Material
Car paintwork
Rinse loose grit from cool bodywork before touching it. Use a shampoo approved for the paint and any wrap or coating. Gloss-paint shampoo containing a conditioning film is unsuitable for matt or satin finishes. Stop at colour transfer, dulling or lifting.
- SurfaceNon porous
- WashingSpot only
- Colour run riskMedium
- Reviewed6 October 2026
What car paintwork can and cannot take
- Heat Use with care
- Water and soaking Tolerates it
- Acids, including vinegar Not established
- Strong alkalis Not established
- Solvents Not established
- Chlorine bleach Not established
- Abrasives Avoid
Always test on a hidden area first and let it dry before you treat the visible mark.
General rules for car paintwork
Rinse loose grit from cool bodywork before touching it. Use a shampoo approved for the paint and any wrap or coating. Gloss-paint shampoo containing a conditioning film is unsuitable for matt or satin finishes. Stop at colour transfer, dulling or lifting.
Check the label
Rinse loose grit from cool bodywork before touching it. Use a shampoo approved for the paint and any wrap or coating. Gloss-paint shampoo containing a conditioning film is unsuitable for matt or satin finishes. Stop at colour transfer, dulling or lifting.
Stains on car paintwork
- Body oil Lift free oil from car paintwork, then clean a small area with a maker-approved mild detergent solution and a...
- Breast milk Blot the spill, identify the finish and use a controlled cold clean only where permitted. Use the linked dilu...
- Coffee Wipe coffee off car paintwork promptly with a soft cloth. Rinse grit from cool surfaces first and check the w...
- Nail polish Lift free polish gently if the face permits contact. A maker-approved mild damp wipe can clear loose residue,...
Rinse loose grit from cool bodywork before touching it. Use a shampoo approved for the paint and any wrap or coating. Gloss-paint shampoo containing a conditioning film is unsuitable for matt or satin finishes. Stop at colour transfer, dulling or lifting.
Unknown chemical tolerances remain unknown. Use the maker instructions for the actual finish. A remaining mark is a reason to seek advice, rather than increase strength or pressure.
Sources
What we checked and when. Where a manufacturer instruction disagrees with anything here, follow the manufacturer.
-
Ford, vehicle cleaning advice
manufacturer
Identify wheel finish and follow the vehicle manual. Windows use cleaner on a cloth, avoiding overspray; exterior cleaning and rinsing are finish-dependent.
Checked 6 October 2026
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Autoglym, Bodywork Shampoo Conditioner
manufacturer
pH-neutral exterior shampoo, diluted and used on a cool surface, then rinsed and dried. Manufacturer explicitly excludes matt and satin paint.
Checked 6 October 2026