Auto Upholstery Bay Area - Cleaning Your Cars Engine - Cooks Upholstery and Classic Restoration

Most people only consider cleaning and maintaining the exterior or interior appeal of their car when it comes to keeping it cleaned.

Cleaning the engine is another important factor when it comes to cleaning your car. Cleaning your engine routinely will allow you to notice any leaks or other damage that could lead to costly car repairs, if not repaired quickly. There are many benefits to having a clean engine and is crucial in the car care process.

It’s not a fun job to clean off the ‘black oily and dusty grime’ from the engine. But a clean engine will help you to notice fluid leaks at a glance, once the dirt and oil and other mud and road trash that have accumulated on your engine and under carriage. Engine clean ups are messy jobs, no doubt, but it should be done with care. The engine should be cold before you begin cleaning it. The best time for cleaning your car engine would typically be in the morning, after your car has sat all night and is properly cooled. You will also want to put some sort of cover over any filters, the alternator and the air intake. Also cover any electrical parts securely. (Check your owners’ manual to locate these parts.) Once everything is securely covered and protected, begin by degreasing the outside of the engine first. Clean and degrease all fluid containers and hoses, very well. The degreaser will do a lot to remove grime and scum from your cars engine, but it will take some scrubbing from you too. After you have cleaned these areas, remove the degreaser by spraying a slow flow of water on it, using extra caution to avoid those parts that are covered. After rinsing away the degreaser, use rags to clean other areas of the engine and use the small scrub brush to get into tight areas to clean well. You can use the degreaser but a cheaper and similar effective method is using Dawn ™ dish soap on your rags. Dawn™ is a great and inexpensive degreaser in itself. Using a soapy rag and the soft scrub brush wash all other parts, except the covered areas. Use a light spray of water to rinse the soap and grime away.

Once the engine has been cleaned, you should dry it right away to avoid water spots. Use the towels or a blower to get water dried from hard to reach areas and tight spaces. After cleaning your engine, start your car and listen for any abnormal sounds. If your car starts up and runs fine then you have done an accurate job of cleaning the engine. If you notice anything different about the way your car runs, the water may have caused damage to an essential engine part and you should take it to be checked at a local car repair shop.

Items that will be required for appropriate engine cleaning as a process in your routine car care will include:

~ A common and good brand of degreaser (Detailer’s Pro Series Engine Degreaser™ is a highly recommended degreaser brand.)
~ Many rags and towels (paper or cloth)
~small scrub brush that can reach in tight and smaller areas, preferably a flexible brush.
~plastic gloves

~ A few clean towels for drying, preferably  microfiber towels

 

source: http://www.carcarecarrepair.com/pages_40/cleaning_your_cars_engine

 

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Auto Upholstery Bay Area - Monthly Interior Car Care - Cooks Upholstery and Classic Restoration Redwood City

Your cars’ interior can suffer from the continuous comings and goings. Because this is the part of the car that you and your passengers see and feel the most, the interior should be awarded the most detailed car care possible. There are so many places in your interior that require special care. Although it is not crucial to completely clean the interior of your car every time you wash it, you should, however, give it a thorough wipe down and vacuum at least monthly and a complete and meticulous ‘detailing’ every three months, at the very least.

Every month, as part of your car care routine, after washing the exterior, direct your attention next to the interior. Wipe down the dash board, the seats, the console and the steering wheel. Then give a quick vacuum to the carpet and upholstery, if you have fabric upholstery. Clean the inside of all windows and the rearview mirror. Pick up any trash from the floor and drinking cups, etc. that may have been left in the car.

By now your car should at least look a little tidier. But that’s only the monthly car care ‘quick clean up’. Every two to three months you should perform a very meticulous car interior detailing. This will require several useful items to and will give your car that ‘fresh off the lot’ appearance.  Tools you will require are:

~A bucket of warm water
~A vacuum cleaner with crevice and dust brush  attachments
~leather or vinyl cleaner and protectant
~an old toothbrush
~ old newspaper
~glass cleaner
~ old rags or microfiber towels
~stain remover or carpet shampoo
~ 2-3 clean soft sponges

You should use only carpet cleaner and leather or vinyl cleaners that are designed for automotive cleaning. These can be purchased at a local car repair and parts shop. Avoid using household cleaners as they can damage your paint or fade your carpet and leather. Remember while performing your monthly car cleaning, check for anything that is need of car repairs, as you clean. Visual inspect for any signs of wear or damage. A monthly routine allows for you to keep your car cleaned and maintained well. For further information of a professional car detailing from home, please see our articles “Interior car detailing.”

source: http://www.carcarecarrepair.com/pages_70/monthly_interior_car_care

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Auto Upholstery Bay Area - Cleaning Door Jambs, Floor Mats and Mirrors - Cooks Upholstery and Classic Restoration Redwood City

Some of the places on your car that collect the most dirt and grime are often the most avoided areas when detailing your car. None-the-less, they are imperative to your monthly car care routine and should be given extra car during the car detailing process.

