All loose items (spare change, mints, and etc) should be placed in a Ziploc bag and placed on the rear seat, use a separate bag for glove box and one for console and one for side pockets.
Evaluate your car's interior. Does it need heavy or
light vacuuming? Is it dusty? Does the upholstery need clean? Is the leather dry? Do you have stains or spills to clean?
All kinds of dust, fumes,
smoke and dirt builds up inside of a car’s interior, much of it is brought in by
the driver and passengers, but traffic fumes and air-borne dirt enters via the
vehicles ventilation system. Every single interior surface is affected.
Periodically it needs to be
thoroughly cleaned to remove pollutants and preserve the original surfaces,
ensuring the vehicles like-new condition. The surfaces involved in this
cleaning are; glass, vinyl, leather, plastics, fabric, carpets aAnd various
acrylic surfaces. The Swissvax Detail Brush is perfect for the interior.
Reaches into and clears out dust from inaccessible areas around knobs, air
vents etc
A thorough interior
detailing can take as much time or even longer than the exterior. Vacuum regularly (twice a month); it takes no
more than 10 to 15 minutes.
If you wipe down the
interior of your car (3 to 5 minutes) each time you wash the exterior, keeping
the dash and upholstery clean is a very simple.
Doing a little interior detailing maintenance every time, you wash the
car is a lot easier than trying to do a full interior detailing once or twice a
year.
The most important part of
the interior detailing process includes applying protection against things like
UV radiation to your dash and other vinyl and leather surfaces need regular
protection. Vinyl and rubber dressings
protect and beautify, leather needs re-hydration on a regular basis. For best results products should be used
sparingly and frequently.
Pre-test Spot Procedures
Diagnosis is the key, not guess work. Before
using a cleaning product, a detailer needs to know the material they are working
on, what they are trying to remove and wither the product chosen is compatible
with the material and will not damage it. With all cleaning products, always
test a small, inconspicuous area first to ensure it won't discolour or stain
the surface, and ensure that the pH of the product is suitable for the
material. As can be seen stain removal requires some knowledge of basic
chemistry.
Read the product labels and
manufacturers safety data sheets (MSDS) to obtain a basic idea of contents, pH
levels etc.
Depending on the pH of the
product you use you should return the surface to neutral (pH 7.0) before you
apply any dressing or protective products. Always select a chemical / cleaner
that are biodegradable, environmentally friendly and safe to use by observing
any precautions recommended so that they won’t harm you, your vehicle or the
environment. Read the product labels and manufacturers safety data sheets
(MSDS) to obtain a basic idea of contents, pH levels etc.
A pH scale 0 – 14
with pH 7 being neutral; pH controlled means it follows the major automotive
manufacturer’s guidelines for exterior cleaners; the control limit being pH
10.0<. An acidic soil can be neutralized with an alkaline solution; this is
why most so-called all purpose cleaners (APC) are alkaline. An acidic based
cleaner will counteract alkaline contamination. Most cleaners contain
detergents and surfactants and are acid or alkaline-based to solve a specific
cleaning problem. There are also other things to consider besides its pH value when
choosing a cleaner
Interior trim;
plastic coated or bare aluminium, check in an inconspicuous area, by gently
rubbing a clean, damp towel on the surface and see if you pull up any gray or
black.
Test cleaner on an
inconspicuous area then allowing it to dry to make sure the solution does not
react with the surface, is the best way to ensure there are no surprises as to
its affect, but be cognizant that it may not react in exactly the same way as a
heavily soiled area or that has been subjected to UV-B radiation (faded)
Providing the cleaning
product selected is suitable, apply several drops of the selected cleaning
solution in an inconspicuous area and rub gently with a clean, white micro
fibre towel. Do not over wet. Use small amounts of the product and blot
frequently, do not rub or use too much pressure. Do
not use the product if it adversely changes
your fabric's colour or texture.
Basic Cleaning Requirements
As with all detailing tasks;
surface preparation is the most important step to achieving e a flawless
finish. The final result can only be as good as the surface it’s applied to; so
surface preparation is of paramount importance. Products will properly bond to
a substrate and that will ensure it works correctly, and has both durability
and desired aesthetics
Three
types of energy are required;
•
Chemical energy- provided by the synthetic cleaner
•
Kinetic (abrasion) energy provided by machine or hand
•
Thermal energy -provided by warm or hot water
Test cleaner on an
inconspicuous area then allowing it to dry to make sure the solution does not
react with the surface, is the best way to ensure there are no surprises as to
its affect, but be cognizant that it may not react in exactly the same way as a
heavily soiled area or that has been subjected to UV-B radiation (faded)
Providing the cleaning
product selected is suitable, apply several drops of the selected cleaning
solution in an inconspicuous area and rub gently with a clean, white micro
fibre towel. Do not over wet. Use small amounts of the product and blot
frequently, do not rub or use too much pressure. Do not use the product if it adversely
changes your fabric's colour or texture.
