Cleaning the gas cap area.

[Bobelvago]

I'm not sure what it is called, but when you pop open your cover on the side, I open the little panel where the cap is and it is dirty and dusty.

I'm wondering what the best way to rinse this area off without ruining anything or causing rust.

1997 Camry

Thank you.

[MothersPolish]

I haven't seen the inside of a '97, but everything should be either painted or plastic.

Make sure the cap is sealed, but you can use your wash mitt or sponge to clean inside, and rinse it gently with the hose.

You can also simply hit it with some instant detailer and a towel as you dry, and this will minimize the introduction of water.

Let dry and close back up.

[tht1gurl]

Apparently you can use carb spray to help clean the area. This is the ehow article on how to do it: http://www.ehow.com/how_5087509_clean-car-gas-cap.html. Tell us how it goes! (Get before and after pics if you can, please?)

[MothersPolish]

That's for cleaning the gas cap only -- please don't use carb spray on or near paint or plastic finishes.

[Bobelvago]

Yah, I was going to use water / soap and use paper towels, a sponge sounds better lol.

I'll take pics later when I do it

EDIT:

Took 21 paper towels! (1 sheet...not 21 rolls rofl, it's not perfect yet)

[tht1gurl]

Yay clean gas cap and area!! You're motivating me to do mine, haha.

[MothersPolish]

If you have trouble with the nooks and crannies, you can spray some instant detailer and use a toothbrush or detail brush, then wipe it clean.

I keep old sports socks for such dirty tasks, as they are disposable for tasks like this.

Don't forget to clean your doorjambs, trunk and under the hood.

[workerant]

Originally Posted by Bobelvago

Yah, I was going to use water / soap and use paper towels, a sponge sounds better lol.

I'll take pics later when I do it

EDIT:

Took 21 paper towels! (1 sheet...not 21 rolls rofl, it's not perfect yet)

Looks nice. I'll clean mine too next car wash.

[Bobelvago]

Yah I need a toothbrush to clean the hard spots, I tried with my finger but eh.

I also tried to blow out dirt, and a dead spider blew out...disgusting.

Also need to do the trunk because the little crevices are filled with dirt >_<

[Zembonez]

I hit mine with the car wash spray about every third or fourth time I wash my cars. Never had any issue. Water is harmless there. This is not a sealed area. It gets loads of water in there when it rains.

[CTB727]

I sprayed some P21S Total Auto Wash and used a toothbrush and paper towels. Then I rinsed it off with some water.