1
Take the filter off
Open the airbox, undo the hose clamp and slide the pod filter off.
Tap it gently to knock off loose dirt. Cover the open inlet with a clean rag so nothing falls in.
Maintenance & Care
Service & care
Maintenance & CareSnorkels, airboxes and pod filters
Keep your CannaFab gear breathing clean and looking right. Service intervals, step-by-step filter washing and finish care. Tick things off as you go. Your ticks are saved on this device.
Pod filtersAirboxesSnorkelsBrushed & black finishes
Airbox serviceEvery regular serviceEvery 5,000 km in dusty conditions
Pod filtersWash up to 4 timesThen fit a new filter
Need a hand?0478 594 451Mon–Fri, 9am–3pm
01
When to do what
Dust is what clogs a filter, so dusty driving means more frequent services.
JobRegular useDusty conditions
Wash the pod filter(s)Reusable up to 4 times
Regular use:Every serviceDusty conditions:Every 5,000 km
Inspect the airbox and sealsSeals seated all the way round
Regular use:Every serviceDusty conditions:Every 5,000 km
Check bolts and mounting feetTight and secure
Regular use:Every serviceDusty conditions:Every 5,000 km
Clear the drain bung4 mm hex key
Regular use:Every serviceDusty conditions:Every 5,000 km
Check hose clampsAirbox and snorkel
Regular use:RegularlyDusty conditions:Regularly
Rinse the snorkelFresh water, then dry
After beach, mud or salt
Wax or seal the finishBlack powdercoat especially
Every few months
Re-check a new installAll bolts and clamps
After the first 200 km or first off-road trip
02
Washing your pod filter
CannaFab pod filters are dry, washable filters. No oil. Wash them at every service, or every 5,000 km in the dust.
Never use petrol, solvents, harsh degreasers or a pressure washer on the filter.
0 of 6 steps done
2
Spray on a dry-filter cleaner
Spray both sides with a cleaner made for dry (non-oiled) filters.
Leave it to soak for about 10 minutes. Don't let it dry on the filter.
3
Rinse from the inside out
Rinse with cool or warm water, never hot. Run it from the inside of the filter out, so the dirt leaves the way it came in.
Keep the pressure low: a garden hose with your thumb over the end, not a pressure washer.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 until the water runs clear.
4
Let it dry naturally
Shake off the excess water and let it air dry.
Don't use compressed air, a heat gun or a hair dryer. They can damage the mesh.
Refit it dry, or only just damp. Never soaking wet.
5
Don't oil it
These are dry filters. Never add filter oil. Oil can coat the MAF sensor and cause running problems.
6
Refit and log the wash
Slide the filter back on, centre it and tighten the clamp. Check the airbox seals are seated as you close it up.
Tick off a wash below and write the km on your service card.
Washes on this filterAfter the 4th wash, fit a new filter.
Time for a new one?CannaFab Pod Filter
8-ply washable mesh, 160 mm long. Your second filter is discounted automatically.
Shop pod filters
03
Airbox service
Do this at every regular service, or every 5,000 km in dusty conditions. It's the same list as the service card that came with your airbox.
Drain valve position
OpenLeave it open for everyday driving.
ClosedClose it before and during water crossings. Open it again once you're through.
Use blue Loctite whenever you refit a bolt you've removed.
04
Snorkel checks
A CannaFab snorkel needs very little. Keep the joins tight and the finish clean.
A snorkel doesn't make your vehicle waterproof. Check for leaks, never go deeper than your manufacturer's wading depth, and close the airbox drain valve before you cross.
Heading into heavy dust?Teardrop Pre-Filter Sock
Slips over the snorkel head for extreme dust. Remove it for normal driving: it can restrict airflow. Reusable: take it off, clean it and refit.
Shop the sock
05
Finish care
Which finish is your snorkel? Pick it below.
Brushed silver is raw stainless with no coating. Salt air, beach sand, mud and salted roads can leave light brown marks called tea staining. It's surface contamination, not the snorkel rusting through, and it cleans back in a few minutes.
How to clean it
- Wash firstWarm, soapy water lifts dust, salt and mud. Rinse and dry it fully.
- Apply a stainless cleanerUse a stainless-safe cleaner such as Bar Keepers Friend (Soft Cleanser or Powder). Work gently, rinse well, and never let it dry on the stainless.
