How to Wash your Smart Inside and Out?

[ladybugb]

Now that the weather is getting a little nicer (fingers crossed) I'd love to handwash my Smart. Interested in what products people are using on the plastic panels and if you're using anything different on the panels and for the roof. Also, leather interior Smarties...what are you using to clean and condition the seats. What about the dash? Thanks in advance.

[HotCookCpl]

I don't know about the exterior, but I would think leather clearner/conditioner for horse saddles, etc. would be the best thing. People with horses know how to take good care of leather so I would think a visit to a saddle shop would be your best bet. Leather conditioning is important if you want it to last a long time. Good luck.

[stevenvillatoro]

You'll find discussions on cleaning the polycarbonate roof panel in a maintenance area of the site. Washing a smart is very easy and fun. This is a car that could be kept looking brand new nearly forever, due to its intelligent design.

[stuberman]

Now that it is warming up I have switched from machine wash (drive through car wash) to hand wash.

So far I have used "Liquid Glass" on the exterior except the roof which I use Plexus. I have heard that it is a very bad idea to use Rain-X on the roof!

I have sued some auto parts store leather cleaner and conditioner on the seats but don't know what to use on the fabric (flax)...

I too am curious what people are using and how they like it.

I love the Plexus and the Liquid Glass makes the car shine. I noticed that the panels did have brake dust deposits which came off pretty easy with Liquid Glass. I am wondering if there is either a better finish to apply or if I should consider a different brake pad.

[Amethyste]

I used to use massage oil ( almond/coconut mix ) on my saddles when i was into horsing big time... and still use that on leather when i have to. I never use commercial soaps and i buy a huge bottle of 'castille Soap' in the organic section of the grocery store. all you need a small amount, and everything smells so good... For the dashboard since it is fabric, i use a little bit of oxyclean diluted in a spray bottle and i use sparingly on the fabric and let dry unless there is a spot I try to get out, then I use an ultra soft toothbrush or vegetable brush ( soft soft bristles ).

Then i use a wet ( not dripping ) sponge that I have used sweet orange essential oil on it ( like 6-10 drops ) and leave it in the car ( preferably in a small plastic tray ) with the windows shut hoping that the warms will diffuse the oil through the car.. and voila Smells sooooo good...

[2mutch]

How to Wash your Smart Inside and Out?

Of course, if you have a cabrio and you want to wash it inside and out...


...just run it through the car wash with the top down.


JK...couldn't resist...(although I once saw this actually happen as a car was coming through an auto-wash the convertible top 'open' button got bumped and the whole top was torn off and the interior ruined! And it was on a classic '65 Pontiac 'vert too!)


- FRED "2 MUTCH"
Is it a car? Is it a mind set? It's BOTH!

[stevenvillatoro]

I would always recommend vacuuming the dashboard fabric before applying any liquid, to avoid making mud. (Not sure how the dashboard material will hold up to cleaning yet.) How about some ideas about cleaning the wheels... there is a LOT of brake dust from the front end. Also, a word of caution about the wiper blades when they're off the glass... don't poke your eye out while cleaning!

[CS-Tobi-Kun]

Originally Posted by stuberman

Now that it is warming up I have switched from machine wash (drive through car wash) to hand wash.

You actually took your through one of those? I was scared to, because of the cars length.

[stevenvillatoro]

I'd never put my smart through one of those torture chambers, aka touchless car washes. The water never gets off all the dirt, and then the drying monkeys get their gritty towels all over it. Why not just use steel wool to clean it?

[saronian]

I'll be posting a list of my favorite car care products after I get my car this weekend. These are culled from a lot of years of lovingly detailing my own cars. Here's one product I like for leather "Meltonian All-Purpose Cleaner & Conditioner"

Scott