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Do it yourself tips on Detailing Car Interiors....
by Joe Seals on Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 2:03pm
Tips on Detailing Car Interiors
By Joe Seals
Detailing the outside of your car involves washing and waxing the surface. This makes your car shine and protects the surface. But what you see every day is the interior of your car. This area is where you spend most of your time with the car. Keeping it clean can be hard work, especially if you have kids or pets. There are tips to help keep your car's interior bright and clean, without paying for a professional detail job.
Vacuuming
by Joe Seals on Thursday, September 9, 2010 at 2:03pm
Tips on Detailing Car Interiors
By Joe Seals
Detailing the outside of your car involves washing and waxing the surface. This makes your car shine and protects the surface. But what you see every day is the interior of your car. This area is where you spend most of your time with the car. Keeping it clean can be hard work, especially if you have kids or pets. There are tips to help keep your car's interior bright and clean, without paying for a professional detail job.
Vacuuming
- Vacuuming your car after removing all of the trash is a good place to begin cleaning the interior. A strong vacuum, such as a shop vac or a commercial vacuum found at a car wash, is the best way to go. Use the vacuum on the carpets, remove the floor mats and vacuum them, vacuum the seats, dash, doors and console area. This removes large amounts of loose dust and dirt. Remember to get down in between the seats, in the holes of the seat where the seat belts come out and underneath the seats.
A small brush-like extension on the end of the vacuum can help get into the air vents, between the seats and on the dash around the stereo system, temperature controls, gauges and the steering wheel.
- Carpet that isn't stained or very dirty can be cleaned with a vacuum only. Carpet with stains or heavy dirt can be cleaned with an everyday carpet cleaner. Spray the cleaner onto the stained areas and use a stiff brush to scrub it in. Upholstery or fabric cleaner can be used on the seats and headliner. The headliner should not be cleaned unless it has stains. Use gentle pressure and wipe, don't scrub. The headliner material is very thin and can become separated at the edge of the ceiling if tugged on.
- Leather seats and trim on your car should never be cleaned with any heavy cleaners or sealers. This can actually damage the leather and make it dry out, crack and become discolored. Armor All and other interior products can harm leather and vinyl trim and should not be used.
If the surface is dirty or full of dust, wipe it down with a damp cloth. To clean stains, use warm water and a small amount of car wash soap on a rag. Dry the interior pieces so that water doesn't get to any electrical equipment. Apply a thin coat of Liquid Glass Leather and Vinyl Treatment and Conditioner and allow it to stand for one minutes. Wipe it into the surface with a clean cloth to moisturize and protect the surface.
To help keep your dash from cracking and looking faded, always place a visor in the windshield when parking in the direct sunlight.
