Stains on your car can be frustrating, but there's nothing worse than a stain that you can't get out. If you're having trouble cleaning tough stains off of the outside or inside of your car, you might just be using the wrong cleaner. Here are a few ways to remove common tough stains from your vehicle.

Tree Pollen On Your Car's Paint

Pollen particles can act like a fine dust, coating your whole car and sticking to the paint job. If you try to scrub them off with a cloth, they may scratch the finish. Instead, the recommended way to get rid of them is to use a pressure washer on a low setting. Go over the whole car slowly with an industrial pressure washers, starting with your roof and working down to the bumpers. Once the pollen is washed off, pat the panels dry gently. Avoid wiping them dry, since tiny amounts of pollen may still be present to scratch your car.

Once the car is mostly dry, finish the job off with a detailing spray, which both removes any remaining pollen and makes new pollen less likely to stick to the car. If you want, you can also add a layer of car wax to further protect your paint job. If possible, wash and wax your car away from trees and flowering plants, to avoid pollen getting stuck to it while it dries.

Motor Oil On The Seats Or Dash

Working on your own car can save you money in mechanic fees, but it can also make a mess. If you've accidentally gotten motor oil on your car's upholstery, it can harden up and become difficult to remove. Fortunately, a little lubricant and some elbow grease should help get it out.

First, spray lubricant onto the stain and work it in with a paper towel to get the stain nice and pliable. Be careful not to scrub in too large of an area, or you'll spread the stain. Next, use a clean paper towel to work in some dish soap, and start patting the stain dry. More and more of the stain should come up as you pat. If nothing seems to be happening, you may need to try scrubbing carefully with an old toothbrush or the corner of a dish sponge. When the seat looks clean again, spray it with some water and blot dry to rinse out any remaining soap. 

Paint Transfer Marks After An Accident

Accidents happen, but they can unfortunately leave ugly paint marks on your car's panels. If you're having trouble loosening up transferred paint, you may find help from an unusual source: lighter fluid. 

Before you start cleaning, give the panel a slow pressure wash to get off any excess dirt. Next, carefully wet a paper towel with some lighter fluid. Be sure to do this in an open area, away from buildings and people. Slowly blot the paper towel on the foreign paint, and it should begin to dissolve. Your car's paint is under a sealed coating, so it will be safe from the lighter fluid. Once the paint has come away, wash off the area with water and pat dry with a clean cloth.

Be careful how you dispose of the rag you used to clean the car, since it will be highly flammable. It's a good idea to shower and change clothes immediately afterward as well, to get rid of any lighter fluid you may have spilled or dripped on yourself.

Difficult stains can be frustrating to deal with, but you can clean just about anything off of your car with enough care and persistence. Before you give up on cleaning up your vehicle, give one of these methods a try. You might just get it looking as good as new.

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