Published on: 30/08/2021 Updated on: 20/02/2025

Car cleaning after returning from vacation: find out how to do it!

This is it, the vacations are ending again this year and our car will need a nice beauty treatment to get clean and shiny again. Heat, sun rays, salt, resin residues and many other elements, in fact, may have affected the bodywork, but also the interior. With Mafra's tips, car cleaning upon returning from vacation will not be a problem.

Unfortunately, the warm season is coming to an end again, and it is time to prepare for the colder months. Let us also not forget to carry out a proper car cleaning upon returning from vacation, after it has been subjected to various stresses. First and foremost are heat and the sun's rays. The typical elements of this season, if not removed in a timely manner, can create quite a bit of damage to the bodywork and interior parts of the passenger compartment. Here are some practical Mafra tips for car cleaning after returning from vacation!

The typical problems of summer

At this time, the use of the car to get around during the summer vacation is increasingly common. Upon return, unfortunately, there is a need for thorough cleaning and restoration to remove all the accumulated dirt. Let's find out together what are the most common problems we can encounter on our car this season:

• Insects and gnats: in the summer, especially if you drive many miles on the highway, the windshield and front of the car become filled with these residues that, due to their very acidic chemical composition, corrode the clear coat of paint, leaving deep marks. If they are not removed properly, even very expensive restoration work may be necessary.
• Resin: you have undoubtedly happened to park your car under a tree in search of some shade, lest you find your passenger compartment in impossible temperatures only to discover resin residues on the bodywork. These, too, should be promptly removed using specific products.
• Tarry residues: another typical summer problem is the strong overheating of the asphalt with the consequence that tarry residues can be found on the underside of the car, which will then have to be removed during washing.
• Sand on carpets and seats: if you spend your vacation in seaside resorts, it is easy to find sand residue inside the car. This, too, should be removed, vacuuming it well not only from the carpeting and floor mats, but also from the seats, so that it does not penetrate deeply, proving difficult to remove later.
• Dampness on seats: during the summer, it can happen that you sit in the car with a wet bathing suit or with sunscreen still smeared on your skin. This creates organic stains that require car cleaning with products that can remove them. An operation that also requires very precise techniques to avoid making the situation worse.
• Dull dashboard: the continuous UV exposure to which the car dashboard is subjected, in addition to overheating the plastic, can lead to its dulling and the formation of unsightly halos. All this generates premature aging of the plastic. Again, this takes specific techniques and products that can regenerate the plastic, returning it to its original state.

The car wash professionals: always at your service!

If you want to make sure you entrust your car to real car wash professionals when you return from vacation and restore it to its best, use the Autowellness APP, you will be able to locate the nearest carwash center that exclusively uses Mafra products. Take your car to these centers and you will be sure to receive quality service performed with passion and professionalism. You can choose the most suitable center according to your needs.

One consideration: a post-holiday car wash is more complicated and time-consuming than an ordinary car wash, so the professional will take longer to clean the car both inside and out. For this reason, given the longer and more demanding job, he may charge you a small extra fee. We advise you to agree on the price after viewing your car together with him.

Download the App now for:

 

Mafra products are also ideal for DIY enthusiasts!

Go to Mafra Shop to find the right product for your needs and... get to work!

Remember that it also takes elbow grease!

GO TO THE SHOP!

A few tips for getting started

Before proceeding with car cleaning follow these practical tips:

• Never work during the hottest hours of the day or with the car exposed to the sun. The heat makes the products dry too quickly with the risk of leaving unsightly marks on the surface of the bodywork.
• Do not wash the car while the engine is still warm, wait until it has cooled down.
• Always use the 2-bucket method, one dedicated to car shampoo and the other to rinse the cloth or sponge. This way you will prevent any dirt residue remaining that could scratch the surface of the bodywork.
• Always start car washing operations from the top, and before washing the body, take care to clean the rims and tires.
• Be sure to dry the body perfectly without leaving water droplets, which could then create unsightly marks due to limescale.

Beauty treatments for bodywork - The Phases

The most beautiful and isolated places are often reached by driving along dirt roads, resulting in finding all the dust kicked up on the car during the journey. Summer rains can also leave soil residue that, if neglected for too long, dulls the paint and creates marks that are difficult to remove. Not to mention the insects or resin residue that settles on the car. To prevent all this from over time creating problems for your car's bodywork, it is important to wash it thoroughly but following a few precise steps that are essential for a workmanlike job:

1. Decontamination or prewashing
2. Washing
3. Finishing and protection
4. Restoration

1. Decontamination

As anticipated, it is especially in summer that substances are deposited on the bodywork that, if left too long, can affect it, leaving marks that are not easy to remove with a simple car wash.

Just to remedy these problems and carry out a proper car cleaning procedure, it is important to do a thorough prewash before proceeding with the car wash to remove stubborn dirt.