Cleaning products (with the
exception of glass cleaners) should be sprayed on to a folded 100% micro fibre
cotton towel, do not spray any cleaning product directly to the surface, as this may cause
‘spot or streak’ clean patches on the surface
Use a high-quality cleaner,
formulated without strong solvents and one that has a pH value between 4 and 10
(neither strongly acidic nor strongly alkaline).
ONR and a steamer
Use ONR at the standard
256/1 dilution ratio it can be used in your steamer (reduces the need for harsh
chemical cleaners, think of it as supercharging your steamer
Griot’s Garage Ultimate Carpet & Cloth Brush -
the "V" shaped bristles are made out of Caoutchouc, an elastic latex
sap from Hevea and Ficus trees. The sap is vulcanized and moulded in a
"V" shape giving each bristle a larger surface area to trap dirt and
debris. It extracts fine particles like dust, sand, dirt and pet hair much
better than traditional bristles.
Great on tightly woven
fabric or textured surfaces like carpet and floor mats. The brush also features
a 5" squeegee on one side for fast removal of snow or water on glass. The
comfortable handle rotates and locks in four positions every 90° for increased
leverage and easy use in tight areas. The brush head is 7" wide x 1
3/4" deep with 1 1/4" long "V" bristles.
All Purpose Cleaner (APC)
Cleaners are one basic
formula diluted with water to a desired strength. To remove stains, the surface
tension that bonds them must be released, then the stain encapsulated and held
in suspension to be removed. I’m repeatedly asked which product is the best
interior cleaner. There is no one-product answer; as the so-called all purpose
cleaners (APC) do not remove every stain, different stains require different
solvents to remove them.
Undiluted;
works well on wheels with caked-on brake dust and tires with deep-in brown
stains. It makes quick work of greasy door jambs, dirty white walls, stained
vinyl tops, grimy trunk lids and engine compartments.
Diluted; it’s
a great spot cleaner for removing embedded insect residues, road grime and
white wax stains on paint and around emblems. Diluted even more, it cleans
interior vinyl, carpet and fabric upholstery.
P21S®
High Performance Total Auto Wash is a safe and effective
Limonene (citrus) based cleaner, is gentle yet powerful on the surface, and the
citrus solvent will lift the toughest of grime with one swipe of your sponge or
towel. Citrus has long been used in stain removing formulas.
Optimum
Opti™ Clean is a one-step product that cleans and protects all automotive
surfaces in a single step, paint, vinyl, rubber, metals, plastics, and even
glass.
Product Application
Test cleaner on an
inconspicuous area then allowing it to dry to make sure the solution does not
react with the surface, is the best way to ensure there are no surprises as to
its affect, but be cognizant that it may not react in exactly the same way as a
heavily soiled area or that has been subjected to UV-B radiation (faded)
Providing the cleaning
product selected is suitable, apply several drops of the selected cleaning
solution in an inconspicuous area and rub gently with a clean, white micro
fibre towel. Do not over wet. Use small amounts of the product and blot
frequently, do not rub or use too much pressure. Do
not use the product if it adversely changes
your fabric's colour or texture.
Cleaning products (with the exception of glass cleaners) should
be sprayed on to a folded 100% micro fibre cotton towel, do not spray any cleaning product
directly to the surface, as this may cause ‘spot or streak’ clean patches on
the surface
Zaino Custom Polish Applicator – a
specially designed 100% virgin cotton polish applicator, approximately 4 x 5 -
inches square, with special reversed stitching to prevent scratching of paint
surfaces.
The 100% virgin cotton
material features the finest texture and softest nap available. The cotton
surface surrounds a special silicone free, sponge insert. Slightly dampen your
applicator with a light mist of water, before applying wax to the applicator.
