How many of you detail inside the fuel door?⛽️

Eldorado2k

Eldorado2k

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Here’s something I almost never see mentioned as part of a Show & Shine.. The gas cap, fuel door, you know what I’m talking about.. How come nobody ever mentions it at all? How many of you overlook that area? How many of you totally geek out on it and take it to the next level? I’m sure you’re either 1 or the other..

Personally, I like it when I open a customers fuel door and discover a grimy mess. I figure they’ll be sure to notice the difference the next time they fill up and remember me.

I’ve also had several times when I can’t even figure out how to open the darn fuel door on some vehicles. It’s crazy how complicated they can make some things. Lol.

What’s your guys’ take on this rare mentioned part of the vehicle?
 
I ALWAYS include a thorough fuel door cleaning on every job. Even simple maint washes. Takes very little time and I have a specific brush to do it.
 
When I decided I wanted to begin doing cars for money, I asked family and friends if I could detail their cars for free in exchange for getting the practice, taking pictures, and hopefully getting some word of mouth recommendations. The first car I did was my daughter in law's, who had someone detail a previous car once, and told me up front she was a tough critic when it comes to how her car was detailed. My son told me that it was unlikely I would satisfy her completely, but it would be a good experience to see what a demanding customer might expect.

Knowing her level of expectation, but not knowing any specifics of those expectations, I endeavored to make sure I met or exceeded them. As I inspected the car from head to toe before I called them to announce it was done, I noticed the fuel fill door, and thought "There's something I didn't even consider doing", and opened it up. It was filthy! I cleaned it up nice and shiny, and when they arrived to inspect, it was the FIRST thing she checked! Turns out that was the biggest disappointment she had with the guy who detailed her car before - He neglected inside the fuel fill door. So now, no matter the level of service I complete, it includes opening and cleaning inside that door.

I've told people at least a dozen times now that giving away that free detail earned me way more than it cost me. It created an attitude in me to do the best I can to do it right. So far, it has served me well. It's still early in my detailing "career", but I'll forever be grateful that I learned that lesson early.

So what did she tell me I missed? I neglected to clean the rear view mirror. That was her only issue. But her mirror was the last mirror I've missed.
 
I knew this would produce some good posts.lol.
 
BTW, I have been flip flopping as to whether I show this off when the customer inspects my work. Sometimes I've opened this door to show that it was done, sometimes I say nothing, hoping the customer will recognize it when they fill up. So far, I get more satisfaction from telling the customers I did it. No one has contacted me later to say they noticed. but I have to think at least a few have?

But in the end, I think my ego will win out. I'll probably show this to customers regularly in the future.
 
Unless I can't figure out how to open the thing, I will clean it as part of all my exterior detailing packages.

Don't know if the client even notices it, but I think it's an area that can be improved by a lot since they are usally very dirty.
 
I always detail mine. That's like not opening up the hood, trunk, or doors and detailing them.
 
It is something I do as I clean the wheels. Hit it with some diluted APC and a 'Swisswax' type lugnut brush. They make some of the most dramatic before & after pictures!
 
mc2hill said:
It is something I do as I clean the wheels. Hit it with some diluted APC and a 'Swisswax' type lugnut brush. They make some of the most dramatic before & after pictures!
Click to expand...

Do you still have some of those pics?
 
It was actually something I was going to post a picture on for a future Show & Shine. My Jeep has a pretty cruddy fuel door. Well, the whole Jeep is cruddy!

But yeah, once I get around to a proper detail on that thing, I will include the fuel door
 
We are really splitting hairs. GUILTY. I spray it down with some APC, then a spray wax. LOL
 
I'll do my work truck next time for a before and after. Diesels are the worst when it comes to grime and buildup in the fuel door area

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
certainly do. Traditional cap style? Blast it with appropriate APC dilution according to how grimey it is, agitate with brush if needed, pressure rinse. Follow with one of two secret (aerosol) ingredients to dress.


The capless ones require a bit more finesse though, drop the pressure for the rinse and be a little more precise with the chemical.
 
Cap style. I sprayed it with d101 at 10:1 used a board hair light brush to agitate...had to do it twice. Didn't think to take pics but a very cavemanish wash took 4hrs the truck was so filthy...sad part it still looks like crap but 176k and no love is what you get out of an oilfield truck i suppose

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk
 
Good point about cap-less fuel fillers. Maybe that's a good place for just a waterless wash and MF towel. Don't want to get water in the tank.

I find that my personal car doesn't need regular cleaning behind the fuel door. I gave it a good cleaning when I first bought it, but since then it manages to stay clean when I dry in there after a wash using my door jamb towel.
 
derass said:
Good point about cap-less fuel fillers. Maybe that's a good place for just a waterless wash and MF towel. Don't want to get water in the tank.
Click to expand...

The flaps on them are pretty sturdy. I just try to keep the jet of water focused away from it and mop any standing water on the flap quickly, or i'll stuff a microfiber in it before i start.
 
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