If you think that a proper DIY car care system requires you to have a garage full of expensive machinery, you’re wrong.
In fact, two inexpensive cans sitting on a shelf can solve 90% of your maintenance headaches in minutes. We are talking about the legendary WD-40 and a high-quality degreaser.
In this guide, we’ll break down exactly how to use this dynamic duo to keep your ride running smoothly and looking spotless. Whether you are driving a Mehran or a Fortuner, this is the only maintenance guide you need today.
Know Your Products: The Dynamic Duo
Before we start spraying, let’s talk about the way both these items work.
What is WD-40?
WD-40 stands for “Water Displacement, 40th Formula.” It is not just a lubricant; it is a solvent and a rust preventer.
This product penetrates stuck areas, expels moisture (crucial for electrical systems during the monsoon season), and leaves a light protective film that fights rust. Remember, it is not a heavy-duty grease.
What is a Degreaser?
Degreaser comes with surfactants. They chemically break down oil, grease, and road tar. It turns that thick, black sludge on your engine block into a liquid that can be rinsed away with water.
Water alone cannot clean oil. Soap is often too weak for engine grime. You need a dedicated chemical to cut through the mess. By combining these two, you have a complete system: one to strip away the filth, and one to protect the metal underneath.
Safety First: Don’t Skip This Step
We know you are eager to get started, but DIY car care is only fun if you don’t hurt yourself or your car. These are chemicals, after all.
When you are browsing Autostore.pk for your supplies, don’t forget to check the safety gear section. Here is your checklist:
- Eye Protection: When you spray a degreaser into a wheel well or engine bay, splashback can occur. You do not want heavy solvents in your eyes.
- Gloves: Nitrile gloves are best. Prolonged exposure to solvents can irritate your skin and severely dry it out.
- Ventilation: If you are working in a closed garage, open the door. The fumes from lubricants and cleaners can get strong.
- Cool Down: Never spray cold liquids onto a hot engine. You risk cracking the metal block or warping components. Let your car cool down for at least 30-45 minutes after driving before you start engine bay cleaning.
Five Fast Fixes with WD-40
You probably have a can of WD-40 under your sink, but are you using it to its full potential? Here are five specific ways this blue-and-yellow can save the day.
1. The Squeaky Door Hinge
There is nothing worse than a luxury car that sounds like a haunted house when you open the door.
- The Fix: Don’t just spray the outside of the hinge. Open and close the door while spraying short bursts into the moving pin. Wipe away the excess drip immediately to protect your paint.
2. Battery Terminal Corrosion
If you see white or blue powder building up on your battery terminals, that is corrosion. It can lead to hard starts.
- The Fix: Disconnect the battery (negative first). Scrub the terminals with a wire brush. Once clean and reconnected, spray a light coat of WD-40 over the terminals.
3. Stuck Bolts and Nuts
Whether you are changing a tire or swapping a license plate, rusted bolts are a nightmare.
- The Fix: Spray the stuck bolt generously and wait. Give it 10 minutes to penetrate the threads. It usually breaks free with much less force, saving you from stripped knuckles.
Deep-Clean with Degreaser
A quality degreaser is the heavy lifter in your DIY car care arsenal.
The Wheel Wells
This is the dirtiest part of your car. It collects mud, tar, and brake dust.
- Technique: Spray the car wheel degreaser liberally onto the plastic liner and the suspension components. Let it sit (dwell) for 2-3 minutes. Use a stiff-bristled brush to agitate the dirt, then rinse with a pressure washer.
Floor Mats (Rubber)
If you have rubber floor mats that have turned brown from mud, soap might not cut it.
- Technique: A light mist of degreaser breaks down the embedded dirt. Scrub, rinse, and they will look jet black again.
The “Undercarriage”
If you have driven through oil or fresh road tar, your rocker panels (the bottom side of the car) might feel rough.
- Technique: Apply degreaser to a microfiber cloth and gently wipe the tar spots. It dissolves the tar much more safely than scraping it off.
Step-by-Step Engine-Bay Detail (Hero How-To)
Engine bay cleaning is the hallmark of a well-maintained vehicle. Car engine cleaning helps the engine run cooler and makes spotting leaks easier. Plus, it instantly increases resale value.
Here is your 10-step guide to doing it safely with Autostore.pk products.
What you need:
- Auto degreaser
- WD-40
- Detailing brushes
- Plastic bags & rubber bands
- Garden hose (low pressure)
- Microfiber towels
Step 1: The Cool Down
Ensure the engine is cool to the touch.
Step 2: Dry Clean First
Remove loose leaves, twigs, and dust bunnies by hand or with a blower. You don’t want to make mud out of dry dust.
Step 3: Protect Sensitive Parts
This is critical. Use plastic bags to cover:
- The Alternator
- The Air Intake (if exposed)
- The Fuse Box
- Exhaust Manifold (if exposed)
Secure the bags with rubber bands.
Step 4: The Soak
Spray your degreaser all over the engine bay. Cover the valve cover, hoses, fluid reservoirs, and firewall. Avoid soaking the sound-deadening liner under the hood, as it can sag if it gets too wet.
Step 5: The Dwell Time
Let the chemical work for 3 to 5 minutes. Do not let it dry! If it starts drying, mist it with a little water.
Step 6: Agitation
Use your detailing brush to scrub the nooks and crannies. Focus on areas where oil collects, such as around the oil filler cap and the dipstick.
Step 7: The Rinse
Using a low-pressure stream (do not use a high-pressure jet directly on electricals), rinse the engine bay from back to front.
Step 8: The Dry
Remove the plastic bags. Use a leaf blower to blow water out of the crevices. Wipe down accessible surfaces with a microfiber towel.
Step 9: The Detail
This is the pro tip. Spray WD-40 onto a clean cloth, then wipe down the black rubber hoses and plastic covers.
- Why? It restores the deep black shine and prevents the rubber from cracking in the heat. It also protects metal clamps from rust.
Step 10: The Start-Up
Start the engine and let it idle for 5-10 minutes. The heat will dry up any remaining moisture.
FAQs: WD-40 & Degreaser
Can WD-40 replace silicone lubricant for window channels?
No. For rubber window channels that are sticking, silicone spray is better. WD-40 is petroleum-based and can sometimes cause certain types of rubber seals to swell over long periods. Use WD-40 for metal-to-metal parts and cleaning.
Is degreaser safe for the plastic engine covers?
Yes, automotive degreasers are safe for hard plastics. Just ensure you rinse it off thoroughly, so it doesn’t leave a residue.
How often should I clean the engine bay?
For most drivers in Pakistan, doing this twice a year is sufficient. Once after the monsoon season to remove mud and humidity, and once after winter.
Conclusion
Taking good care of your vehicle doesn’t have to be expensive if you do it wisely.
Get yourself familiar with WD-40 and a good degreaser to not just clean your car properly but also extend its life. You won’t only prevent rust, but your electronics will also stay dry, keeping your engine running cool.
DIY car care is about pride of ownership. There is a specific satisfaction in closing the hood on a sparkling clean engine or opening a door that no longer squeaks.
Ready to transform your ride?
Head over to Autostore.pk right now to grab your supplies. We’ve got the best prices on lubricants, cleaners, and tools in Pakistan.