Door panels/door jams

After you’ve washed and waxed your cars’ exterior, you should come to the door jambs.. Door jambs have several purposes. They contain the parts that are necessary to open and shut the car doors and windows. The door jambs also protect the interior of the car and the passengers from rain, sun, snow, and wind. Due to this protection, dirt, oil and other grime will collect in the door jambs and continue to build up over time, which can cause serious damage to the functioning parts of your window and door apparatuses. Along with cleaning the door jambs you should also give the same treatment to the trunk jambs and the gas door. During your monthly car care routine you will only need to wipe the door jambs down or rinse them, to remove dust and other grime. But during your professional car detailing routine you will need to do much more than just wipe them. Wash them thoroughly with a degreasing soap specifically designed for automotive cleaning. This can be purchased, along with them other car cleaning items, at a local car repair and parts center.  The cleaning process is relatively simple. Use an old toothbrush to clean in tight areas. Once cleaned you should dry the areas using a soft cloth or microfiber towel, then apply a small amount of wax to the areas, avoiding the rubber seal and other parts.  And now your door jambs will look shiny and new, like the exterior paint does.

Door Panels

For door panels you can simply vacuum and shampoo the fabric covered panels as you do your cars’ upholstery. Use an old toothbrush with a little water and soap to clean around the window cranks (or buttons) and the door handles. For leather and vinyl door panels wash with the same cleaner and protectant you use on the interior seats.

Floor Mats

Floor mats are often overlooked during the car detailing process, mostly car owners simply shake off any dirt and return them to the car. However, they are very easy to clean. Plastic and rubber floor mats can simply be hosed off and washed with soap and water and a scrub brush then left to dry in the sunshine. For floor mats covered with fabric or carpet, simply shake any excess dirt out and vacuum them well. Then shampoo them with the carpet shampoo you have purchased at the car repair and parts shop to clean your interior carpet with. Use spot and stain removers on heavy spots. Use a good cloth for scrubbing the heavily soiled areas, with a light amount of warm water. Now your car floor mats look as clean as your interior carpet and will not be an eye-sore to an otherwise meticulously cleaned car.

Mirrors

Cleaning the mirrors of your car requires little effort and is extraordinarily simple. Rather than using household glass cleaners, you can simply use two towels, a little warm water or white vinegar. On one of the towels dampen it lightly with the warm water or vinegar. Then just wipe the mirrors well to remove dust and spots. Using the dry towel, wipe the mirrors again until they are completely dry and spot free.

 

source: http://www.carcarecarrepair.com/pages_69/interior_car_detailing__part_three%3A__cleaning_door_jambs%2C_floor_mats_and_mirrors

 

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Auto Upholstery Bay Area - How Steam Does a Better Job When Cleaning Your Car’s Interior - Cooks Upholstery and Classic Restoraion

How Steam Does a Better Job When Cleaning Your Car’s Interior

Many auto detailers know the incredible power of steam cleaners for the automotive industry. Now it’s time for everyone to know! Let’s face it, the best part of a new car is the smell. But driving around for a few years, sort of living in your car, you lose that great feature.

Driving around in a filthy car is definitely not pleasant. Despite your best efforts to keep the inside of your car clean, dirt, grime and debris accumulate in uncared for places and disturbs your health. Therefore, your car’s interior should be cleaned thoroughly at regular intervals. And what better way to do it than steam cleaning!

It is always better to stay up to date and resort to modernity regarding the detailing practices. No doubt, steam does a better job when cleaning the car’s interior. Let take a look at some other advantages steam has over the traditional car wash method.

