Did you know that vans were created in 1829? This makes them one of the oldest automobile types that we currently drive today.
They’ve evolved over time, but vans are still pretty unique and have their own passionate following. If you own a van, you might wash it from time to time to keep it in good condition, but you probably don’t want to risk damaging your vehicle.
Read along and learn how to wash vans like a pro so that your vehicle will shine.
Gather Your Supplies
Before you start cleaning your vans, it’s important to gather all the supplies you need. You will also need a place to wash your vans, like a driveway or parking spot.
Here are some items you will need to wash your van:
1. Micro Fiber Wash Mitt
I a super absorbent cloth that prevents swirls or micro scratches on the paint of your car. This is the key to getting a deep clean on your vans without scratching the surface. Make sure to use a separate mitt for the wheels.
2. Foam Blaster
This powerful tool attaches to your hose and blasts away dirt and grime with ease. The Foam Blaster comes with two different nozzles for different uses.
The yellow nozzle is for light-duty cleaning, while the red nozzle is for heavy-duty cleaning. Simply point the nozzle at the dirty area and pull the trigger to blast away the dirt.
3. Car Shampoo
Use a dedicated vehicle wash soap or mild liquid dish soap. Avoid using laundry detergent, which can damage the paint.
4. Brush to Clean Tires
A brush can be used to clean and scrub the dirt off your tires. You can use a brush that is specifically made for cleaning tires, or you can use a regular brush that you have at home.
5. Vehicle Polish or Wax
Car polish is a product that helps to remove shallow surface scratches, swirls, oxidation, dirt, and other minor imperfections on your vehicle. Car wax on the other hand is either a natural or synthetic product that is applied to your vehicle to provide a thin layer of protection and enhance the paint’s shine.
6. Bucket
A bucket is used as a container for your soap solution. This is where you will mix about 5ml of car shampoo with warm or cold water.
7. Vacuum Cleaner
By vacuum cleaner the van you are able to remove all the dirt, dust, and debris that has built up over time. This will make the van look new on the inside.
8. Soft Sponge or Pad
A soft sponge or pad is used for car polish or wax to your car. To apply the wax, dip the sponge or pad into the wax and scrub the van in small circular motions.
Once you have all your supplies, you’re ready to start washing your vans like a pro!
Pre-Treat Any Stains
This will help ensure that the van is cleaned properly and prevent any further staining. First, identify any areas that need special attention. Then, pretreat the stains using a commercial pretreatment product or a homemade solution of one part vinegar to two parts water.
Be sure to thoroughly soak the area and allow the solution to sit for at least five minutes before rinsing.
Pre Wash With a Hose or Pressure Washer
If you have a pressure washer, start with that. If not, a hose will do. Pre-wash your van to remove any big chunks of dirt and debris.
Make sure to do this before you start washing the van itself, otherwise, you’ll just be moving the dirt around and not actually cleaning anything.
Wash Your Van in a Circular Motion
Vans like any other car need to be washed using a bucket of soapy water and a sponge or a microfiber mitt. Wash your van in a circular motion.
This is so you do not miss any spots and so that the water does not pool in one spot. You also need to make sure that you use two buckets, one for the soap and one for the rinse water.
Rinse Thoroughly
Rinsing allows you to remove any soap or dirt that may be left on the surface of your van. Use a low-pressure setting on your pressure washer and hold it at least 10 inches away from the van to avoid damaging the paintwork.
Work in sections and avoid going over the same area more than once then rinse the van again with clean water once you’re finished.
Drying
The best way to do this is with chamois cloth or a microfiber towel. Rub the towel in a circular motion over the surface of the van until it’s dry.
Van Paintwork Decontamination and Protection
Decontamination is the key to a good wash. You want to get rid of all the bonded contaminants on your paint before you even start washing your van.
Once the van is dry, you can apply a sealant, wax, or coating. This will provide protection from the elements and make the paintwork easier to clean in the future.
1. Clay Bar
If you’ve never heard of a clay bar, it’s time to learn about this detailing tool. A clay bar can be used to remove all sorts of contaminants from your vehicle’s paint, including tree sap, tar, and road grime.
The process is simple: just lightly mist the area you’ll be working on with water, then gently glide the clay bar over the surface. Finally, use a polishing cloth to buff the area, and voila! Your paint will be as good as new.
2. Wax
Waxing your vans is one of the best ways to protect them from the elements and keep them looking good.
Apply wax to a small area at a time, using a circular motion. Work the wax into the van’s surface until it’s evenly distributed. Buff the waxed area with a clean cloth to bring up the shine. Repeat the process until the entire van is waxed.
