How an auto auction reconditions its cars was neatly described in a bulletin published by Mike Lawrence, Operator of the Vancouver Auto Auction. Lawrence recommends the following 31 steps:

1.      Remove air cleaner.

2.      Cover carburetor with polyethylene.

3.      Spray on degreasing motor cleaner (use 40 to 60 pounds air pressure). Let motor soak and proceed with the next step.

4.      Remove spare wheel and jack. Spend 15-20 minutes in cleaning trunk while motor is soaking.

5.      Vacuum trunk, then scrub mat with upholstery cleaner or vinyl cleaner.

6.      Return to motor. Apply a second coating of motor cleaner to motor.

7.      Flush off motor with water pressure gun (use 100 pounds or more pressure).

8.      Remove carburetor cover, start motor, close hood and let motor run through Step 9. Heat will dry motor.

9.      Paint spare wheel (original color only). Paint black portion of tire with dull black reconditioning paint or, if tire is in near new condition, apply rubber renewer or lubricant. If tire is whitewall, clean with whitewall cleaner or vinyl cleaner or, if not badly scuffed, upholstery cleaner.

10.  Check motor. If dry, turn off motor. Vacuum interior.

11.  Scrub interior with upholstery cleaner or vinyl cleaner. Clean dashboard, glove compartment and ash trays. Clean door jambs with kerosene or petroleum base cleaner, making certain that all grease and grime is removed and that weatherstrip is clean.

12.  Mask generator name plate, electrical connections, and all original decals.

13.  Remove battery caps and place in bucket of upholstery cleaner.

14.  Fill gun with engine paint to match original color of engine. Cover spark plugs with short lengths of heater hose. Paint engine, spraying only parts which were originally colored.

15.  Lay paper over engine to protect from overspray. Then spray everything under hood that was originally black with dull black reconditioning paint. If underside of hood was color; but is dull, spray it all black. Do not spray anything else black unless it is too rusty or worn to be made original.

16.  While black is in gun, spray wheel wells around all four wheels. Spray tail pipe if it hangs down below bumper; put paper behind license plate frames and spray. If car has black tires, spray them (overspray on wheels can easily be removed in later operations); spray all rubber floor mats in car that should be black.

17.  Use tar remover or spot remover to clean off all overspray around fenders, grille, wheels.

18.  Clean off all overspray on wires and hoses, under hood.

19.  Dip rag lightly in can of dull black reconditioning paint. Wipe over hoses and electrical wires where indicated.

20.  Mask decal on air cleaner.

21.  Paint air cleaner and oil filler cap with black engine paint or dull reconditioning paint.

22.  Use small paint brush to touch up anything under hood that does not look original.

23.  Clean vinyl top with vinyl cleaner; if badly soiled, use spot remover.

24.  Remove tar from wheels and finish with tar remover. Clean exterior finish of car. Mirror Glaze seems to work best on enamel finishes; GM Crystalite on acrylics. If the finish is oxidized, mix a little rubbing compound with a cleaner-polish and buff.

25.  Buff each panel of the car separately, using the selected cleaner-polish. Be sure to clean the buffing pad at frequent intervals.

26.  Wipe polish over entire car. Then wipe off with a soft rag.

27.  Wipe down vinyl top with top dressing,

28.  Clean chrome and grille with chrome cleaner.

29.  Clean windows with glass cleaner.

30.  Clean all polish and compound from around chrome mouldings and rubber weatherstripping with detail brush.

31.  If car has white sidewall tires, clean white with white tire cleaner and wipe over black part with rubber renewer.