1. Steamer tools used in the cleaning of your vehicle gets into areas where it is difficult for water to reach and makes a thorough wash. Steam can clean between seats, consoles, dashes, vents, doorjambs and more without leaving water and salt marks on the surfaces.
2. Steam does not leave the vehicles interior soaking wet. Wet interior is the major disadvantage when water is used for its detailing. A significant reason for mold, mildew and odors within an interior of a vehicle is the wet and damp areas. Steam dries them all within seconds.
3. Steam detailing cleans the hard surfaces of your vehicles interior without any difficulty. It cleans, dries and sanitizes its upholstery and vinyl in quick time.
4. A wet interior after water detailing gives way to unhealthy bacteria and viruses. Steam kills germs and sanitizes the entire interior without any use of harsh chemicals.
5. A steamer with a vacuum unit and injection or extraction system allows the detailer to vacuum out hard dirt accumulated inside the corners and crevices of the interior. It is difficult for the water to reach up to the inaccessible area which makes cleaning of the car imperfect.
Steam melts through sticky, sugary sodas and neatly removes the last particle of crud from even the deepest cup holder. The ash trays and coin caddies come clean as new, too. Even if you do live in your car, it doesn’t have to look like it. Steaming your vehicle is a better alternative then conventional washing which wastes our precious natural resource since the water it consumes for cleaning is miniscule. Many professional detailing services are resorting to such an effective car wash system these days. Schedule your appointment today to have your vehicle sparkling clean without the guilt of damaging the environment.
source; http://www.detailxperts.net/blog/2011/10/18/how-steam-does-a-better-job-when-cleaning-your-cars-interior/
by detailxperts
 

Auto Upholstery Bay Area - Car Interior Cleaning: Basic Detailing Procedures - Cooks Upholstery and Classic Restoration

We are a driving nation. Cars transport our law officers, our loved ones, public officials and a good majority of our citizens. They make all of our deadlines happen, take our children to school and us to work. With as much time as we all spend inside our vehicles, it only makes sense to make the interior as clean and comfortable as possible. Regular basic detailing of our car’s interior is the best way to keep it looking good and can prevent stains and problems from becoming permanent.

All examples set aside, your cars interior is your kingdom. In our fast paced world, you may easily spend a dozen hours a week or more in your vehicle. It is up to you to make this time enjoyable. Investing hundreds of dollars into a loud stereo or multimedia DVD player isn’t going to impress everyone: maintaining a beautiful interior presence will.

A few car detailing tips can help you maintain a good looking car. Getting a professional to detail a car can be pricey. Doing it yourself can be a money saver. In addition, it can be very gratifying once you step away from the car to take in all of your hard work.

Basic Interior Detailing Tips:

The first order of business is getting all of the crud out of the interior – loose gas-card receipts, gum wrappers, toys and the handful of parking tickets that have been hiding under the seat – anything that is too large to vacuum up or you want to save. With all of the large debris removed, take some time to evaluate the condition of your interior. Is it primarily dusty with a stain or two in the carpet, or are food stains, pet odors and ground-in dirt more prevalent? Assess the damage and let’s start cleaning.

1. Vacuuming: A good vacuum is always needed after some neglect because of the number of things that can be tracked into a car. There’s no special science to car vacuuming. You need a good vacuum and a few attachments. The two most important attachments are the crevice attachment and the dust brush attachment. Make sure your crevice attachment is plastic, not metal. A metal attachment or a plastic attachment that’s in poor condition may scratch or otherwise damage leather or vinyl upholstery.
   
   Start your vacuuming job by pulling out the floor mats. Shake out the mats to remove any loose dirt. Push the front seats all the way forward. Use the crevice tool to vacuum the cracks of the seats, and between the seats and carpeted areas. Vacuum the rear carpet. Use the crevice tool to vacuum around the seat tracks and under the front seats. Push the front seats all the way back to work on the front upholstery. Use the round dust brush attachment to vacuum the console, vents and door panels.
2. Wipe Down Vinyl: We look at the dashboard and console more than any other area of our car’s interior. It makes sense, therefore, that we should give it some special attention. In order to keep your dash from cracking and fading, regular treatment is necessary. Caring for the dash and console is really pretty easy. Simply wipe them down with a damp towel every time you wash your car, and treat them with the right upholstery protectant once a month.
3. The easiest way to treat the dash and console is to use a foam applicator pad. Spray your vinyl protectant on the applicator, not on the dash or console, and wipe it in thoroughly. Allow the vinyl protectant to soak in for 3 to 5 minutes, and then buff the dash and console dry with a microfiber detailing towel.
4. Door Panels & Jambs: It’s important to thoroughly clean around door handles, pulls and window cranks, using a toothbrush and soapy wash water. Be sure to clean and dry the speaker grilles and the wells on armrests, too. If the door panels have storage pockets, use your sponge or wash mitt to clean in these areas, as they tend to collect a lot of dirt and crud. Next, use your sponge or wash mitt and soapy water to clean all the way around the door frame and the door sill. When you’re finished, dry the door completely with a clean towel.
5. Windows: Clean the windows last, because it will have grime and dirt from the other steps. You’ll get the best look if you buff glass with a microfiber cloth, which does a great job of getting rid of cleaner residue. That residue, as well as oils from your skin, causes streaks and spots on the inside of windows. Use glass cleaner to wash the inside of windows. Spray the cleaner directly on the cloth to avoid streaking and getting the cleaner on the upholstery. The best technique for cleaning your rear window is to use the back side of your hand to guide your towel down into the corners.

