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All Purpose Cleaner (APC) – is it worth it?

APC for car cleaning - car washing

All Purpose Cleaner (APC) – Is All Purpose Cleaner worth the purchase?

Artur Owczarek
Artur Owczarek

Brand Product Manager Moje AutoHe has been involved in the automotive industry for years. He is passionate about cars and detailing. On his blog, he shares his knowledge and experience, offering tips on how to effectively care for your car and extend its life.

Among the many products that help keep your car clean, a product that can be used in almost any situation is particularly helpful. This is what All Purpose Cleaner is like. Here's what you need to know about it.

What is All Purpose Cleaner (APC)?

As the name suggests, All Purpose Cleaner is an all-purpose cleaner that has many uses. We can use it to wash almost all surfaces of the car - inside, outside and under the hood.

APC consists of cleaning chemicals that create an alkaline solution (about 11 on the pH scale). The alkalinity means that APC dissolves very well in water and effectively removes dirt based on fat. Eliminates stains from oil, grease and food. Deals with accumulated dust and other long-lasting dirt. The alkaline reaction means that the agent, although very strong, is also safe for cleaned surfaces.

All Purpose Cleaner is one of the most important products in auto detailing industry, used by professionals and automotive enthusiasts around the world. Many people consider APC to be the best cleaner, a miracle product that cleans everything that can be cleaned in a car. It's true, in the vast majority of situations APC works great. However, it is worth remembering that it is a temporary measure and in the long run it will not replace dedicated car care products.

What can All Purpose Cleaner be used for?

As we have already mentioned, APC is a universal agent that can be used to clean almost everything. What does APC detailing look like in practice?

Inside the car, we will successfully remove greasy stains on the upholstery and visually refresh it. We will thoroughly clean the fabric headliner and all plastic elements of the doors and seats, as well as the area around the gear lever. APC will also be perfect as a cockpit cleaner, regardless of the materials it is made of.

It is also suitable for removing dirt from leather, aluminum, painted and rubber elements, e.g. carpets. There is nothing stopping you from using APC to clean the bodywork, windows, mirrors, rims, door sills and fenders. We will wash virtually all protective elements under the hood, including the engine casing, brake fluid tanks and enclosed cables. All Purpose Cleaner will also remove dirt accumulated in all parts of the chassis.

How to use APC – user manual

All Purpose Cleaner is sold in concentrate form and requires dilution with water. A common proportion is 1:8 for light and medium dirt and 1:4 for heavy dirt. In this configuration, each 100 ml of APC should be supplemented with 400 or 800 ml of water, respectively. Only the prepared solution is suitable for use. The manufacturer should specify the suggested dilution of the product on the packaging.

If we are not sure whether we have prepared the APC solution correctly, we can check its effectiveness in an inconspicuous place, e.g. on the bottom of the chair. If there are no discolorations or other undesirable reactions of the material, the agent is suitable for further use.

APC Cleaner is most conveniently used using a spray bottle. Spray the appropriately diluted solution onto a microfiber cloth or immediately onto the surface to be cleaned. Then we remove dirt with gentle movements. Hard-to-reach places can be washed using a detailing brush or a brush of appropriate hardness. If the dirt does not come off completely, repeat the operation until the effect is achieved.

We can also clean the elements under the hood using the non-contact method, intensively spraying the contaminated surface and then rinsing it with water using a pressure washer. More dirty places can be effectively cleaned using a cloth or brush, because mechanically disturbed dirt is easier to remove.

All Purpose Cleaner is safe for all surfaces, but be careful and avoid contact with skin. To avoid irritation, cleaning is best done with disposable gloves.

APC All Purpose Cleaner My Auro Detailer

APC All Purpose Cleaner My Auro Detailer

Is it worth using All Purpose Cleaner?

APC from Moje Auto - cleaning plastics under the hood

It is definitely worth having APC, because it is the only agent on the market that removes many types of dirt from many types of surfaces. Thanks to this, we do not have to carry a whole set of various chemicals dedicated to specific materials (e.g. for cleaning leather, plastic, upholstery, bodywork) with us every day.

With one product in the trunk, we are prepared for every eventuality: unexpected mud splashed on the body, a spilled drink on the back seat or dried stains on the dashboard. The best APC Clenaer It will cope with both fresh dirt and accumulated dust or dried grease.

What is better not to use APC for?

Cleaning the car interior with APC (All purpose cleaner)

As we mentioned, a good All Purpose Clener is gentle on cleaned surfaces, so it can be safely used in almost any situation. However, even the best cleaner will not work if we use it incorrectly.

APC is a product that should not be used on heated surfaces. Before use, make sure the area you want to clean is cool. This also means that All Purpose Cleaner should not be used in bright sunlight. It is best to clean your car in a garage, and if you do it outside, it is worth choosing a dark place or waiting for a cloudy day.

Even though APC is a universal agent that effectively cleans most surfaces, it is worth remembering that if we want to take full effective care of our car, we need a number of dedicated preparations.

Professional car detailing, in addition to ad hoc activities, requires periodic, in-depth care of individual areas of the car. It is important to select the appropriate agent for the requirements of a given surface. We wrote more about this in the article What to do to make your car shine? A car like new in just a few steps.

By acting comprehensively, you can not only clean specific sections in the car, but also properly preserve them, permanently protecting them against external factors (using e.g. waxes   dressings). Well-planned activities will allow you to enjoy a well-kept, aesthetically finished car for many years.

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