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Many classic car owners love nothing more than a lazy Sunday spent cleaning and polishing their beloved set of wheels until they sparkle.

But the Coronavirus crisis has put a whole new spin on this peaceful tradition. Cleaning has now become not so much a fun weekend activity as a vital necessity.

So how do you keep yourself and your family protected from the small but potentially serious risk of becoming infected by germs that have lingered on your dashboard or steering wheel? Our quick guide gives you the basics.

What to clean?

It’s not known exactly how long Coronavirus can survive outside the human body. Certainly, most infections are transmitted directly from human to human rather than from touching contaminated objects.

But studies suggest that the virus remains viable for up to 72 hours on metal and plastic, depending on the heat and humidity levels, so it is possible to become infected via a contaminated surface.

Therefore, it is wise to clean your car on a regular basis.

Focus on the areas which you touch the most frequently: for example, seatbelts, steering wheel, dashboard, handles, gear stick, and rear-view mirror. Don’t forget to clean your car key, too!

While Toyota’s list of 40 touchpoints may seem overwhelming, a quick wipe needn’t take long.

Especially in these risky times, cleaning is simply one of the vital actions that responsible car owners must take to stay safe, along with driving sensibly and choosing the right classic car insurance.

Most of all, though, wash your hands before and after getting in your car, and ask any passengers to do the same.

If you can obtain hand sanitiser, keep some in your car as a back-up – though soap and water is always the better option.

What products to use?

As a classic car owner, you’re probably concerned that the products that kill germs will also damage your vehicle.

In fact, good old-fashioned soapy water is one of the very best weapons in the fight against Covid-19 and other germs. The soap breaks down the lipids that hold the virus together, so it collapses and becomes inactive.

Therefore, the regular cleaners that you use for your car will do an excellent job in shifting germs from those hard surfaces where the virus is most likely to linger.

Microfibre clothes or mitts allow you to rub surfaces down without scratching them.

Afterwards, wipe hard surfaces with disinfectant – but avoid anything containing bleach, ammonia or hydrogen peroxide, as these may damage your paint work and interiors.

Cleaners that contain more than 70% alcohol are generally both safe to use on cars, and effective in banishing germs. Alcohol wipes are a good option, though they may be hard to obtain.

As ever, if you’re using a new product and you are concerned about damage, test it in a small, inconspicuous area first.

It’s thought the Coronavirus doesn’t last as long on porous surfaces, such as leather. However, if you have leather seats or a leather steering wheel in your classic car, then it’s wise to give them a clean, too.

Take care, as many products will dry out leather and cause it to crack. Use a leather conditioner afterwards to keep it supple.

Remember to protect your valuable vehicle not just with a careful cleaning regime, but also by choosing the right classic auto insurance.

Personal Protective Equipment

While cleaning your car, it’s best to wear protective clothing – particularly if you or a passenger has experienced Covid-19 symptoms.

Government advice is to wear disposable or washing-up gloves, and a disposable apron. Face protection is also recommended if you fear the car may be heavily contaminated.

Avoid touching your face during your cleaning, and take a thorough shower afterwards.

Dealing with your cleaning equipment

If you think you or your car may have been contaminated with Coronavirus, then you need to take precautions when disposing of your cleaning equipment.

Double bag any wipes, cloths, gloves or aprons, and leave them in a secure place for at least three days before putting them out for waste collection.

If you’re being ultra-careful, you should wash your clothes at the highest possible temperature for their fabric type using cleaning powder or liquid that contains bleach.

Remember, though – by far the most likely route of transmission for germs is from person to person.

The best thing that most of us can do during the Covid-19 crisis is to stay at home as much as possible, and keep a two-metre distance from other people when you go out.

Enjoying your classic car

If you’re driving your classic car during the Corona crisis, for example to do essential grocery shopping or to get to your key worker job, then remember to take care when filling up.

If possible, choose self-service petrol stations to avoid contact with other people, handle the pump with disposable gloves if you have them, or wrap paper towels around the pump.

Pay using your contactless card, and wash or sanitise your hands as quickly as possible afterwards.

Be warned: demand for petrol has dropped dramatically during the crisis, meaning that some rural stations are considering closing.

And when driving, take extra care as the emergency services are under huge strain right now. Make sure you’ve got a suitable classic car insurance policy, too.

If your classic car is your hobby, then you’re probably dismayed by the cancellation of rallies, shows and events both in the UK and abroad.

Some events, however, are going ahead – but online.

Some auction houses are allowing you to view and bid for cars from the comfort of your sofa, allowing you to indulge your passion for classic motoring while keeping yourself and others safe.

Get a quote from Lancaster Insurance today

These are unprecedented times – but hopefully, you’ll be back on the road in your classic car before too long.

Lancaster Insurance specialises in arranging classic car insurance. Benefits can include limited mileage discount, off-road cover, and discounts for club members.

Contact us today to get a quote for your vehicle.