How to Clean and Protect Your Door Jambs Like a Pro (Mar 2026)

Never do this in the direct Aussie sun. If the metal is hot, your APC will dry instantly and leave nasty white streaks. Give it a crack in the garage or under a carport.

Open all the doors wide. If you've got a leaf blower, give the jambs a quick blast first to get rid of loose leaves or those annoying gum nuts that get stuck in the hinges.

Have a quick look at the rubber seals. If they're perished or cracked, you'll need to be extra careful with the water or you'll end up with a wet footwell.

Using a very light mist, dampen the door jamb. Don't go full blast with the pressure washer or you'll spray water all over the leather seats. Just a light tickle to loosen the dirt.

Spray your APC or degreaser onto the jamb. Start from the top and work down. I usually let it dwell for about 2 minutes, but don't let it dry! If it's a hot day, do one door at a time.

Take your detailing brush and work the cleaner into the corners. Focus on the hinges and the strike plate. This is where that red outback dust loves to hide. Use the toothbrush for the tiny gaps around the bolts.

Hinges usually have a thick, yellow factory grease that's turned black with dirt. If it's really bad, you might need a dedicated degreaser. I learned this the hard way on a black Commodore, if you don't get all that black grease off, it'll just smear everywhere when you try to dry it.

Using a low-pressure stream (or even a spray bottle of water), rinse the suds away. Angle the spray outwards, away from the interior. If you're worried, hold a dry microfibre over the interior door card to catch any stray drops.

Take a clean microfibre and wipe everything dry. Don't forget the bottom of the door, the 'drain holes' are often blocked with mud. Clear them out with a toothpick if you have to.

The same rules apply to the boot jamb and the bonnet shut. Be careful around the engine bay though; don't go spraying water near the alternator or intake.

Make sure you dry the rubber seals thoroughly. If you leave water sitting there in 40-degree heat, it can actually cause the rubber to stick to the paint over time.

Now the jamb is clean, hit it with a spray sealant. This makes the surface slick so the next time you drive through a dust storm, the dirt won't bond to the paint. It'll just blow off.

Since you've likely washed away some grease, put a tiny dab of white lithium grease on the moving parts of the hinge. Don't overdo it, or you'll just start the dirt-trapping cycle all over again.