 

To effectively eliminate gnats and insects use Killer: simply spray the product on the surface to be treated, let it act for a few seconds, and then wipe with a dry microfiber cloth. Thanks to its special formulation, it dissolves and eliminates any organic residue, safely, without ruining the treated parts.

 

If, on the other hand, your problem is tarry or sticky residues, left on the bodywork after driving for a long time on hot asphalt or parked under trees, then the perfect product to safely remove them is Deca Flash.

 

HP12 is the ideal product for a cleaning of the lower parts of the car, such as lower pillar, fascias, wheel arches and bumpers. Its powerful degreasing action It quickly dissolves all kinds of dirt. Simply spray it directly onto the part to be cleaned, leave it on for a few seconds and then wipe it off with a dry microfiber cloth, all the dirt accumulated during the summer will dissolve in no time.

 

Rims and tires: details not to be forgotten!

Rims and tires are often overlooked during car cleaning, but precisely because they live in close contact with the road, they are the elements that get dirty most easily. Often then they are the ones that give a distinctive feature to our 4-wheeler. They definitely deserve our attention!

For a cleaning of the rims and tires you can use Rim and Tire Cleaner A dedicated product for cleaning the entire wheel. Thanks to its active foam, promotes greater adhesion of the detergent to vertical surfaces, thus enabling effective cleaning that can dissolve dirt-even the most stubborn-with no risk of corrosion or abrasion. Rim and Tire Cleaner can be used on any type of rim except aluminum or anodized rims. All you have to do is spray the product all over the rim and tire, let it work for a minute, and then rinse with plenty of water. You will see the rim and tire return to shine like new.

To also remove ferrous contamination from the rim and bodywork rely on the decontaminant Fallout that acts quickly and safely on any ferrous residue. The product is highly effective and acid-free. It can be used on any type of steel, light alloy and even chrome and polished rims. Thanks to its innovative formula, it chemically converts and dissolves ferrous residues that have penetrated the paint, creating a purplish solution that can be easily and safely rinsed off. Use it without any problems on bodywork as well, its Perfectly balanced pH Will not ruin your car's paint.

Using Fallout is very simple

Sui circles simply spray it at a distance of about 20 cm and then let it sit for a few minutes, until the foam takes on a reddish coloration. Then rinse with plenty of water, then dry with a microfiber cloth, as Heavy Work.

For a more thorough cleaning of rims use a soft-bristled brush, so you can get deep dirt off even the most hidden and hard-to-reach areas, such as the gaps between spokes.

You can also use Fallout on the bodywork. The advice is first to wash the car and dry, then dispense the product at a distance of 60 cm. so that you have a wide range of action. Wait a few minutes until the product takes on its characteristic purplish color and then proceed with rinsing.

2. Washing

After finishing the decontamination/prewash stage, it is time to proceed to the actual car wash, using shampoo. As mentioned for this step, the suggestion is to use the 2-bucket method: one to dilute the car shampoo in hot water depending on the amount of dirt to be removed, while the other with water only you use to rinse the cloth or sponge. This way you are sure to remove the dirt residue while avoiding scratching the bodywork.

For the product to be used, there are several solutions: Car Wash Shampoo and Wax, a high-performance self-drying agent, and Power Shampoo, a concentrated solution also ideal for matte or wrapped cars.

• Car Wash Shampoo and Wax

Car shampoo combining the shampoo cleansing car to the wax protection, in a unique combination with a surprising effect. The shampoo acts against the most difficult stains and dirt, while the wax ensures easy sliding of the drops on the windshield while also helping the drying phase, which will thus be easier and faster.

• Power Shampoo

Concentrated car shampoo With a high level of foaminess and with function degreaser. Easy to rinse, it saves considerable water and leaves no residue or halos. Thanks to these features, it is perfect for cars with matte varnish, satin or with Wrap films. It can be safely used on the aluminum profiles and on the enameled circles. Being highly concentrated, one bottle is sufficient for up to 30 washes.

The tools for washing

For a workmanlike job, the advice is to use the Double Face Glove, ideal for washing your car by hand and safely. The microfiber glove side at short hair color gray and yellow is designed for cleaning and removing general dirt and stains from the top of the car body such as the windows, windshield, top pillars, hood and sunroof. The second side, in microfiber chenille of blue color is optimal for tackling coarse dirt and removing it from small crevices and all the lower bodywork such as wheel arches, lower pillar, bumpers and fascias, areas where dirt settles most easily.

Thanks to its "easy self clean" technology, the glove will always be clean because the chenille microfiber retains dirt during the car cleaning phase and expels it during the rinsing phase in the bucket with clean water.