Most of us spend 8 to 15 hours a week inside our cars, so it makes sense that we should keep them neat and tidy. Yet finding the time to detail the inside of the car is difficult with our busy schedules. If you take just five minutes each time you wash your car to remove the trash, shake out the mats, and wipe down the dash, console and seats, you can stay on top of this detailing chore. Then when it comes time for a full interior detail, the task will not seem quite so daunting.

source: http://www.detailxperts.net/blog/2012/11/19/car-interior-cleaning-basic-detailing-procedures/

by detailxperts

 

 

Auto Upholstery Bay Area - How Often Should You Clean Your Leather Car Seat Cover? - Cooks Upholstery and Classic Restoration

How Often Should You Clean Your Leather Car Seat Cover?

Most of the car manufacturer’s, especially those of high-end cars, install leather car seats which definitely offer the vehicle a sophisticated appearance. Leather is a natural material that is porous, and it helps to absorb dirt, odor and grime, however, it requires careful maintenance for a healthy finish. Two important factors that can cause damage to your car seats are sunlight and heat and these can easily cause the seats to get damaged and can cause the leather to fray or crack. The frequency of cleaning your leather car seats mostly depend on your frequency of driving the car and how long it sits in sunlight. Depending on these aspects, you can choose to clean your car seat once in three months, which will help you to retain the healthy color and appearance of leather. Leather needs lot of care and attention and it can easily be damaged if it is not taken care of properly. If you are unable to clean your leather car seats properly due to your hectic schedule, then you can seek the services of professional detailers for this purpose.

Cleaning Leather Car Seats

1. In order to clean your leather car seats, you must start by vacuuming the interior of the car completely. Make use of any attachments to the vacuum cleaner which will help you to remove the dirt and dust from the crevices of the car seat.
2. Next, take a white cloth or sponge and by dipping it in water, wipe away the grime, dirt and residue that is present on the seats. After doing this, immediately, dry the seats off by using a dry towel.
3. When you are using the leather cleaner, you must first check it on a concealed area inside the car. Use a fresh cloth or sponge and work the cleaner into the leather car seats so as to form foam. Make sure that you keep the foam for at least ten minutes before you wipe it away with a dry towel.
4. Leave the test area for at least 24 hours and check for any discolorations. If the color of the leather seems to be just the same, then you can start using the leather cleaner on rest of the car seat.
5. Repeat step 3 on a larger area of the car seat. Make sure that you make the foam sit for at least ten minutes and later on you can wipe it away using a dry towel.
6. Clean all the leather surfaces using leather seats and also use it on the leather trim which might be present inside the car interior or on the door. You can also repeat the process for tough stains.
7. Make use of a leather moisturizer and work it on the leather with the help of dry sponge or towel. You can also spray the leather sunscreen onto the leather seats which will indeed help you to create an extra cover of protection against dirt and drying from sunlight.
Leather car seats needs to be given great attention as without the extra care and maintenance, their majestic look will diminish over the period of time. For professional care for your leather car seats, visit Cooks Upholstery
source: http://www.detailxperts.net/blog/2012/04/17/how-often-should-you-clean-your-leather-car-seat-cover/
by rmenon on april 17th, 2012
 
 
 

Auto Upholstery Redwood City - My Car Smells: 7 Tips for Getting Rid of Bad Auto Odors - Cooks Upholstery and Classic Restoration

You may get into your car one day and think, my car smells. Once you notice a smell the next thought is how to I get rid of the smell. There are many different things that can cause nasty smells. You may notice your car smells of gas, the car smells of rotten eggs, or of something else. If the smells are from the engine then you will need to fix what is causing that smell. If you spilled something in the interior then there are special cleaning tips that can help.

