It’s a Constant Hustle

Written by Pam Oakes, MACS Instructional Content Designer – Published 6/3/25

If you work in a shop – big or small – you already know the pace is non-stop. There’s always something to do: the next repair, the next customer, the next fire to put out. It’s a constant hustle. And in that kind of environment, basic maintenance tasks can easily slip through the cracks if they’re not part of a strict schedule. One area that often gets overlooked is your ADAS targets. And let’s be real – when the vehicle owner wants their car back yesterday, you’re focused on getting the job done, not wiping down target faces. 

With that being said, just because targets aren’t used as frequently – like the aligner or scanner – doesn’t mean they don’t deserve your attention. Even if they’re covered, dust, dirt, and the occasional “paw print” finds a way to settle on the board face. And we know those tiny particles can sneak into everything no matter how careful you are handling the objects. But here’s the problem: If the target face isn’t clean, you run the risk of getting a false positive during calibration/recalibration. 

So, what’s the best way to clean them? Grab a clean bucket of water, add about a teaspoon of dish soap, and use a fresh, soft microfiber cloth to gently wipe down the surface. Be very careful here – any scratches on the target face can also cause calibration errors – and once that surface is damaged, there’s no repairing it. 

After washing and rinsing, follow up with another clean, dry microfiber cloth to remove any leftover moisture. And don’t forget about the storage containers – give them a quick trip outside and dry them with a light pulse of compressed air. The goal is simple: keep every target face as clean and debris-free as possible to ensure accurate, hassle-free calibrations/recalibrations every time.

About the author: Pam Oakes is an Instructional Content Designer at MACS. Pam provides automotive training at all levels, including train-the-trainer, professional technicians, and scholastic programs, with over 20 years of hands-on experience running a 12-bay shop in Florida. She has been a MACS Section 609 proctor since 2016 with additional expertise including ADAS calibration, fleet training, and technical curriculum development for major corporations. You can reach Pam at poakes@macsmobileairclimate.org.