APC for Car Detailing: Dilution Ratios and Uses

An all-purpose cleaner, or APC, is one of the most useful bottles in a detailing kit and one of the most misused. It is a concentrate: how it behaves depends almost entirely on how much you dilute it and where you use it. Too strong and you risk damaging a surface. Too weak and it does nothing. This guide covers what an APC is, how to choose a dilution for each job, and when you need a dedicated degreaser instead.

What an APC does

An APC is a versatile cleaner for interior and exterior surfaces: fabric and carpet, interior stains, wheel arches and engine bays. As GYEON puts it for its Q²M APC, its cleaning power depends on the correct dilution for the job. That is the key idea: one product, several strengths.

The golden rule: start weak and step up

GYEON’s guidance is to always start with the highest dilution (the weakest mix) for your task, then reduce the dilution step by step to increase cleaning power. Begin gently, and only strengthen the mix if the stain does not lift. It is also sensible to test a mix on a small, hidden area first, particularly on leather and plastics.

Dilution ratios from the product pages

The GYEON Q²M APC runs from 1:5 for exterior applications up to 1:15 for interior cleaning. In extreme cases, such as very dirty wheel arches or engine bays, it can be used at 1:1. GYEON lists consumption at about 150 ml per car.
The GreenZ All Purpose Cleaner (APC) is listed at 1:10 for fabric cleaning, 1:8 for general cleaning, 1:6 for wheel cleaning and 1:5 for the engine bay.
The Malco Red Thunder All Purpose Cleaner & Degreaser is a highly concentrated, non-caustic, aluminium-safe APC with the same listed ratios: 1:10 for fabric, 1:8 general, 1:6 wheels and 1:5 engine bay. It is suited to vinyl, plastic, carpet, upholstery, engines, tyres and wheels.
The Nanolex Interior Cleaner Concentrate is for leather, vinyl and plastic: mix 1:3 for tough jobs and up to 1:5 for general maintenance. It is phosphate-free, non-acidic and non-caustic, and leaves surfaces clean, streak-free and without glossiness.

Always follow the label of the specific product, because strengths differ between brands.

Where to use it

Fabric, carpet and upholstery

This is where an APC earns its place. The GreenZ APC removes dirt from fabric, carpet, upholstery, vinyl and leather, and its alkaline cleaner and wetting agents foam enough to lift dirt out of floor mats while staying gentle enough to clean leather safely. For stubborn stains on carpets and fabrics, the Angelwax Absolution Superior APC is a carpet and upholstery APC that Angelwax describes as free of harsh chemicals.

Leather, vinyl and plastic

Use a weaker dilution here. For dedicated leather care, use a leather cleaner such as the GYEON Q²M LeatherCleaner Natural instead of a stronger APC. The Optimum Power Clean APC is described as safe yet powerful, usable full strength on heavily soiled surfaces such as oily grime and brake dust, and diluted for leather, vinyl and plastics.

Wheels and wheel arches

Stronger dilutions suit wheel arches and dirty wheels (for example, 1:6 for the GreenZ and Malco APCs, or as low as 1:1 for GYEON in extreme cases). For wheel faces with heavy brake dust, use a dedicated wheel cleaner and a proper wheel brush.

Engine bay

The engine bay needs the strongest everyday mix: 1:5 for the GreenZ and Malco APCs. For heavy grease, step up to a degreaser.

When you need a degreaser instead

The GreenZ Degreaser is a highly concentrated degreaser for heavy dirt and greasy stains on wheels and engine bays, listed at 1:10, and safe for chromed, polished, powder-coated, aluminium and steel wheels.
The Malco Potent Purple™ Super Duty Degreaser is a caustic degreaser for the heaviest accumulations of grease and oily dirt, usable at up to 1:3. Because it is caustic, treat it with more care than a general APC.

Use the right cloth

A good cleaner still needs a good towel. The GreenZ All Purpose Microfiber Towel is a 400 gsm, 40 by 40 cm towel made for interior cleaning, wheel cleaning and polish removal. Wash microfiber without bleach or fabric softener. Our microfiber towel guide covers the types.

Common mistakes

Starting at full strength instead of working up from the weakest dilution.
Using one dilution for every job.
Using a strong alkaline or caustic product on leather and delicate plastics.
Not rinsing or wiping off cleaner residue.
Skipping a spot test on an unfamiliar surface.

If you are putting together a kit for a studio, see our starter kit guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an APC in car detailing?

An APC, or all-purpose cleaner, is a concentrated cleaner used for jobs such as fabric and carpet cleaning, interior stains, wheel arches and engine bays. Its cleaning power depends on how much you dilute it, so one bottle can serve several tasks.

How do I dilute an APC?

Follow the product's label, and start with the weakest mix for your task, then reduce the dilution step by step if it is not strong enough. For example, GYEON Q²M APC runs from 1:5 for exterior applications up to 1:15 for interior cleaning, and up to 1:1 in extreme cases like very dirty wheel arches or engine bays.

What dilution should I use for fabric, wheels and the engine bay?

For the GreenZ All Purpose Cleaner and the Malco Red Thunder, the listed ratios are 1:10 for fabric cleaning, 1:8 for general cleaning, 1:6 for wheel cleaning and 1:5 for the engine bay.

Is an APC safe for leather?

Some are made to be. The GreenZ All Purpose Cleaner is described as gentle enough to clean leather safely, and Nanolex Interior Cleaner Concentrate is designed for leather, vinyl and plastic. Use a weaker dilution, test a hidden area first, and use a dedicated leather cleaner for leather care.

What is the difference between an APC and a degreaser?

A degreaser is for heavy grease and oily dirt, such as on wheels and in the engine bay. The GreenZ Degreaser is listed at 1:10, and the Malco Potent Purple is a caustic degreaser usable at up to 1:3, so it needs more care than a general APC.