1. Vacuum. Most odors tend to become trapped in the fabric in the interior. Many times vacuuming can eliminate these odors. Use the special upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner. You want to get every little corner because the smells can be hiding in the smallest places. If you do not think vacuuming is enough then many individuals find that steam cleaning will do the trick.
2. Smoke. Cigarette smoke can make a car smell particularly unpleasant. Smoke can get everywhere including the duct system for the heater and air conditioner. You want to open the hood and spray an air deodorizer through the intake valve to get all the smoke out of the system. Smoke is very invasive and you need to do more than just clean the upholstery.
3. Baking soda. Baking soda always works well to remove odors. If you spilled something on the carpet and a smell lingers, then sprinkle baking soda on it. Rub the baking soda in and leave it for a few hours. The baking soda will absorb any free smells. After a few hours, vacuum up the baking soda.
4. Charcoal. Charcoal is one of the best substances to absorb smells. You will find that charcoal is used in many air and water filters. Grab a chunk of charcoal, the ones you use to grill will work fine, leave the charcoal in the car for a few days, and you will soon find the smells have gone away because they are absorbed into the charcoal.
5. Natural air freshener. Choose a favorite scent and see about masking the bad odors. You can put some vanilla on cotton balls and leave them in the car. If you enjoy the smell of coffee then keep a container of ground coffee in the car. Soon the car will smell like coffee rather than any nasty smells. Many people will also use mint extract or citrus oils. It depends on your preference.
6. Serious smells. There are several smells that can be dangerous. If you notice a smell of gas inside the car then you probably have a leak. This is a hazard as the gas can ignite and cause a fire. You want to find this leak immediately and get it fixed.
7. Hiring professionals: If you absolutely cannot get rid of the smell then see about taking your car to a cleaning professional. This is a more expensive option but they will completely eliminate the smells. Certain smells, such as hitting a skunk, may never come out.

source: http://www.carsdirect.com/car-maintenance/my-car-smells-7-tips-for-getting-rid-of-bad-auto-odors

 

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Auto Upholstery Bay Area - Weird Car Air Conditioner Smell: What It Means - Cooks Upholstery and Classic Restoration

When you turn on the air conditioner in your car, do you often have a distinct car air conditioner smell that is weird or repugnant? If this is the case, then there is definitely wrong with your car air conditioner.

There are some ways to detect and find certain smells that are coming from your air conditioner. Most of the time, these smells are a result of some damage in your car air conditioner. There are also several reasons why your car air conditioner emits a certain smell.

Mold and Bacteria

Probably one of the reasons why there is a distinct smell in your air conditioner when you turn it on is the growth of mold in your air vents. Smells of mildew in your car may be caused by the growth of bacteria.

As the car becomes older, bacteria, mold, fungi, and micro-organisms can start to grow. The growth of these bacteria is often behind the dash panel on the evaporator. This causes an unpleasant odor coming out the air conditioner unit. Also, if the air conditioner is not used as often then this can also cause the growth of bacteria.

Turning on your air conditioner to maximum often may also cause bacteria growth due to the excess water that is dripping in your unit.

To fix this problem, locate the drain tube in your A/C unit. Make sure that is working properly. Use an anti-bacterial treatment that will destroy bacteria that is growing behind your dash panel. Inject the treatment solution into the air conditioner case. It is advisable to turn off the car air conditioner for awhile and let the fan run instead for a few minutes. This will help evaporate the water on the coils of your unit.

Gas Leak

If you smell gas every time you turn on your car air conditioner, then your car may have a gas leak. When you turn on your A/C unit, the gas smell is being sucked into the fresh air that the air conditioner is taking.

To solve this problem, you need to repair the leak. There are several areas where you can check for a gas leak. Inspect the fuel pressure regulator of your engine to see if the leak is in this area. You can also check the fuel injector "O" rings in the engine compartment for any leaks. It is also advisable to check your exhaust pipes and muffler for any holes that can cause gas leaks.

Dirty Air Filters

Your air filters may also be causing a weird car air conditioner smell. If not cleaned properly, the air filter can collect dirt, stagnant water, dust mites, and other harmful pollutants. This can result in a bad smell every time you turn on your air conditioner. You can easily fix this problem by just replacing the old filter with a new one and regularly cleaning the air filter of your air conditioner unit.

Antifreeze

If the cooling system in your car smells sweet, then you should have your unit checked immediately. The sweet smell is often the cause of toxic liquid ethylene glycol or antifreeze. This smell is the result of a leak in the cooling system. The leak can come from the heater core, pipe or hose, coolant housing unit, or the radiator.

source: http://www.carsdirect.com/car-maintenance/weird-car-air-conditioner-smell-what-it-means-and-how-to-fix-it

Auto Upholstery Bay Area - How to Get Rid of a Car Mildew Smell - Cooks Upholstery and Classic Restoration

Car mildew smell can be quite disturbing and annoying. This stinky smell cannot be solved by just spraying an air freshener and no matter how many air fresheners you use, you will not be able to get rid of this smell. However, you can permanently remove the mildew smell by following these simple steps.

