Automotive Detailing: How to Clean Automotive Upholstery
Maintaining or restoring the “looks-like-new” condition of their automobiles is a consuming interest for most car owners. Most owners are interested in preserving their investment and enjoying the full use of their vehicles for as long as possible. Other owners are interested in restoring a vehicle to the best condition possible in order to sell it or get a favorable trade-in value. Still others are attempting to restore a vehicle as a hobby, joining the many proud owners of classic and antique vehicles. These consumers want quality automotive cleaning products that will enable them to refurbish their autos quickly, with as little effort as possible. One particular problem, especially with older vehicles, is how to clean automotive upholstery. Is it different from furniture upholstery? Is it possible to clean the upholstery while it's still in place, or does it require removal? Is it necessary to use products specifically designed for these interior automotive fabrics?
Even new vehicles can become soiled. A misplaced cup of coffee, a forgotten and melted crayon, a wad of gum tracked into the car on the driver’s shoe, or a sick puppy can present a daunting cleaning problem. Neglecting the problem at its inception, or only partially cleaning it before allowing it to age with the car, can make its removal extremely challenging. It is always best to deal with stains immediately.
By and large, the same product that will clean a leather or vinyl chair should work on a leather or vinyl car interior. Automotive carpeting should respond to the same techniques as household carpet, depending on the fibers used. The same applies to fabric upholstery. Therefore, identifying the material of your car's interior is the first step in cleaning it.
Second, try to determine what may have created the stain. This step may be difficult if the stain is old or you just bought the car. Spilled cola and grease may leave stains that are similar in color, but they would respond best to different types of spot removers. It is important to choose the correct automotive cleaning products for the job or stain.
Before attempting to clean and refresh the entire interior surface, deal with unusual stains first. Gum or other, similar, sticky substances need careful handling. There are currently available products that can freeze sticky substances in place, altering their chemical composition, making removal easier through scraping.
Other messes, like the above-mentioned crayon, also need special handling. Crayon is wax-based but also has pigment. Its removal may need two steps and two entirely different products, depending on how badly it has melted into the fabric. A specially formulated crayon removal product serves as an effective initial step.
Use a good spot remover to remove sugar-based food and drink spills on fabric, even if they are old. You should follow this step with a thorough steam cleaning. If these stains are on the stitching of vinyl or leather, they may respond to the spot cleaner alone. Use a good degreaser, like Formula 21 Grease Stain Remover, to blot grease-based stains.
After addressing all the unique stains appropriately, thoroughly clean the interior, taking into account the type of upholstery. Use a specially formulated product like Fuller Vinyl and Leather Cleaner to clean leather and vinyl. Built-up grime on older seats may also respond to washing with a good degreasing product such as the Fulsol All-Purpose Degreaser. Fabric seats and carpets should be able to handle a thorough steam cleaning. Take care not to overwet the fabric. Work slowly in small areas and only dampen the surface enough to remove the soil, as you cannot remove the upholstery and carpet to dry. Leaving the doors and/or windows open for a while after the cleaning is complete may also hasten the trying time. Check with the manufacturer before treating or steam-cleaning antique fabrics.
With a little pre-planning and care, and with the right automotive detailing products, you can become an expert in how to clean automotive upholstery.
Post a Comment for "Automotive Detailing: How to Clean Automotive Upholstery"