**My version of Cleaning Nasty Upholstery**

[HotRod]

There have been a lot questions on how to clean carpet and upholstery in the past on this forum and others. But there are few write-ups and explanations of how to go about cleaning seats and carpet. The "new" fabric in vehicles nowadays stain up very easily and are so difficult to get them looking new again, so here is my attempt to hopefully help a few struggling detailers.

First, my background: I have detailed cars off and on for about 10 years, working for a dealership and a detail shop and I just opened my own mobile detail service full time about a year ago. I also worked 4 years in the Professional Carpet/upholstery cleaning industry and became I.I.C.R.C. certified in carpet cleaning before I left(Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification).


This upholstery/carpet cleaning job was very nasty, the vehicle is a Dodge Mega Cab work truck. I knew first off that it would never be perfect with the obvious abuse that it inflicted over its short life. The owner just wanted an improvement, and I told him there would be some permanent staining. For some reason these newer dodge seats give me more headaches than any other make.

There are four main factors in carpet/upholstery cleaning:

1. Temperature- Refers to the hot water in your extractor. Heated water removes more soiling, increases your chemicals reaction to the soiling and reduces your usage of chemicals.

2. Chemical- Your cleaning solution selection is important. I have had success with TLC, Megs all purpose, Folex and Sun Gold.

3. Agitation- Works the chemical into the fibers, lift matted fibers, and assist in removing soil.

4. Time- Letting the chemical soak in to the fabric, also known as Dwell time. Your cleaning solution needs time to work.

My system is used a lot throughout the industry, but it is not in any way the only way/or the best way to clean automotive fabric. However, it works for me, and any advice to improve this method is welcome.

Now here are some of my tools/chemicals of choice:
Shop Vac- to pre vaccuum before cleaning
Aztec Hot Rod Extractor
Griots 3 inch buffer with "carpet pads"- used for agitation of the chemical
Carpet brush- to spread the chemical in before using the griots
Carpet dryer with heater attachment- Drying the fabric is the key to prevent stains from soaking back up.
Brinkmman spotlight- to seek out stains not visible in certain lighting conditions.
Microfiber towels- used to wipe down fabric after cleaning reducing excess moisture the extractor cannot remove speeding up dry time.
Folex- Stain and spot removal
Meguiars all purpose cleaner- main carpet pre spray
Sun Gold- Spot removal

A few pics of the equipment used on this job:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2767/4319602453_c1b5bd3cf2.jpg
Griots 3 inch buffer with carpet pads, also brinkmann light
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4013/4319606705_2d8e966735.jpg
Carpet dryer with heater attachment
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4035/4320344116_88c70bb746.jpg
Sprayer used for Megs all purpose cleaner

Now here are the before pics:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2758/4320332608_626fcf2f70.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4021/4319592657_8b0c7a47e7.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4319573319_67f49a74fc.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2685/4319573311_b181c9d81e.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2497/4319573303_9092874d1e.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2723/4319573295_823c0bc857.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4319573287_a1dc3166d7.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2692/4319573281_bfc22707f5.jpg

And here are a few process pics:
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/4319614245_3094d64d1c.jpg
I started on the middle front seat. I pre sprayed the seat with megs all purpose, spread it with the carpet brush, then let it dwell for a few minutes. Then I grabbed my 3 inch griots buffer with the yellow carpet brush and began agitating the seat. I used speeds 4-5 on the machine, it seems to bog down with any lesser speeds. NOTE: TAKE CAUTION USING ANY HIGH SPEED MACHINE ON FABRIC. ONE SLIP AND YOU MIGHT DAMAGE SOMETHING. USE COMMON SENSE.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2777/4320353324_879b039623.jpg
After the agitation I fired up the Aztec Hot Rod and began extracting with hot water. It usually takes 15 minutes for the Aztec to heat up, so I had it turned on prior to the previous steps. Also adding a defoamer into the waste tank is a good idea with any extraction job, and I add a rinsing solution in the rinse tank that helps with odors, and stains reappearing.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2736/4319624757_54c070ca19.jpg
After rinsing with the extractor, I wiped the middle seat down with clean/dry microfiber rags, then turned on the heated fan to dry. Remember: Dry cleaned areas as quickly as possible to prevent stains from coming back. Then I immediately moved on to the next seat as well as the carpet. This method was used to clean all carpet and seats in this truck.