3. Tire Black
This product will give your van’s tires a deep, black luster that will last for weeks. When applied correctly, tire black will not rub off on your clothes or hands.
4. Rain Repellants
This creates a protective armor over the glass of your windshield, windows, and side mirrors allowing the rain to run naturally away instead of being erased scratchily by the wipers
There are a few different types of rain repellants on the market, so be sure to read the labels carefully to find the one that is right for your van.
5. Water Mark Removers
If you want to wash a van like a pro, you’re going to need the right tools and products. Watermark removers are a must-have if you want to get rid of those pesky water spots. There are a few different ways you can use these products, so be sure to read the instructions carefully.
Once you’ve applied the watermark remover, you’ll need to rinse the area with clean water and dry it off.
The Don’ts of Washing a Van
Avoid washing in direct sunlight whenever possible. sunlight will cause the water to evaporate too quickly and will also make it more difficult to remove all the dirt and grime.
Make sure to use a mild soap or detergent specifically designed for washing vehicles. Harsh chemicals can damage the paint and finish.
Never Scrape off Bird Poo using your fingers or even a microfiber cloth. Bird dirt is acidic and will leave permanent marks on your paint if left too long. scraping this kind of dirt would only leave scratch marks on the paint of your vehicle.
Be sure to research products or steps that can best help you remove this without damaging your vehicle’s paint.
Avoid using greasy cockpit shine products on the interior of your van. These are products designed to polish the plastic interior of a car.
How to Clean the Interior of a Van
Removing all the Whatnots, start with taking everything out of the van. You might be surprised how much stuff has accumulated over time. Sort through what you need and what can be donated or thrown away. Don’t forget to check all the nooks and crannies, like under the seats.
The More the Merrier, once everything is out, give the van a good vacuum. Be sure to get all the dirt, dust, and crumbs out of the car. This is also a good time to shampoo the floor mats and seats if they’re cloth.
If they’re not, then just wipe them down with a damp cloth. Wipe Down All Surfaces with a damp cloth or with a multi-purpose cleaner.
Move on to cleaning all the surfaces in the van. The dashboard, center console, cup holders, door panels, and finally, the windows. A good all-purpose cleaner or glass cleaner will do the trick.
Don’t Forget the Finishing Touches. Finally, put everything back in its place and enjoy your clean car!
For Cleaning the Inside of a Camper Van
Assuming you have a camper van that you would like to keep clean, here are some tips on how to wash it like a pro. Regular cleaning will help keep your camper van looking its best and will make it last longer.
1. Front Cab
Remove any litter in the door pockets and dashboard, keep the floor clean from dirty shoes, and make sure everything is wiped off the cloth or leather seats.
2. Hygienic Areas
Special cleaning products are used for the kitchen and bathroom or your camper van. Be sure to never forget to clean your shower, toilet, and sink as well as the things you use to prepare food like knives, chopping boards, plates, spoons, forks, pots, and other kitchen utensils.
3. Curtains and Covers
Take them down and shake them out thoroughly before putting them in the wash. This will help get rid of any dirt or debris that may be clinging to them.
Wash them on a gentle cycle in cool water with a mild detergent. Hang them up to dry, or place them in a clothes dryer in a low heat setting. Once they are completely dry, re-hang them or put them back on your van.
4. Sides and Ceiling
For the sides, use a sponge or cloth and soapy water to wipe down the area. For the ceiling, use a soft brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner to remove any cobwebs or dust. Once you have finished, dry the surfaces with a clean towel.
5. Behind Storage Areas
You tend to get lots of hidden storage areas to check out, even those you wouldn’t normally access with saying electrics and tools in.
But still have a delve in these and get them clean, even with just a quick hand brush after all, germs and even unwanted rodents and pests can begin to live here if you’re not careful.
6. Bedding and Seating
Don’t forget to remove or replace all bedding and seating. These can be machine-washed, but make sure to read the labels first.
7. Handle Bars
Handlebars are mostly neglected when it comes to cleaning your camper van. Be sure not to forget to wipe them down because these often get lots of dirty hands grasping them.
Do your research, most websites provide detailed information about everything you need to know from cleaning to converting your van. You could also look for professionals near you. It’s as simple as typing van conversion near me on your browser.
These Are Some Tips on How to Wash Vans
Van washing is a necessary but often overlooked chore. There are a few tips and tricks you can follow to make the process quick and easy. Start by rinsing the van with a hose to remove any large dirt and debris.
Use a pressure washer or sprayer to apply a generous amount of soap. Once the soap has had a chance to work, use a high-pressure setting on the washer to blast away any remaining dirt. Rinse the van with clean water and dry it off with a chamois or towel.
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