Prepping the filter

• When cleaning a reusable engine air filter, you will need a recharger kit. The kit contains the solutions you will need to remove the dirt and grease from your air filter. It's important to read all safety instructions included in your kit to ensure that not only your air filter gets cleaned properly, but that you do not accidentally touch or get the solution on your skin. The first goal is to remove the air filter from your vehicle. This simple process may not require any tools, depending on the type of vehicle you have. Certain trucks will require a screwdriver to access the air filter, and you will need to loosen and remove a few screws. Once you have found and removed the air filter, you may begin the cleaning process.
  
  

Cleaning

• There should be a bottle of filter cleaner in your recharger kit. Spray the cleaner filter on the clean side of your filter, as well as the dirty side of the filter. You will need to allow the cleaner to soak into both sides of the filter, so that the dirt gets loosened. This process should take about 10 minutes. Make sure that the cleaner does not dry on the filter. It's important to not let it soak for any longer than 10 minutes, as the drying process will start if left on longer than the allotted time. After 10 minutes, you will be ready to rinse the filter. In order to do this, use cool water at a low pressure. Do not apply the water to the dirty side of the filter. Instead, let the water run on the clean side of the filter. It will run through to the dirty side and wash the dirt off. Let the water run up and down the length of the pleats in the filter. Continue rinsing the filter until all the cleaner is washed off. If your filter is extremely dirty, you may have to repeat the cleaning steps again. If you notice individual spots of dirt on the filter, spray each spot individually and wait a few minutes for it to soak into the filter before you go through the rinsing step again.
  
  

Applying oil

• After you have rinsed the filter, shake off excess water and let the filter dry on its own. Just leave it outside to dry naturally. The filter has to be dry completely before you go on to the oiling stage. When you have determined that you are ready to oil the filter, use the oil in the recharging kit for the filter. This usually comes in a squeeze bottle to make application easy. Begin by squeezing a drop of oil at the top of the first pleat in the filter. Use the tip of the squeeze bottle to blend the oil throughout the pleat. Continue this step until you have applied oil to each pleat in the filter. You will then have to wait at least 20 minutes for the oil to be absorbed into the filter before reinstalling it in your vehicle. However, before reinstalling the filter, look for light spots on the filter after the oil has been absorbed. This will indicate areas that need a touch-up with the oil. If you see lighter spots, put a dab of oil on these areas. Let it dry before you reinstall the filter.