After this process was completely dried, I only had a few light stains that would not come out, or they just came back from wicking of the padding. So I got out the Folex and it took care of most stains, and I also used Sun Gold to spot clean problem areas. Its not a perfect end result, but much better than before.

Now, here are the after pictures:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2760/4319677833_26bc1affd1.jpg
Some of these pictures were taken before I did any spot cleaning, and I forgot to get any pictures after the spot cleaning was finished.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2690/4320400302_efe85ba6cc.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4059/4319660331_0ae1d98fe4.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/4319654911_39c4005ac4.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4011/4319648447_df763d7813.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4069/4320376456_59dae69799.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2699/4320370516_6059e265a8.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4062/4320364004_5f2631c96c.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4004/4320405130_d81463c7de.jpg

[evilwrx]

Great looking job and thanks for the write up.

[A4 1.8tqm]

Wow nice work :applause:

[Craig]

I think you did a great job. Looks new when compared to what you started with. Have you tried cleaning dirty seat belt? I know some say not to, but you know how us geeks are. If it's dirty, we have to clean it.

[HotRod]

I think you did a great job. Looks new when compared to what you started with. Have you tried cleaning dirty seat belt? I know some say not to, but you know how us geeks are. If it's dirty, we have to clean it.
I usually dont mess with the seat belt unless they can be wiped down with a rag and cleaner, I have been to told to power wash them but I wonder if that would weaken the strength of the fabric. These seat belts, were not cleaning up for me at all, and I have never tried to power wash seat belts before either.

[Jenn1270]

How did those seats get so nasty?

[HotRod]

How did those seats get so nasty?
It was a work truck, that was never cleaned when they spilled stuff, they also took it hunting and the dogs rode inside the truck. Many people are sloppy and don't get stuff cleaned until it is too late. In my town, I get alot of these trashed vehicles. And from what I have been told, I am the only detailer that can get them this clean in the area.

[O.C.Detailing]

I use a Mytee Hot Water Extractor which is actually the same thing as an Aztec. Which "defoaming" agent do you use in the waste tank? I get really tired of my extractor stopping suction due to foam. PLEASE HELP!! :D

Oh, and looks awesome man. Great job.

[HotRod]

I use a Mytee Hot Water Extractor which is actually the same thing as an Aztec. Which "defoaming" agent do you use in the waste tank? I get really tired of my extractor stopping suction due to foam. PLEASE HELP!! :D

Oh, and looks awesome man. Great job.

Thanks,
I actually use a defoamer called Bubble Buster made by a company called Carroll. I found it at my local janitorial supplies store. I also have tried Service Master Clean brand of defoamer with success as well.

[2011wahoo]

AG needs to carry those Griots yellow scrubbing pads;)

[bill walsh]

wow thats a great write up and thanks for showing us your work

[Jenn1270]

It was a work truck, that was never cleaned when they spilled stuff, they also took it hunting and the dogs rode inside the truck. Many people are sloppy and don't get stuff cleaned until it is too late. In my town, I get alot of these trashed vehicles. And from what I have been told, I am the only detailer that can get them this clean in the area.

Interesting. My house is kinda gross, but the leather in my car is immaculate. Go figure.

[HotRod]

AG needs to carry those Griots yellow scrubbing pads;)
Yeah they need to start carrying them, they are very handy. It says they can be used for tire scrubbing too. I bought mine at the Griots website, and as far as I know thats the only place you can get them.

[SRHTX]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2767/4319602453_c1b5bd3cf2.jpg


http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4018/4319614245_3094d64d1c.jpg


Dang it. I always forget I can use my PC to clean the seats. I think I need to find a way to remember to do that. darn brain damage. Short term memory really sucks.

Nice job on the interior detail AND the information you have provided.

[ronniejay]

It was a work truck, that was never cleaned when they spilled stuff, they also took it hunting and the dogs rode inside the truck. Many people are sloppy and don't get stuff cleaned until it is too late. In my town, I get alot of these trashed vehicles. And from what I have been told, I am the only detailer that can get them this clean in the area.


Where are you?