 

Tools and Materials:

• Hair dryer or vacuum cleaner (wet vacuuming capable)
• Odor absorber, enzyme cleaner, or anti-mildew solution
• Rag or absorbent cloth
• Scrub pad
• Baking soda

Step 1. Locate the Source

A mildew smell is often caused by moisture or humidity that has been built up in your car. To get rid of this smell, you first need to locate the source. Often times, mold growth or mildew is caused by moisture that has accumulated in your car.

There are several areas you can check where mold can grow. You can check the storage space where your spare tire is located. This area is often times neglected so make sure you check this first. If you find no leaks or mildew then proceed to the next possible area.

Check the floor of your car. Remove the mats or carpeting to make sure that there are no leaks as well. You can also look at the trunk for any leaks due to condensation. Your evaporator drain tube may also be clogged that can cause leakage.

Mildew smell from the air conditioner is also possible. The filter of your vehicle’s air conditioning unit can also be the cause. Check if the floor mat near the air conditioner is damp.

Step 2. Remove Any Accessories or Covering

Once you have located the source, you need to remove any car accessories in this area so you can thoroughly clean and dry it.

If the source is on the floor or trunk of your car, remove the mats, upholstery, or carpets of your vehicle. If the smell is coming from the air conditioner unit, remove the filter by opening the front cover of the air conditioning unit.

Step 3. Wipe the Dry Area

After you have removed all parts that are not bolted to the car, try to wipe off as much liquid or moisture as you can using an absorbent cloth or rag. Make sure that you remove as much of the moisture or liquid as you can.

Step 4. Scrub Off the Mildew

When you are sure that you have removed the moisture, you may need to scrub off the mildew or mold that has grown on the area. Use a nylon scrub pad for this. Be careful not to scratch too much of the surface. Only clean the area enough to remove any mold growth.

Step 5. Dry the Affected Area

Dry the affected area once you have cleaned it thoroughly. You can use a hair dryer for smaller areas or a vacuum capable of doing wet vacuuming for larger areas. This is a step to prevent mold from growing back.

If the problem is emitting from your air conditioner unit, you can use a cotton swab to dry the affected area and then turn on the heater until you can no longer detect moisture.

Step 6. Apply Anti-Mildew Solution

After drying the affected area, apply an anti-mildew solution, odor absorber, or enzyme cleaner. There are several products available on the market today so you can choose one of these. This will prevent any moisture leading to car smells.

Step 7. Dry Mats, Carpets, Upholstery, etc.

Completely dry any matting of the affected area. Hang them outdoors under the sun for a few hours or until the smell is completely gone. Put some baking soda on the upholstery and let it rest for 24 hours.

source: http://www.carsdirect.com/car-maintenance/how-to-get-rid-of-a-car-mildew-smell

 

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Auto Upholstery Bay Area - Cleaning the upholstery - Cooks Upholstery and Classic Restoration Redwood City

After you have meticulously cleaned your cars’ headliner and dashboard, now you can move on to the next stage of interior detailing; the cars’ upholstery. Once again, you should remember that the upholstery of your car is delicate and when cleaning the upholstery in your car, care will be needed to avoid any possibility of unnecessary damage.

There are generally four types of upholstery used in cars; leather, vinyl, plastic or fabric. Each will require cleaning products and a thorough cleaning. For leather upholstery cleaning, extra car care will be required as damage to leather can occur quickly and easily. All types of upholstery cleaners and protectants can be purchased at a local car repair and parts shop or at a general store such as Walmart™.

Cleaning Leather Upholstery
When cleaning leather upholstery you should clean in sections rather than all at once. Leather upholstery requires special conditioning cleaners to help prevent cracking and fading.  You can buy special leather upholstery cleaning products at a car repair and parts shop. It is not recommended to use any other leather cleaner and protectant on your upholstery. When appropriately cleaned and protected, leather upholstery will have a matte finish rather than a shiny or ‘wet’ look. Keep in mind that some cars have leather wrapped steering wheels and center consoles between the seats. These should also be cleaned with the conditioning cleaner, as well.