This technique will make product spread further and more evenly and ensure that
applicator is soft. After use, hand wash applicator
Washing -
After using foam pads place in some water with P21S® High
Performance Total Auto Wash or Optimum Power Clean;
this keeps your pads moist and begins the cleaning process while you finish
detailing; pads can be rotated by soaking and squeezing out reside. Never allow
a used application pad to air dry before it is washed.
Ambient Air temp - 90oF temperatures (attained after 2-hours)
slight air movement (with still air add 10-15oF)
Rubber Window Seals
The seals on most vehicles
are no longer made of natural rubber; vehicle manufacturers use a specialized
synthetic material called ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM). Natural
rubber, or blends containing natural rubber, just cannot endure the direct exposure
to sunlight (ultraviolet light) and the harmful-to-rubber oxidizing gases in
our atmosphere.
The soft seals around doors,
windows, sunroof, hood and trunk are constantly being flexed and compressed all
the while being subjected to a hostile environment. For maintenance use a
product that contains glycerine to maintain the look and feel of the rubber
Alternative products
1. 1z einszett Gummi-Pflege - for use on clean or
pre-cleaned rubber; protective, with durability measured in months it has a
little sponge on top of the bottle so you always get the right amount of
product on your weather-stripping or rubber seals. Once applied to rubber they
will take on a dark but natural shine. Use bi-annually to provide protection to
avoid rubber from hardening or freezing. Highly recommended Iz einzett
Gummi Pflege (Rubber Care) – Drivewerks
2. Zymol
Seal - a natural plant anti-oxidizing agent, it will prolong the
useful life of the seal by restoring the original moisture and resist tearing
and sticking
3. Wurth
Rubber Care Gel Stick - a silicone-free, biodegradable, and water repellent
Pre-test Spot Procedures
With all cleaning products, always test a small, inconspicuous
area first to ensure it won't discolour or stain the surface, and ensure that
the pH of the product is suitable for the material. As can be seen stain
removal requires some knowledge of basic chemistry.
Read the product labels and
manufacturers safety data sheets (MSDS) to obtain a basic idea of contents, pH
levels etc. Depending on the pH of the product you use you should return the
surface to neutral (pH 7.0) before you apply any dressing or protective
products.
Always select a chemical /
cleaner that are biodegradable, environmentally friendly and safe to use by
observing any precautions recommended so that they won’t harm you, your vehicle
or the environment. Read the product labels and manufacturers safety data
sheets (MSDS) to obtain a basic idea of contents, pH levels etc.
Providing the cleaning
product selected is suitable, apply several drops of the selected cleaning
solution in an inconspicuous area and rub gently with a clean, white micro
fibre towel.
Do not over wet. Use small
amounts of the product and blot frequently, do not rub or use too much
pressure. Do not use the product if it
adversely changes your fabric's colour or texture.
Cabin Air Filter
We all know the problem. The
fans blow in everything that belongs outside; gaseous pollutants like ozone,
nitrogen oxides, sulphur dioxide, hydrocarbons, as well as dust, soot and
pollen all have free access to the vehicle. Cabin filters, on the other hand,
clean the incoming airflow before they reach the vehicle's interior, thus
guaranteeing healthy fresh air
Cabin air filters first
appeared back in the mid-1980s on Audi and other European makes. Today, about
80 percent of all new import and domestic vehicles have a cabin air filter.
They absorb up to 100% of
all pollen, dust particles and harmful substances. This results in a noticeable
improvement in the air quality inside the vehicle. Cabin filters are generally
found in one of three locations: under the hood, inside the glove box or under
the dashboard.
The filter can trap pollen,
dust, smoke and other pollutants that would otherwise enter the vehicle through
the outside vents causing allergy and discomfort due to undesirable smells.
Maintenance – remove filter and brush
lightly with a soft brush in-between the folds and then use a light spray of Ozium®
air sanitizer
The recommended replacement
interval for a cabin air filter depends on the type of filter being replaced.
(Carbon or paper) and the cabins filter exposure to the environment and mileage
driven.
Most vehicle manufacturers
recommend replacing a paper or carbon activated filter once a year or every
10,000 to 12,000 miles to keep the cabin filter working at its highest
efficiency. Check vehicle owner’s manual for location
Activated
charcoal cabin filters. These filters have an extra layer of
activated carbon that reacts with odours and other airborne pollutants to
neutralize them before they enter the vehicle. The charcoal activated filters
will also reduce the levels of CO2 (carbon monoxide) and NO2 (oxides
of nitrogen) from the emissions of other vehicles on the road.