Finally, for the drying phase uses Super Dryer the special microfiber cloth with extraordinary capacity ultra absorbent. The cloth is large in size (60x80cm) and can absorb up to 3 1/2 times its weight. Its special composition in superfine microfiber allows better performance in terms of sliding and handling while drying the car. Thanks to its microfiber, the highest quality, Super Dryer retains dirt particles that were not removed during the washing step, preventing the risk of creating micro scratches or swirls in the process of drying. Use the short-hair side to dry the body and the no-hair side to wipe glass, windows, windshield and rear window.

3. Finishing and protection

A good beauty treatment for your car also requires a step for detail finishing and protection to ensure long-lasting autoi cleanliness.

Cleaning of crystals

As for refinishing, start with the glasses and rely on Glass Cleaner, a degreasing detergent capable of removing any grease residue and removing halos, grease stains, fingerprints and all other kinds of stains from windshield, rear window and windows. Simply spray a little product on the glass and go over it with a microfiber cloth, its special formula with active foam will do all the work. In addition, being ammonia-free, does not affect plastics or other parts of the vehicle with which it comes in contact.

Black gum

If you then want to enhance the tire black even more, with a wet effect, Extreme Black by Mafra is the product for you! Its ultra-glossy action gives the rubber a very deep, glossy black color, giving the car an aggressive, super-sporty look. With Microfiber Pad the work will be even more precise and faster: thanks to its back pocket and soft microfiber surface, the product applies evenly, making the operation even easier.

Liquid car wax for protection

To keep your car clean longer, we recommend a treatment with Last Touch Express. It is a liquid car wax which guarantees brilliance with mirror effect. Quick and easy to apply, it creates a thin layer of protection that can keep dirt from taking root for a long time. Last Touch Express is a product without silicones, rich in fine carnauba waxes, which will give your car's bodywork a pleasant silk effect to the touch.

On the dry car, spray the product evenly over the part to be treated in small doses and at a distance of about 20 cm. Avoid overuse and spread the product with a microfiber cloth, finally wipe the surface with another dry cloth or the clean side of the cloth.

4. Restoration

The last step to complete the car cleaning and caring for the car's exterior is to restore those small defects that show up after washing the car, such as micro-scratches and yellowing of polycarbonate headlights.

How to remove small scratches

After washing the bodywork, you might highlight some micro-scratches that were hidden under the patina of dirt. To remove them you can use the Scratch Remover Kit specially designed for this operation. The kit consists of a tube with a sponge applicator to spread the product with maximum precision and a microfiber pad to polish the treated part. Scratch Remover Kit eliminates superficial and light scratches such as those under and around the door handle or small crawls, and softens deeper ones. The product contains special polishing agents that are able to give new shade and shine to the treated part. Quick and easy to use, the kit is suitable for any type of painted surface

Regenerate polycarbonate headlights

Another item that can be less shiny after a car wash are the headlights, particularly those of the front lights made of polycarbonate. This material is much more impact resistant and is now adopted on all cars on the market, but unfortunately it suffers from UV exposure, tending to yellow and dull. A simple car wash is not enough to restore the original shine, a specific treatment is needed. The Kit Regénera Headlights was created precisely to restore the original transparency of headlights and to improve the effectiveness of lights in a simple way, ensuring professional results.

The kit contains:

• Headlight Polisher
• Headlight sealant
• 16 sandpapers in 3 levels of extra fine abrasiveness, 1500, 2500 and 4000
• Polyurethane polishing stand for restoring dull headlights.

Mode of use

• Clean your headlights with Glass Cleaner and use the cloth 1Shine Glass to remove any debris that might scratch the surface during sanding operations.
• Protect the surrounding area with masking tape by carefully going around the perimeter of the lighthouse.
• Sand the surface of the headlamp, starting with the most abrasive paper, the 1500 paper, and always keeping the surface moist and well lubricated. Work in longitudinal (never circular) strokes if possible parallel to the curvature of the headlight. Continue sanding, until the coarsest defects are removed, then, dry and check the homogeneity of the surface. Go to the intermediate 2500 grit, still wet, and sand in opposite motions from before to remove marks from previous passes. Dry again and switch to the finer 4000 grit paper.
• Apply headlight polish with 1Shine Exterior, spread the polish in circular motions, applying a fair amount of pressure, and then remove any excess with a cloth. Repeat polishing until the surface is clear and even.
• Apply the sealant after cleaning the lighthouse with Glass Cleaner. To apply the sealant, use a microfiber cloth such as Heavy Work trying to get an even coat, spreading the product with longitudinal movements. Let it dry thoroughly and repeat if necessary.