Cleaning Fabric Upholstery

Fabric upholstery needs much more care than any other type of upholstery and takes quite a bit more effort to clean properly. To clean, first, vacuum the cracks and crevices of the seats, or if necessary, use a toothbrush to get into tighter crevices to remove and loosen crumb and other debris. Next, you should spray a spot or stain remover on harder to remove stains and let   it set into the stain for several minutes. Use warm water (as warm water is more effective at combating stains) and a sponge to begin washing the upholstery according the instructions on the label of the cleaning product, in the case of fabric upholstery soap and water works just as fine as commercial upholstery cleaning products. Once it is cleaned well and washed the best that you can do, you can begin to dry the upholstery. Use towels to absorb as much of the dampness as you can. If possible or available, use a vacuum cleaner designed for both wet or dry surfaces and vacuum the upholstery until it is dry. Open all of the doors or windows to allow the upholstery to air dry thoroughly.

Interior car care is not difficult, but it is time-consuming. But by the end of the tedious process you will be rewarded with a fresh smelling car that shines like it is fresh off of the car lot.

source: http://www.carcarecarrepair.com/pages_74/interior_car_detailing_part_two%3A__cleaning_the_upholstery


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Auto Upholstery Bay Area - Cleaning Door Jambs, Floor Mats and Mirrors - Cooks Upholstery and Classic Restoration Redwood City

Some of the places on your car that collect the most dirt and grime are often the most avoided areas when detailing your car. None-the-less, they are imperative to your monthly car care routine and should be given extra car during the car detailing process.

Door panels/door jams

After you’ve washed and waxed your cars’ exterior, you should come to the door jambs.. Door jambs have several purposes. They contain the parts that are necessary to open and shut the car doors and windows. The door jambs also protect the interior of the car and the passengers from rain, sun, snow, and wind. Due to this protection, dirt, oil and other grime will collect in the door jambs and continue to build up over time, which can cause serious damage to the functioning parts of your window and door apparatuses. Along with cleaning the door jambs you should also give the same treatment to the trunk jambs and the gas door. During your monthly car care routine you will only need to wipe the door jambs down or rinse them, to remove dust and other grime. But during your professional car detailing routine you will need to do much more than just wipe them. Wash them thoroughly with a degreasing soap specifically designed for automotive cleaning. This can be purchased, along with them other car cleaning items, at a local car repair and parts center.  The cleaning process is relatively simple. Use an old toothbrush to clean in tight areas. Once cleaned you should dry the areas using a soft cloth or microfiber towel, then apply a small amount of wax to the areas, avoiding the rubber seal and other parts.  And now your door jambs will look shiny and new, like the exterior paint does.

Door Panels

For door panels you can simply vacuum and shampoo the fabric covered panels as you do your cars’ upholstery. Use an old toothbrush with a little water and soap to clean around the window cranks (or buttons) and the door handles. For leather and vinyl door panels wash with the same cleaner and protectant you use on the interior seats.

Floor Mats

Floor mats are often overlooked during the car detailing process, mostly car owners simply shake off any dirt and return them to the car. However, they are very easy to clean. Plastic and rubber floor mats can simply be hosed off and washed with soap and water and a scrub brush then left to dry in the sunshine. For floor mats covered with fabric or carpet, simply shake any excess dirt out and vacuum them well. Then shampoo them with the carpet shampoo you have purchased at the car repair and parts shop to clean your interior carpet with. Use spot and stain removers on heavy spots. Use a good cloth for scrubbing the heavily soiled areas, with a light amount of warm water. Now your car floor mats look as clean as your interior carpet and will not be an eye-sore to an otherwise meticulously cleaned car.

Mirrors

Cleaning the mirrors of your car requires little effort and is extraordinarily simple. Rather than using household glass cleaners, you can simply use two towels, a little warm water or white vinegar. On one of the towels dampen it lightly with the warm water or vinegar. Then just wipe the mirrors well to remove dust and spots. Using the dry towel, wipe the mirrors again until they are completely dry and spot free.

source: http://www.carcarecarrepair.com/pages_69/interior_car_detailing__part_three%3A__cleaning_door_jambs%2C_floor_mats_and_mirrors

 

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Auto Upholstery Bay Area - Cleaning the Headliner and Dashboard - Cooks Upholstery and Classic Restoration Redwood City

For the meticulous and perfect car interior detailing, several hours of car care are needed, but well worth the hard work. Begin with removing everything from the inside of the car. For floor mats, remove them, shake them out very well and lay them side by side in a good location that you can wash them at.

