Materials: Portable vacuum with attachments
Clean cloths or towels
Paintbrush, toothbrush, cotton swabs
Vinyl cleaner/restorer
Optional: foaming upholstery cleaner
Optional: portable deep cleaner
- Aside from aesthetics, there are practical reasons for keeping your car's interior clean. Dirt that's ground into the carpet and upholstery will accelerate wear of the fabric.
- To clean your car's interior, you'll need a good portable vacuum (figure A ) that has a variety of attachments. Begin by getting rid of any large debris and taking the floormats out of the car. Vacuum the upholstery seat covers and carpets thoroughly. Work from the back of the car to the front and from the top down.
- Use the vacuum's crevice tool to clean between seat cushions (figure B) and in other tight spots such as ashtrays and coin holders and around the gear shift and parking-brake handle.
- Now move to the vinyl and plastic parts -- the side panels, center console, seat backs, dashboard, etc. Start by sitting in the back seat and cleaning from the center of the car (e.g., the center console) to the outer areas. Clean with a damp cloth and follow with a dry one. Once all areas are clean, apply a vinyl cleaner and restorer. This will enhance the appearance and help preserve the vinyl. Use a paintbrush or toothbrush to help clean debris out of tight spots. Use a cotton swab dipped in vinyl cleaner to reach into the tightest spots, such as seams, the areas around panel switches and inside air-conditioner vents.
- Use a foaming cleaner to remove upholstery stains. Follow the manufacturer's instructions. In most cases, you spray the cleaner directly onto the stain, let it foam, use a sponge to work it into the fabric, and wipe it away with a clean, damp sponge. Vacuum up the residual cleaner.
- To thoroughly clean all the upholstery and carpet, consider using a rented portable deep cleaner. Deep cleaners have two fluid containers: one that dispenses a cleaning solution and another that recovers the fluid and dirt. The cleaning spray is dispensed by a trigger, and the vacuum head lifts away dirt and grime (figure C).
- If the carpet is beyond repair, check with an auto center about ordering molded replacement carpets cut to fit your vehicle. If the dashboard is ruined, custom covers (figure D) are available. Replacement seat covers may be ordered as well.
RESOURCES :
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Trouble-Free Car Care
Author: Dan Ramsey
ISBN: 0028635833
Alpha Books
Ultimate Auto Detailing
Model: 0879389419
Author: David H. Jacobs
(1995)
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
Motorbooks International
Auto Detailing: Step-By-Step Procedures for Complete Automobile Detailing
Model: 0801983940
Author: James Joseph
(1998)
To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.
Chilton Book Company
Westchester, PA 19380
Phone: 610-738-9280
Fax: 610-738-9354
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