Elbow Grease

'Elbow Grease' is an idiom for hard work. Huge amounts of elbow grease are required for the cleaning of fabric soft top roofs, in addition to repeated repetition and long periods of waiting time.

The process for cleaning is to lather, scrub, rinse and repeat, and repeat, and repeat, until the roof looks clean and when you rinse, the suds run white. The scrubbing part is what really gets the roof clean, and this is really hard work. 

Next you have to wait for the roof to dry, and then you can apply 1-2 coats of weatherproofing, letting it dry between coats.

If you are doing this by hand, at home, using a kit such as the one by AutoGlym, this could take you two days work on a filthy roof and require a number of kits.

So how do we do it within a day?

The simple answer is that we have several tools that help us speed up the process. Mechanical brushes are a hundred times faster than brushing by hand. Even so, it's still hard work, and so very messy!

We have industrial pressure washers. This doesn't mean they work at a higher pressure, quite the opposite, they work at low pressures but are connected to pipes that can push out huge volumes of water, making rinsing the car far quicker.

We also use air tools to help us dry the hood, so there is less waiting time. 

People often ask us what products we use, assuming we have found some secret formula for soap or detergent that removes the greening like magic, and believe us, we have certainly looked for one. But thus far, elbow grease seems to be the key to success.

 

What it means

Elbow grease is a colloquial way of saying hard manual work. In car care it means doing the cleaning and polishing by hand – scrubbing wheels with brushes, working polish in with applicators, or agitating a soft top with hand brushes – rather than letting machines or strong chemicals do most of the work. It emphasises effort and patience instead of gadgets and shortcuts.

Why it matters

• Sometimes the safest option: On delicate materials such as soft tops, rubbers and older paintwork, controlled hand work can be gentler and safer than heavy machines or harsh products.
• Reaches awkward areas: There are plenty of spots – around trims, hinges, rubbers and inside cabins – where machines simply will not reach and elbow grease is the only realistic option.
• Shows the limits of DIY: If a job needs huge amounts of elbow grease to get a modest result, it can be a sign that professional tools, products or even restoration are more appropriate.
• Part of realistic expectations: Terms like “just needs a bit of elbow grease” are often used to downplay how much time and labour are actually required to turn a tired car around.

Where you’ll see it

You will see elbow grease mentioned in inspection notes, estimates and general advice about valeting and restoration. Typical phrases include will clean up with some elbow grease, requires more than just elbow grease, recommend machine polishing or roof beyond elbow grease, needs professional restoration. It is also common in casual conversation when people talk about tackling a job themselves at the weekend.

Context

Elbow grease sits at the very manual end of the car care scale, opposite specialist machinery and advanced chemicals. Washing, clay barring, hand polishing and scrubbing interiors all rely on it to some extent. Professional detailers still use plenty of elbow grease, but combine it with the right tools – mechanical brushes, machine polishers, extraction machines and carefully chosen chemicals – so the work is effective, consistent and controlled. In leak and soft top work, elbow grease alone will not fix membranes, stitching or water damage, but it is part of the cleaning and preparation that supports proper repairs and protection.

Common mistakes

• Underestimating how much time and effort “a bit of elbow grease” actually involves on a heavily neglected car.
• Trying to make up for the wrong products or poor technique by simply scrubbing harder, which can lead to wear marks, marring and damage.
• Assuming elbow grease alone will fix problems like oxidised paint, deep staining, roof wear or water damage that really need machines or professional intervention.
• Over-using elbow grease on delicate areas – such as soft tops, rubbers and old paint – where controlled mechanical tools and mild chemistry would actually be kinder.

Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 05/12/2025 16:29