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  1. #1
    Nth Degree's Avatar
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    Tips and tool for cleaning dash vents.

    Cleaning the vents of a car can be very tedious and difficult a times. I have discovered a couple of tools that have helped tremendously.


    These are the tools I use for vents.





    The two I use the most, though, are the ones all the way to the right. I stumbled upon both of these tools at Majestic Solutions just walking through their store.

    The little brush works great on all sort of interior cleaning when I need to get into small spaces. I start by spraying my APC, then use the tiny, single row of bristles to scrub if necessary. (Excuse the remaining dirt. I simply took these photos for demonstration and did not actually clean as I took them.)





    Usually just wrapping a MF around it is enough since it is usually just dust I am having to remove. A thin MF works best for this and I can often get to every part of the inner slats by simply inserting, then a quick back and forth or up and down motion, just like you would with Q-tips. The rigidity of this and the large surface area of the MF is much more efficient, though. I have developed a rhythm to this so I isn`t quite as tedious, but it is not something to rush.






    A word of warning: Use extreme caution when inserting rigid objects into vents. Often times the rear slats or the directional lever can be easily knocked loose or broken. These can be very difficult to fix, if possible, or expensive to replace.


    My favorite tool is this piece of plastic. It is tapered at each end and I believe it is intended for getting into seams of body panels, which it does well at but not as good as a depleted gift card or hotel room key. (More flexible than a credit card.)





    The rigidity of this tool makes it ideal. Simply wrap a thin MF towel around it and It works wonders.





    Not just on vents, but also in difficult to reach areas of consoles, between steering column and dash, deep instrument panels, etc. I wish I had picked up more than one. I`m not sure what I would do if I were to lose it. For the DIYer or in a pinch a popsicle stick will serve almost as well.


    While it may not be as fast as using a compressor, with a little practice I have been able to get down to doing all dash vents in under 10 minutes for most vehicles or even 5 if they are just a little dusty.

  2. #2
    Gurge's Avatar
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    Re: Tips and tool for cleaning dash vents.

    good stuff there

    the little 2 sided toothbrush deal I find locally from an auto body distributor (albert kemperle). They`re a must when I vacuum now. But I mainly use that for carpet cracks & crevices, not the dash vents

    for the dash vents I use a small race glaze brush, while holding the shop vac hose nearby to suck up the carnage. works great.
    Bryan
    Mr. Sparkle Detailing Inc - Owner / Operator
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  3. #3
    ca.detailchick's Avatar
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    Re: Tips and tool for cleaning dash vents.

    Awesome tips! Thanks!

  4. #4
    rider9195's Avatar
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    Re: Tips and tool for cleaning dash vents.

    Thanks for the tips!

  5. #5
    Just a regular guy Todd@RUPES's Avatar
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    Re: Tips and tool for cleaning dash vents.

    Excellent tips and tricks!

  6. #6
    Super Moderator Pats300zx's Avatar
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    Re: Tips and tool for cleaning dash vents.

    Great tips. Thanks for sharing....
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  7. #7
    Detailing Gnosis Bunky's Avatar
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    Re: Tips and tool for cleaning dash vents.

    Interesting. Vents are areas that I rarely do much with.

    Al
    The Need to Bead


  8. #8

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    Re: Tips and tool for cleaning dash vents.

    Quote Originally Posted by Gurge View Post
    good stuff there

    the little 2 sided toothbrush deal I find locally from an auto body distributor (albert kemperle). They`re a must when I vacuum now. But I mainly use that for carpet cracks & crevices, not the dash vents

    for the dash vents I use a small race glaze brush, while holding the shop vac hose nearby to suck up the carnage. works great.
    Hey-> local guy in the house. I also pick up some stuff at Albert Kemperle in Amityville. did not realize anyone was local on here.

  9. #9
    Van185's Avatar
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    Re: Tips and tool for cleaning dash vents.

    Great information. Thanks for the tips.

  10. #10

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    Re: Tips and tool for cleaning dash vents.

    Nice write-up!

    Your right about being carefull around the swing arm. I broke the vent on a new benz because my towel snagged. Fortunately for me the warranty covered it

  11. #11

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    Re: Tips and tool for cleaning dash vents.

    Hey really good tips and stuff......
    Where i got that cleaning tools or kit for my dash.....







    Taps and dies

  12. #12
    Nth Degree's Avatar
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    Re: Tips and tool for cleaning dash vents.

    Quote Originally Posted by diane21 View Post
    Hey really good tips and stuff......
    Where i got that cleaning tools or kit for my dash.....
    The vacuum attachments set can usually be found @ Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Lowe`s or any other place that sells shop vacs. As for the brush and pick-stick; I found those locally and am not sure where else to get them. I might see if the place still has them and get more info when I get a chance.

  13. #13
    Detailing Gnosis Bunky's Avatar
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    Re: Tips and tool for cleaning dash vents.

    If you want t find interesting things, go to a craft store. They often have some interested items that can be used for detailing.

    Al
    The Need to Bead


  14. #14

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    Re: Tips and tool for cleaning dash vents.

    Really informative thread for me. Thanks a lot for valuable sharing. Keep it up

  15. #15
    I like teeth ihaveacamaro's Avatar
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    Re: Tips and tool for cleaning dash vents.

    Quite interesting. I don`t think I have cleaned my vents in 3 years.... lol

 

 
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