Bosch Cabin Filters - and charcoal activated filters absorb up to 100% of all
pollen, dust particles and harmful substances. Cabin Filter recommended
replacement is every 12,000 to 15,000 miles, or once a year will keep the cabin
filter working at its highest efficiency – Autobarn -
http://www.autobarn.net/boschcabinairfilters.html
Bosch Cabin Filter Location Finder -
http://www.bosch.com.au/content/language1/downloads/Cabin_Filter_A4.pdf
Counteractants
Odour Neutralizer / Deodorizing
Many odours are caused by
micro-organisms such as bacteria, mould, and mildew. First start by cleaning
all the interior surfaces; but remember shampooing alone will not eradicate
these odours. You eliminate dour-causing organisms with very specialized chemicals.
Look for stains, if there are
no stains, use the process of elimination; it is very effective when searching
for the source of an odour; floor or seats, mats or carpet? If the vehicle has
velour upholstery, a spill can penetrate on contact. If it is vinyl or leather,
it will run to the deepest seam. Pay special attention to the headliner and all
glass surfaces
The use of an air freshener
can often mask but will not remove unpleasant odours, but will require frequent
reapplication to remain effective. Stubborn lingering odours require a more
focused solution. These products don't just freshen or perfume the air; they
completely eliminate bad odours and leave your car with a fresh smelling
interior.
a) Aquartz - So2Pure (CleanAir), this is not a perfume cover-up type product
but an advanced high grade air purification coating based on the latest
nano-science technology photo catalyst. In the presence of light, active oxygen
is formed and excited on the treated surfaces to destroy all micro-sized air
pollutants, including petro fumes, smog, diesel smoke, exhaust gases,
industrial smoke, chemical off-gassing or VOCs from car fabric, leather and
plastic materials, air toxins, cigarette odours, etc.
b) PŪRWorld is a spray application deodorizing product (not a
cover-up sent); hydroxyl radicals are among the strongest oxidizing species,
even much stronger than chlorine, ozone, and peroxide. They act as very
powerful disinfecting agents by oxidizing the cells of microorganisms, causing
rupture and leakage of vital composition.
They accelerate the
breakdown by destroying the molecular bonds. This will help combine the organic
gases to form a single molecule that is not harmful to humans thus enhance the
air cleaning efficiency.
Symptom that occurs
from prolonged exposure to microbes that grow in automobile interiors, the
presence of the microbes causes similar reactions as sick building syndrome.
Some of the examples of odour molecules are: tobacco odour, formaldehyde,
nitrogen dioxide, urine odour, gasoline, and many other hydrocarbon molecules
in the atmosphere.
Generally speaking, disinfectants by titanium oxides are three
times stronger than chlorination, and 1.5 times stronger than ozone treatment.
PŪRWorld provides photo catalyst surface coating for long-lasting effects of
deodorization, sterilization, and anti-soiling purposes.
DrivePur is a three step process:
·
Changes the chemistry of tar and nicotine as well as working on
high pH odours
·
Antibacterial odour neutralizers for low pH odours
·
Tio2 - "The insurance policy the odour will not comeback.
Using specialized
spray-coating equipments (Tornador) a fine mist <5 a="" and="" applied="" be="" can="" catalyst="" different="" forms="" guarantees="" material="" maximum="" nano="" of="" on="" photo="" protection="" result.="" span="" structure="" surface="" that="" the="" ti02="" types="" water-based="">DrivePur Protection Systems
c) Biocide Systems - Chlorine Dioxide (ClO2) is a potent oxidizer that
literally uses oxygen to break up odour molecules. This sort of oxidizing
action is found in many chemicals, but ClO2 is one of the most effective. ClO2
gas is especially good at oxidizing organic odour-causing substances, including
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC). It does not mask them like perfumes do, it
neutralizes them through oxidation and is very effective – Biocide Systems
d)
Ozium® air sanitizer - does not cover up the odours associated with pets, cooking
and smoking. The original air purifier is a chemical agent that actually
eliminates smoke and unpleasant odours and reduces airborne bacteria. It
actually cleanses the air through glycolized action. The glycolized formula
acts directly on odour causing particles in the air.
Ozium is an EPA registered
air sanitizer and is safe to use residentially or commercially in homes, rental
property, hospitals, nursing homes, hotels, veterinary clinics, restaurants,
bars, laundry rooms, cars, mobile homes, offices, and just about anywhere there
might be an odour problem.