[foogallery id=”9472″]

Interior Beauty Treatments - The Phases

In summer, it is not only the bodywork that is subjected to various stresses but also the interior requires a specific car cleaning treatment to remove any organic contamination and dirt of various kinds. Specific steps must also be followed for car interior cleaning to achieve a professional result:

1. Suction
2. Fabric and Leather Cleaning
3. Plastics Protection
4. Glass Cleaning
5. Sanitation.

1. Suction

Before carrying out any car interior cleaning operation, it is absolutely essential to proceed with the 'suction of all surfaces. This will remove the coarsest dirt, preventing stains or haloes from forming with the use of car interior cleaning products. Use a vacuum cleaner powerful enough to suck up any dirt you may have brought into the car such as sand, soil and any pet hair. For the animal hair you can help yourself with the Hair Removal Brush which, thanks to its soft rubber bristles, manages to remove pet hair from seats, cushions and carpets quickly and easily without ruining surfaces.

2. Fabric and Leather Cleaning

Seat cleaning

For cleaning fabric seats, the ideal is. 3in1 Fabric Treatment, a product with an active cleaning formula that does not wet the treated surface so as not to create the unpleasant damp effect, especially when overdosing. 3in1 Fabric Treatment can be used on any type of fabric, even to clean theAlcantara, and thanks to its action the seats of your car will be cleaned, spotted and completely renewed.

If, on the other hand, your car has the seats and other components such as the steering wheel and the knob gearbox leather then the product to use is 3in1 Skin Treatment. Summer is a dangerous enemy for leather upholstery, so it is important to take care of it to prevent aging. Based on. Aloe Vera and fine natural waxes, 3in1 Skin Treatment guarantees a preventive action Against the formation of wrinkles and cracks, reviving and softening leather fabrics for a cleaning of long duration.

Car interior cleaning in a ... Flash!

During the vacations, fabrics are more prone to staining from sunscreen or drinks consumed in the car. Here, too, Mafra has a solution for quick and effective action: Flash. Dry cleaner that can be used on all types of fabrics, ideal not only for seats but also for cloth mats. The innovative formula, rich in active substances carefully selected, quickly and effectively removes the most stubborn dirt. The dry foam and brush built into the bottle allow you to clean upholstery without getting it wet and without leaving halos. You can use Flash on any surface - fabric, leather, velvet and even Alcantara - and also to neutralize odors thanks to its special "Odor Stop".

3. Protection of plastics

For a car cleaning treatment and protection of plastic surfaces you can use 3in1 Plastics Treatment, a real treat for the dashboard and all plastic parts of the passenger compartment. Easy to use, just spread it out with a microfiber cloth as Heavy Work and the product cleans and seals the pores of the dashboard and provides a healing action that protects the surface from discoloration and the action of UV rays. For dull dashboards, however, the solution is. Diamant Plast Satin: its special formulation is able to protect and renew the treated parts.

4. Glass cleaning

Have you returned from vacation and your windshield is dirty and causing you visibility problems? No problem, with Glass Clean&Shine  windows will be perfectly clean again in no time, and you can drive safely. Its active foam adheres to the glass and works effectively on dirt. You will only need to wipe with a microfiber cloth (Heavy Work) to remove any residue, leaving no halos, eliminating any visibility problems.

Perfect visibility and safe driving with Mafra products!

5. Sanitization

After thoroughly cleaning the interior of your car, don't forget to sanitize all surfaces, this way you will eliminate bacteria and all those microorganisms that can be harmful to your health and that of the passengers.

Remember that for proper sanitization the Ministry of Health guidelines call for 2 steps: cleansing and sanitizing. Only then can you claim to have sanitized your environment.

To sanitize the car surfaces you touch most frequently such as the steering wheel, gearshift, door handles, air controls, and seat belts use the Car Surfaces Disinfectant a product with virucidal action designed to provide thorough and gentle disinfection and cleaning without leaving halos. It deeply cleans, eliminates contamination and biofilm, the source of bad odors, and offers deep sanitization on all car surfaces.

If you want to disinfect the entire passenger compartment, including the air conditioning ducts, you can use Odorbact Out Green Forrest an authorized PMC (Presidio Medico Chirurgico) spray disinfectant that can disinfect and sanitize the passenger compartment and air conditioning system of your car in minutes. It quickly eliminates germs and bacteria, biofilms and all organic and inorganic contamination while also releasing a pleasant scent inside the passenger compartment. Simply place it on the passenger-side mat, turn on the air-conditioning system by activating the air recirculation, press the valve of the canister until the vaporized spray is activated, close all doors, making sure that the windows are also tightly closed, and leave the product to work for 10 to 15 minutes. After the passenger compartment is well ventilated, the car is ready and sanitized.

What are you waiting for?

GO TO THE SHOP!

Want to stay up to date with our promotions?

The best Mafra products with special discounts and unmissable offers are waiting for you. Sign up for our Newsletter to receive our discounts and stay updated on the world of Mafra! What are you waiting for?

 

SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER!

 

Keep following us on our social channels for many more useful tips: