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General => Detailing => Topic started by: jimbooboo on 31 October 2009, 01:00

Title: upholstery cleaning
Post by: jimbooboo on 31 October 2009, 01:00
I know this may possible be the sinlge most stupidest question regarding cleaning the seats of a car ever...but

Is it possible to remove the seat upholstery leaving bare foam and stick it in a cold wash so it doesn't shrink? Or let it soak for bit in some soapy water etc?

James
Title: Re: This may sound incredibly dumb.
Post by: Dan J on 31 October 2009, 17:16
a spray extraction machine and an experienced valeter/detailer will make your seats look new again providing theirs no mega nastys in the fabric,

no need to take the fabric off the seats.(long way round)
Title: Re: This may sound incredibly dumb.
Post by: jimbooboo on 31 October 2009, 17:40
I don't have the tool and stuff you mentioned.I do however have a washing machine/bucket of water.

James
Title: Re: This may sound incredibly dumb.
Post by: AliBailey88 on 31 October 2009, 18:24
if you take the fabric off, it will never fit the same again.

i robbed my mums Vax, worked a treat.
Title: Re: This may sound incredibly dumb.
Post by: GOLF_STU on 31 October 2009, 19:30
carpet/upholstery cleaner is the way. i replaced one part fo my drivers seat and definatly would not wanna do the whole interior  :sad:
Title: Re: This may sound incredibly dumb.
Post by: jimbooboo on 31 October 2009, 20:15
Think I'll steer clear of taking it all off then.
Title: Massive interior overhaul :P
Post by: jimbooboo on 31 October 2009, 22:02
As above, can anyone give me any tips and recommend any products. Want to get it lookin clean and fresh. And have that new car smell too.

James
Title: Re: Massive interior overhaul :P
Post by: VWKev on 31 October 2009, 22:16
As above, can anyone give me any tips and recommend any products. Want to get it lookin clean and fresh. And have that new car smell too.

James

I can only comment on these 2 as I have never used them at first hand, but I read half the internet trying to figure out what to buy when I was getting all my detailing stuff. 

Poorboys Natural Look would be my no1 choice with Meguires NXT Tech at no2.

I have first hand experience with Meguires Quik Detailer and its really good, I bought that particular one as I wanted just to buff up my interior as its still new.

Chemical Guy's new car smell air freshener is scarily good, a friend of mine has it and its pretty weird getting into an older car that smells new.
Title: Re: Massive interior overhaul :P
Post by: Guy on 31 October 2009, 22:42
jim

get yourself a decent degreaser... something along the lines of megs APC... dilute this down 4:1 in a spray bottle and use this to clean your plastics and headlining

for your upholstery.. your best bet is to shampoo material to get it looking its best... you will be surprised what a turn about you can achieve

find a friend with a 'george' with some APC and some autosmart 'brisk' or 'biobrisk' or rent a rug doctor http://rent.rugdoctor.com/ (http://rent.rugdoctor.com/) you will be amazed at how much dirt you can remove from seats and carpets...

vacuum your carpets thoroughly first... then shampoo the seats & carpets... use a short scrubbing brush like this http://www.vikan.com/sw3699.asp (http://www.vikan.com/sw3699.asp) to scrub the material and work the cleaning agents into it and extract as much water as possible... you will need a day (min) for them to dry fully.

et voila http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=89507.msg1186179#msg1186179 (http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=89507.msg1186179#msg1186179)

you can then use quick detailers and smellies etc for dressing... think along the lines of 'fabreeze'.. it only masks smells etc... but if you want it 'clean' then you will have to do the work above... it will then naturally smell fresher too.
Title: Re: Massive interior overhaul :P
Post by: jimbooboo on 31 October 2009, 23:17
Awesome mate, think I have a vac in the garage that can suck up water. Not sure if that will work... will have a go tho.

Thanks for the tips.

james
Title: Re: Massive interior overhaul :P
Post by: Guy on 01 November 2009, 22:35
Awesome mate, think I have a vac in the garage that can suck up water. Not sure if that will work... will have a go tho.

Thanks for the tips.

james

james... where do you live?
Title: Re: Massive interior overhaul :P
Post by: jimbooboo on 02 November 2009, 22:46
Barnsley in south Yorkshire.

Title: Re: Massive interior overhaul :P
Post by: Guy on 03 November 2009, 00:08
Barnsley in south Yorkshire.

tis a bit far for me!  :laugh:
Title: Re: This may sound incredibly dumb.
Post by: mikemk4gti on 07 November 2009, 22:25
you can hire a machine to clean them. My local Morrisons and Homebase do one with an upholstery tool for about £20 for a day so you can do the house and the car!
Title: Re: Massive interior overhaul :P
Post by: Jimp on 08 November 2009, 11:21
jim

get yourself a decent degreaser... something along the lines of megs APC... dilute this down 4:1 in a spray bottle and use this to clean your plastics and headlining

for your upholstery.. your best bet is to shampoo material to get it looking its best... you will be surprised what a turn about you can achieve

find a friend with a 'george' with some APC and some autosmart 'brisk' or 'biobrisk' or rent a rug doctor http://rent.rugdoctor.com/ (http://rent.rugdoctor.com/) you will be amazed at how much dirt you can remove from seats and carpets...

vacuum your carpets thoroughly first... then shampoo the seats & carpets... use a short scrubbing brush like this http://www.vikan.com/sw3699.asp (http://www.vikan.com/sw3699.asp) to scrub the material and work the cleaning agents into it and extract as much water as possible... you will need a day (min) for them to dry fully.

et voila http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=89507.msg1186179#msg1186179 (http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=89507.msg1186179#msg1186179)

you can then use quick detailers and smellies etc for dressing... think along the lines of 'fabreeze'.. it only masks smells etc... but if you want it 'clean' then you will have to do the work above... it will then naturally smell fresher too.
Sorry if this is a bit of a stupid question, but when you are shampooing the seats and carpets and have scrubbed in the shampoo do you then dry off the surface stuff and leave it to dry or do you just leave it sit?
Title: Re: Massive interior overhaul :P
Post by: Guy on 08 November 2009, 11:44
jim

get yourself a decent degreaser... something along the lines of megs APC... dilute this down 4:1 in a spray bottle and use this to clean your plastics and headlining

for your upholstery.. your best bet is to shampoo material to get it looking its best... you will be surprised what a turn about you can achieve

find a friend with a 'george' with some APC and some autosmart 'brisk' or 'biobrisk' or rent a rug doctor http://rent.rugdoctor.com/ (http://rent.rugdoctor.com/) you will be amazed at how much dirt you can remove from seats and carpets...

vacuum your carpets thoroughly first... then shampoo the seats & carpets... use a short scrubbing brush like this http://www.vikan.com/sw3699.asp (http://www.vikan.com/sw3699.asp) to scrub the material and work the cleaning agents into it and extract as much water as possible... you will need a day (min) for them to dry fully.

et voila http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=89507.msg1186179#msg1186179 (http://www.golfgtiforum.co.uk/index.php?topic=89507.msg1186179#msg1186179)

you can then use quick detailers and smellies etc for dressing... think along the lines of 'fabreeze'.. it only masks smells etc... but if you want it 'clean' then you will have to do the work above... it will then naturally smell fresher too.
Sorry if this is a bit of a stupid question, but when you are shampooing the seats and carpets and have scrubbed in the shampoo do you then dry off the surface stuff and leave it to dry or do you just leave it sit?

you have highlighted the answer... you extract as much water as possible.. they will be left slightly damp once you have extracted them and will need a day to dry fully
Title: Re: upholstery cleaning
Post by: paddy_coyle on 08 November 2009, 16:05
I used a steam cleaner on my headling, seats and carpets yesterday, the results were fantastic