Application method-
spray product onto cleaned surfaces, turn the AC to recirculation mode, spray
return air ducts (clean or change cabin air filter) allow to run for approx 5
minutes, allow the deodorizer to permeate the various surfaces for about an
hour before using the vehicle.
The devil is in the (smallest) detail
Some areas of the interior that are sometimes overlooked
(the little details make all the difference)
·
Seat guide rails
·
Areas under the dash and the inside of the glove box
·
Emergency (handbrake) brake and gear shifter to get the areas
that are hidden when parked, but clearly visible when in Drive or when the
emergency brake is engaged.
·
Sun visor mirrors and sun visor
·
Rear-view mirror
·
Open the sun-roof inside cover and clean glass and rubber seals
Dog Hair Removal
For removing pet hair from
upholstery in your house and car an easy method is to use rubber upholstery
napping brush or glove, those with a raised grip work better. Put the glove on
and run it under the tap to make it wet then shake off excess moisture. Run
your fingers over the pet hair areas in short scraping strokes. You will find
that the hair is easily removed and it is especially easy to get into nooks and
crannies
Use a synthetic lava rock or
a large pore pumice stone (CarPet Pet Hair Remover) Use
a lint roller or masking tape wrapped around your hand for the hard to reach
places.
Interior Trim Materials
Bi-laminates - PVC and TPO
coated olefin foams, Vinyl, Tri-laminates - PVC and TPO coated olefin foams
with protective back-skin, ALURA® - Soft leather replacement for seating and
door trim
Like all detailing tasks
proper surface preparation is necessary to obtain the desired outcome. Using
the wrong vinyl "protectant" product is worse than using no vinyl
treatment product at all.
Avoid vinyl treatment
products that contain any type of oil, have an oily or greasy feeling, contain
petroleum distillates or leave a coating that dries like wax. If a product label says "flammable or
contains petroleum distillates", do not use on vinyl
1z Plastic Cleaner (Plastik-Reiniger)
- an intensive, non-corrosive, non-acidic two-phase deep cleaner that removes
grime build-up, scuff marks, bitumen (tar) and nicotine thoroughly and
effortlessly with dust-resistant anti-static action. Use to clean armrests,
door handles, shift knobs, vinyl seats, pedals, dashboard, storage
compartments, tires, rocker panels, wheel wells, and etc. Water-based formula
is biodegradable, silicone and formalin-free as well as environmentally
friendly.
Iz
Cockpit Premium – an interior care and protectant developed specifically for
that original matte-satin factory finish. This is a treatment spray for all
interior components including the dash, finished leather and vinyl seats, door
handles, trim, navigation screens, stereo head units, and clear plastic. It has
very limited cleaning ability but it provides UV protection for interior
materials. The gentle formula is water-based and free of oils providing a
non-slip finish, which allows for application on the steering wheel, shift knob
and both finished leather and vinyl upholstery.
There is no such thing as a
permanent UV stabilizer, it a matter of physics, not chemistry. Providing
protection (303 Space Protectant) from ultra violet
radiation (UV) is very important to avoid photo degradation (colour fading)
particularly in an open-air roadster/convertible UV protection is a sacrificial
/ renewable component; this is due to the UV protection layer being degraded by
exposure to the elements (sun, sand, road or sea salt, and etc); so it is imperative
that you renew it and needs to be re-applied on a regular 45 to 60 day basis
(dependent upon location climatic condition)
Headliner- if
there are areas where your head touches the ceiling you will probably notice
that these areas accumulate dirt and the like because of the oils that come
from your hair and your skin that are now on the headliner.
Vacuum the headliner making
sure you apply pressure, but not too much. Not only can you set the stains in
this way, you may tear what can be very fragile upholstery if you press too
hard. Vacuum thoroughly to make sure that you get all of the loose dust
fragments
Cleaning - Duragloss 451
Fabric & Carpet Cleaner Aerosol Foam (FC) is a
blend of surfactants, which gently foam away soil, oil and grease from fabric
and carpet surfaces. Spot cleaning can be done without leaving rings on
fabrics, carpet and velour. Use Dr Joe dedicated Lint-Free 100% Cotton Blue
Huck Surgical Towels, using very light pressure and wipe the headliner
following the cleaning with the water based cleaner (do not soak or use hot
water on the headliner fabric as it may delaminate) Dry by blotting with a
clean, dry surgical huck towel
Brushes
Griot’s
Garage Two Boar's Hair Detail Brushes -delicate brushes for
interior and exterior detailing, nothing beats these Boar's Hair Brushes for
quick, safe, scratch free cleaning. The round brush seems best for
out-of-the-way crevices and really helps out interiors. I use the
"flat" one to detail oily doorjambs and exterior trim where wax tends
to accumulate. The boar's hair is epoxy-set in nice wooden handles; safe for
the most delicate interior surfaces.
