How to clean and fix items.

You see some rusted hunk of junk and you wonder how it can ever get fixed. You see some items that can clean the car. A spray bottle that seems to clean or not clean? A sponge that seems to not clean off rust? A wire brush that don't polish? The items don't work like you wanted because you don't know how to use them. That's why you are reading this guide right?


Each fresh brush and sponge has a maximum of 4 uses, and sometimes you can only find used with less uses. The spray bottle has unlimited uses as long as you have spray ammo. The sponge and brush require some rubbing on a single item. The spray bottle has to spray 4 times on one item before it's condition improves. The conditions of the cleaning items are not always more than one use. When there is no scrub felt on the sponge, or wire on the bush, the tools are used up so throw them away, literally.

Cleaning begins by assessing the condition of the item. In this case it's a hub cap. It's fully rusted and needs a full restore. However this is also a good learning opportunity to learn to clean and what items clean the condition.
We will use the wire brush and scrub the rust off. Some rust has been scrubbed off. The bare metal can be seen. But it's still rusty.
We will use the wire brush and scrub the rust off. That would mean the brush will have to be used again to improve item condition. Here is the hub cap. It still has some rust but the color has improved from brown to white. This is the transition point. On a car it looks like the paint has been stripped off. The spray bottle can also fix this condition to the next stage. After the first use of the sponge or spray bottle, the hub cap looks like it's metal plate is completely restored. However it's not done yet. Parts on the car now have color but they still look dirty and faded without a paint and polish finish. The hub cap has been fully restored with ether the use of sponge or spray bottle. The peak condition reached is when the item has light reflection.

The Official Condition Definitions

Rusty
Needs wire brush to remove before spray bottle or sponge.
Crusty
Needs another use of wire brush.
Rough
The hubcaps and anything that is unpainted needs another brushing. Painted objects need the sponge. Spray Bottle can now be used.
Dull
A sponge is needed for polished reflective shine and popping textures.
Pristine
Top Condition with clear reflections on surface.

Now you know how to properly clean. But only some items can be cleaned.

What can be cleaned?

Vehicle Bodies
Wheels
Hub Caps
Doors
Trunks
Mirrors
Guns
Bumpers
Grills
Radio Units
Hand Brakes
Sun Visors
Steering Wheels
Glove box lids
Binoclulars
Compasses
Buckets
Car Gauges
Refrigerators
Trailers
Motocycle Fuel Tanks
External car fuel tanks

Tires - With only Spray Bottle

What can't be cleaned?

Radiators
Station Fuel Pumps (but why would you anyway?)
In the Test Beta update, the revolver gun can't be cleaned.
Note: There is a hit reaction scrubbing with brush or sponge but it won't change the condition.

What has fixed condition?
Engines
Jerry Cans
Oil Cans
Barrels
Car Seats

Cleaning tools are found as random generated loot, like food. One location will always have all three items, or many of one cleaning tool. It is the diner rest stop. There are going to be some spray bottles and sponges outside, but more so a selected many amount on the sink in the kitchen out back. Also some rare cars spawn around the diner, a good test to what you have learned.

Is it worth it to clean firearms you find?
Cleaning and restoring gun item types increases the damage of that gun. The starting BB gun you have can't headshot kill rabbits but a polished one can. It can't be confirmed with actual firearms because rabbit enemies are killed in one shot.

The Spray Bottle is not restoring the tire.
Dismount the tire from the wheel first before spaying. It will hit scan the wheel or "rim" instead. Make sure the spray is splashing off the tire, as it is considered a hit. It takes 4 hits from the Spray Bottle to change the condition.

The bumper of my car is not getting cleaned.
A bumper with metal, like a Lada is determined by the level of rust that is on the metal of the mostly rubber bumper. The rust level still might be too high for the use of the sponge and spray.