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Door Jambs

The first thing a customer sees when they open the door. Clean every jamb: doors, hood, trunk or tailgate, and fuel door.

About 10 minutes

What you’ll need

  • All-purpose cleaner (F35) in a spray bottle
  • Degreaser (F15) for greasy hinge areas
  • Small detail brushes
  • Damp and dry microfiber towels
  • Air gun
  • Plastic and rubber dressing (M2) and a foam applicator
  • Safety glasses and 5-mil nitrile gloves

Before you start

  • Protect the interior. Door panels hold window switches and speakers. Never point a pressure washer into the cabin.
  • Hinges and latches are greased on purpose. Wipe the dirt off them — don’t blast or strip the grease.
  • Look for damage, chips or rust in the jambs and report it before you start.

Cleaning steps

  1. Open the door and blow out loose dirt and leaves with the air gun.
  2. Spray all-purpose cleaner (F35) on the jamb and sill. Spray away from the interior. Use degreaser (F15) only on heavy grease.
  3. Agitate the sill, hinge area and rubber seals with a detail brush.
  4. Wipe clean with a damp microfiber. Only rinse if it’s really dirty, and aim the water outward.
  5. Dry with the air gun and a dry towel so it doesn’t drip down the paint.
  6. Repeat for every door, the hood jamb, trunk or tailgate jamb, and the fuel door.

Dressing steps

  1. Plastic and rubber dressing (M2) on the applicator, never sprayed into the jamb.
  2. Wipe rubber seals and black plastic trim.
  3. Do not dress door sills or step plates — they get slippery and someone will fall.
  4. Buff off extra with a clean towel.

Quality check

  • Open every door: no dirt line, no water drips
  • Hood, trunk and fuel door jambs done too
  • Seals look satin, sills are clean and not slick