Now for detailing the cars’ interior, start from the top and work your way down. If you have a fabric headliner use your vacuum brush attachment, gently vacuum this clean. If there are any spots or stains, you can purchase appropriate spray stain remover from a car repair and parts shop or any general store. Spray the stain remover on the spots or stains and with a soft sponge; gently rub the spots in a circular motion until they are removed. You may also choose to completely wash the headliner using a small amount of laundry soap on a damp sponge. Squeeze the sponge in the warm water until it becomes sudsy. Remember to use a very small amount of soap. Then you can wash the headliner, carefully. This takes very little effort as the fabric of headliners is often very thin. Remember, to avoid damage to the headliner of your car, care will be needed, so be as gentle as possible. Once you have washed the headliner, using another soft sponge with warm water, go over the headliner once more to rinse the soap as much as possible. For drying, you can towel dry and soak up the majority of the water that was left behind, then open all of your car doors and allow the headliner to simply air dry. It is so important to look after your vehicles interior as nearly all car price guide systems will lower the overall value of your vehicle if the interior is in a bad shape.

Once the headliner is as clean and dry as you can make it, while it is air drying you can move to the dashboard and begin cleaning there. The dashboard in your car is the part of your car that is exposed to sunlight and damage more than any other interior part. So you will need a cleaner that also has a protectant. The right kind of cleaner and protectant can be purchased from a local car repair and parts shop, for a reasonable price. Most dashboards are either plastic or vinyl which leaves them more susceptible to cracks, fading and other damage from the sunshine.  Simply by using a damp cloth, wipe the dust away. After the dashboard is dust free and cleaned and dried, use a vinyl protectant to treat it and protect it from the damaging sun rays. After you have cleaned and protected the dashboard, come to the front of the dashboard (the ‘cockpit’) and with the same damp cloth, wipe away any dust or cigarette ashes, etc. Here there are many cracks and hard to reach areas, so use an old toothbrush to get into those tight areas. Use a small amount of glass cleaner on the speedometer casing so that you can see clearly through to it. Do the same for the other clear casings. Now use the same vinyl protectant on the front part of the dash. Be sure to clean the vents and the ashtray in the same manner. Use cotton swabs to clean in the vents to clean them thoroughly. Empty the ashtray and wipe it clean with warm water and a small amount of soap.  After you have cleaned the vents and ashtrays, use the same vinyl protectant to keep them looking sharp. While cleaning the dash, don’t forget to also protect the turn signal, and any other buttons on the dash. Some may require using a toothbrush to clean the cracks and crevices around them. This is a critical part of your interior car care, but it is only the beginning.

source: http://www.carcarecarrepair.com/pages_57/_interior_car_detailing_part_one_cleaning_the_headliner_and_dashboard

Auto Upholstery Bay Area - How to Get Creases Out of a Leather Car Seat - Cooks Upholstery and Classic Restoration

Getting creases out of leather car seat upholstery is a simple do-it-yourself project. Learn how to smooth out and repair leather car seats.

A leather car seat needs special care and attention. It can develop creases over time. Here's how to get rid of creases in a leather car seat, as well as a few tips to help you take better care of your seats.

Removing Leather Creases
Turn on an iron to the coolest possible setting. Let it run for a bit and make sure that it's not giving out any water or steam. Lay the paper bag flat on the crease in your car seat, covering as much of the crease as possible. Iron over the paper bag to press out the crease. Make sure that you move the iron a lot to prevent it from burning the leather. Repeat the process for each crease on the seat.

Extra Care for Your Leather Car Seat

Consider the following when caring for your leather:

• Excessive exposure to direct sunlight will damage your leather car seat. Your seats will likely get exposed to a lot of sun every time your car is parked outdoors. The best solution is to place a sun shade on your windshield to keep your leather car seat in the shade no matter where you park
• Excessive heat will damage car seat leather just as much as sunlight. If you live in cold climate, this might not be much of an issue, and leather generally does better in colder regions. However, even moderate outside temperatures can cause the interior of a car to heat up to 100 degrees or more if parked in the sun with the windows closed. Opening your windows just a crack when you have to park in the sun will help keep the car's interior at less damaging temperatures
• Never wipe your leather seats down with paper towels or something similar. Anything that's made of paper, no matter how fine it is, will leave scratches in leather. Use cotton towels instead. Better yet, rip up some old t-shirts and use them as leather car seat rags. Some auto supply stores even sell fragments of t-shirts for use as leather-friendly cloths
• Make it a habit to periodically wipe your leather car seats down with leather conditioner. Leather conditioner can be found in most auto supply stores. Apply generous amounts of conditioner to a cotton cloth and spread it evenly and liberally over your car seats. If it's been done properly, a wet film should be left behind on the leather, which will gradually soak in

 

source: http://www.carsdirect.com/car-maintenance/how-to-get-creases-out-of-a-leather-car-seat

 

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