Best All Purpose Cleaners APC for Cars

All-purpose cleaners (APCs) are some of the most versatile chemicals in the detailing world, used for everything from pre-washing to interior cleaning and engine bay degreasing. A good APC saves time, reduces the number of products you need, and cuts through grime far more effectively than standard exterior shampoos.

In our experience, the best APCs deliver strong cleaning power without damaging plastics, fabrics, or paintwork when diluted properly. They are essential for both professionals and enthusiasts who want a reliable solution for wheels, door shuts, plastics, fabrics, and even pre-wash stages.

What Are APCs and Where Do You Use Them?

An All-Purpose Cleaner is a concentrated surfactant-based solution designed to emulsify grime, grease, and organic contamination. Unlike pH-neutral shampoos designed to be gentle on wax, APCs are typically alkaline (pH 10-13) to provide "bite."

Exterior Uses

• Pre-Wash: Applied to lower door panels and bumpers to soften bug splatter and road grime before contact washing.
• Engine Bays: Breaks down oil and grease on engine covers and hoses.
• Wheel Arches & Tyres: Strips old tyre dressing and "blooming" (browning) from rubber sidewalls.

Interior Uses

• Fabrics & Carpets: Agitated with a brush to lift mud and coffee stains.
• Door Cards & Dashboards: Cleans scuff marks from plastic and vinyl (requires high dilution).
• Door Shuts: Cleans the greasy hinges and painted areas hidden by the closed door.

How to Choose the Best APC (What to Look For)

When selecting an APC, pay attention to the following criteria:

Top APC Recommendations

Below are the best all-purpose cleaners for specific tasks, from industrial degreasers to gentle citrus pre-washes.

Product	Image	Cleaning Strength	Dilution Range	Interior Safety	Exterior Use	Scent	Best For
Bilt Hamber Surfex HD		Very high	1:5–1:50	Moderate (use weaker mixes)	Excellent (wheels, arches, engine bay)	Neutral	Heavy-duty degreasing and tough grime
Koch Chemie Green Star GS		High	1:5–1:30	Good (safe on plastics/fabrics)	Excellent	Mild	Flexible all-rounder for pro detailers
Gyeon Q²M APC		Medium–High	1:10–1:60	Very good	Very good	Mild	Interiors + coated cars + general exterior
Valet Pro Classic APC		Medium	1:5–1:20	Good	Good	Mild chemical	Budget-friendly general use
Stjarnagloss Först X		High (citrus-based)	1:5–1:25	Not ideal	Excellent	Strong citrus	Heavy exterior grime, winter muck
Stjarnagloss Först (RTU)		Medium (ready-to-use)	Ready to use	Moderate (avoid trim fabrics)	Very good	Citrus	Quick pre-wash without mixing

Verdict

If you need good products to handle all-purpose cleaning, Bilt Hamber Surfex HD and Koch Chemie Green Star GS are widely regarded as gold-standard options in the UK. Both are water-based formulas but deceptively powerful; at around 5% dilution many people find they perform as well as pure degreasers from other brands. They offer some of the best “bang for your buck” in this category.

However, for those focusing on maintaining a ceramic coated vehicle, Stjarnagloss Först is an exceptional pre-wash choice. It offers the cleaning power of an APC with the safety of a citrus cleaner, ensuring you don't degrade your protection while stripping winter salt and grime.

Frequently Asked Questions