- Light hand finishingA microfibre cloth or an ultra-fine grey pad (3M Scotch-Brite 7448). Rub gently with the brushed grain, never in circles.
- Polish3M Stainless Steel Polish or Autosol Stainless Steel Polish, until the staining lifts and the brushed finish looks even.
- Rinse, dry and protectDry it fully, then apply a light car wax, spray sealant or ceramic spray.
No steel wool, wire brushes, coarse sanding, bleach or chlorine cleaners, and don't leave acidic cleaner sitting on the stainless. Test a hidden spot first.
What to use
- Cleaner
- Bar Keepers Friend (Soft Cleanser or Powder)
- Pad
- 3M Scotch-Brite 7448 ultra-fine grey hand pad
- Polish
- 3M Stainless Steel Polish or Autosol Stainless Steel Polish
- Cloth
- Clean microfibre cloths
- Protection
- Car wax, spray sealant or ceramic spray
Equivalent products are fine. Always follow the label and test a hidden spot first.
Do
- Rinse after coastal, muddy or salted-road trips
- Use stainless-safe cleaners and polishes
- Always rub with the brushed grain
- Protect with wax, sealant or ceramic spray
Don't
- Use steel wool, wire brushes or coarse sanding
- Use bleach or chlorine cleaners
- Scrub in circles or across the grain
- Let cleaner dry on the stainless
Deep pitting, damaged welds or staining that won't polish out? Email us close-up photos. info@cannafab.com.au
Powdercoat is a tough, baked-on coating over the stainless. It's not the metal itself, so treat it like your vehicle's paint: gentle cleaning, no abrasives or harsh solvents, and touch up any chip that reaches bare metal.
How to clean it
- Rinse loose dirt firstHose off mud, dust, salt and grit so you don't grind it into the coating.
- Wash gentlyWarm water and a mild car-wash shampoo with a soft microfibre mitt. Top to bottom.
- Rinse and dryRinse with fresh water and dry with a clean microfibre towel.
- ProtectCar wax, spray sealant or a UV protectant. It slows sun fade and chalking. Reapply every few months.
- Check for chipsLook over the edges and high-impact spots. Touch up anything down to bare metal.
No abrasive pads, steel wool, cutting compound or wire brushes, and no acetone, thinners, petrol or strong degreasers. Keep pressure washers back and on low. Don't polish satin or matte finishes: it leaves shiny patches.
Scratches and chips
Level 1Light marks
Coating still intact. Most marks are transferred rubber or dirt: try a damp microfibre with mild soapy water first. On gloss, a little car polish then wax. On satin or textured, don't polish or rub hard.
Level 2Deep scratch
Bare metal showing. Clean, dry, wipe with isopropyl alcohol, then brush on colour-matched black touch-up paint in thin coats. Seal it promptly, especially near the coast.
Level 3Chips and wear
Touch-up handles small chips. For large damage or heavy fade, the best fix is a re-powdercoat. Send us close-up photos and we'll advise or arrange it.
What to use
- Wash
- Mild, pH-neutral car-wash shampoo
- Mitt / cloth
- Microfibre wash mitt and drying towels
- Protect
- Car wax, sealant or ceramic spray with UV protection
- Light marks
- Car polish or paint cleaner (gloss finishes only)
- Touch-up
- Colour-matched satin or gloss black touch-up paint
- Prep
- Isopropyl alcohol (not acetone, thinners or petrol)
Equivalent products are fine. Always follow the label and test a hidden spot first.
Do
- Rinse before washing to remove grit
- Use mild car shampoo and microfibre
- Wax or seal for UV protection
- Touch up chips promptly
Don't
- Use abrasive pads, steel wool or cutting compound
- Use acetone, thinners or strong degreasers
- Polish matte or satin finishes
- Sand scratches or leave bare metal exposed
Large damaged areas, heavy fade, or want it re-powdercoated? Email us close-up photos. info@cannafab.com.au
06
Trip checklist
Run through it before you head off and again when you're home. Clear the ticks for the next trip.
Before you go
When you get home
Questions about your gear?
Talk to the people who built it. Call 0478 594 451 (Mon–Fri, 9am–3pm) or email info@cannafab.com.au. Include a photo and your order number and we'll help you sort it.
Install guides · Recommended fitters · Installation policy
Maintenance guide v1.0 · updated 1 Oct 2026