Another solution is salt - many times salt will lift the stain right out of the carpet.  Allow the salt to sit on the stain until it is absorbed and then simply brush it away.
2. Greasy stains can usually be removed from carpet by rubbing on paint thinner* with a clean 100% cotton cloth. Then cover the remaining stain with salt until the last of the grease is absorbed and then vacuum.  You can also use cornmeal by allowing it to sit overnight and vacuuming the next day. (* please be sure to test your carpet  in a discrete area for colorfastness.)
3. Coffee spills should be diluted with cool water immediately and blotted with paper towels to remove the majority of the stain.  Once the area dries, use a glass cleaner to soak the area.  Allow the cleaner to sit for 5 mins and blot.  The glass cleaner will not leave a soapy residue like many carpet cleaners.
4. Blood stains are best removed if they are covered immediately with cold water.   If you have dry laundry starch available, create a paste with water and cover the stain - allow the paste to dry and brush or vacuum. 
5. General carpet/upholstery stains can be removed with a solution of 1 gallon of hot water, dish detergent and a cup of white vinegar.  Use a hard bristle brush to work the solution into your carpet and stains, allow it to sit for 30 mins and then blot with towels.  
6. Vinyl seats stains can be quickly cleaned with baking soda and a damp rag. The baking soda is gentle but provides just enough of a gritty texture to remove stains.  After cleaning with baking soda, rinse with a solution of dish washing detergent and water.  
7. Carpet Smells can be eliminated by sprinkling 20-Mule Team Borax.  Allow the borax to sit for about an hour and then vacuum the scent away.   A second application will kill fleas and their eggs if you have a furry friend that travels with you!
8. Dirty Mats will be a breeze to clean if you wax them with a liquid shoe wax polish. 

We hope these tips will help you keep your new vehicle or pre-owned vehicle in the best shape possible.  Talk to the Team at Hulett Chevrolet Buick GMC when you are ready to drive off the lot that fresh "new car smell" - we have a large inventory of new and pre-owned vehicles for you to choose from!!

The Team at Hulett Chevrolet Buick GMC

513 N. Business Route 5
Camdenton, MO  65020
www.ShopHulett.com
Sales: 573.317.4197
Service:  573.317.4195