How do you guys clean the front door hinge area?

[GeneralEclectic]

I know, it sounds like a dumb question, but I know of no way to get this area clean that doesn't take an hour of tedious work with small brushes and such. In most cars this area, in front of the door and behind the fender is several inches deep with lots of obstructions, plus it has parts in it that are often deliberately greasy like the door check and hinges.

So help me out here -- how do you get it clean in less than an hour a side?

[chompies]

Depending how dirty it is, I usually spray a general purpose/degreaser in there and let it work, then high pressure it off.

[themightytimmah]

I douse it with Castrol Super Clean then use either a foamgun or pressure washer through the little crack in the closed door to get it clean.

[UnsanePyro]

Originally Posted by themightytimmah

I douse it with Castrol Super Clean then use either a foamgun or pressure washer through the little crack in the closed door to get it clean.

I never would have thought of that, good idea.

For my back door hinge area, I just open both doors and clean it that way.

[GeneralEclectic]

Pressure washer. Huh... wouldn't have considered that because of the risk of flooding the interior. Both of you do this with the door closed then? Through the crack between door and fender?

[rotts4u]

Try an engine type cleaner or degreaser like a contact cleaner etc. Just make sure to fully rinse and avoid getting it on visible paint. And I do mine with the door open.

Don

[Accumulator]

I thoroughly clean them *once* with solvents/etc. and then polish/seal/wax the area. Then I wash with small BHBs and regular shampoo mix at every wash. One pass with the shampoo and then one pass with the BHB and plain water. I do, of course, dry these areas too.

And I keep the hinges lubricated properly, meaning only the surfaces that really need lube.

[Murat]

Also stick the pressure washer's wand thru the opening into the wheel well... You cannot believe your eyes when you see all what flows from between the fender and the plastic wheel well cover...

[DaGonz]

Originally Posted by chompies

Depending how dirty it is, I usually spray a general purpose/degreaser in there and let it work, then high pressure it off.

Ditto! I find that lube techs overgrease the hinges, making a bloody mess!

[Accumulator]

Originally Posted by Gonzo0903

I find that lube techs overgrease the hinges, making a bloody mess!

Yeah, that can be irritating all right. I always insist that they *not* lube such stuff on my vehicles and I do it myself (properly ). Funny how people who do such stuff for a living claim to have never heard of pinpoint oilers, needle applicators, and the like