Ultimate DA Polisher Shampoo Brush - turn your orbital polisher into an interior
shampooer, for its ease of use and high quality results it produces when
shampooing carpeting and upholstery. Scrubbing by hand with a brush takes time
and effort, is designed to fit all most orbital polishers, the 5/16 shaft
easily screws directly into your polisher. Heavy duty built construction for
long lasting performance
Griot’s Garage
Boar's Hair Detail Brushes -delicate brushes for
interior and exterior detailing, nothing beats these Boar's Hair Brushes for
quick, safe, scratch free cleaning. The round brush seems best for
out-of-the-way crevices and really helps out interiors. I use the
"flat" one to detail oily doorjambs and exterior trim where wax tends
to accumulate. The boar's hair is epoxy-set in nice wooden handles; safe for
the most delicate interior surfaces.
Swissvax Leather Brush is made from durable natural bristles in optimum length,
strength and rigidity and is highly recommended for cleaning finished leather
and vinyl.
Griot’s Garage
Ultimate Carpet & Cloth Brush - the bristles
are vulcanized and moulded in a "V" shape giving each bristle a
larger surface area to trap dirt and debris. It extracts fine particles like
dust, sand, dirt and pet hair much better than traditional bristles. Great on
tightly woven fabric or textured surfaces like convertible fabric tops, carpet
and floor mats. The comfortable handle rotates and locks in four positions
every 90° for increased leverage and easy use in tight areas.
Speaker Grille
Use a small boar’s hair
brush to loosen any debris and then vacuum with soft bristle brush attachment.
Apply 1z Plastic Cleaner at
an angle to the grille but do not spray directly at the mesh, allow to dwell for a few minutes and then
apply Iz Cockpit Premium for final cleaning and to
provide a matte finish.
Carpets and Fabric Mats
Autoglym Interior
Shampoo/Cleaner easily cleans
through dirt and oils on hard to clean panels like door handles or seats,
safely cleans finished leather surfaces, Alcantara® and etc, and effectively
removes stains from carpets without any fear of bleaching, leaving soapy
residue, or lingering scent behind. The name suggests shampoo, but this product
is an actual cleaner.
Recommended interior maintenance schedule
Weekly
•
Remove floor mats, shake and then brush with a stiff nylon
carpet brush to remove dirt / debris (for stains use a spot cleaner)
•
Remove any loose items/trash from interior
•
Brush upholstery (for leather-use a boar’s hair brush Fabric-
use a nylon upholstery brush)
•
Brush carpets to loosen any dirt/debris before vacuuming
thoroughly
•
Using a damp Microfiber towel wipe down leather seats, plastic,
vinyl and wood surfaces
•
With a clean, damp Micro fibre (Corsa) glass cleaning cloth wipe
down windows, interior mirror, vanity mirrors, instrument panel and navigation
screen.
Monthly
•
In addition to the weekly routine
•
Vinyl and leather surfaces should be cleaned and a suitable
dressing and/or conditioner applied
•
Using a damp Micro fibre (Corsa) towel clean all glass surfaces
and mirrors with a glass cleaner
•
Use a clean Microfiber towel to clean all plastic surfaces (wood
trim, instrument panel, etc) with a plastic cleaner / polish (Plexus)
•
With a Microfiber towel apply a glycerine dressing (Zymol
Seal) to all `rubber' seals (windows, doors, trunk and hood)
Quarterly
•
In addition to the monthly routine
•
Clean all fabric surfaces using a carpet extractor
•
To hand clean fabric and carpet surfaces, use a spray-on cleaner
that penetrates and lifts dirt from the fabric, and then rinse away debris with
very damp terry towelling.
•
Rinsing is very important, more especially for upholstery
fabric.
•
Dry thoroughly before use.
•
Using a clean damp Microfiber towel apply a conditioner to all
leather surfaces
•
Lightly spray a fabric protector to all fabric surfaces (inc.
floor mats)
•
Using a clean damp Microfiber towel apply a dressing to all
Vinyl surfaces
•
Apply ultra violet radiation (UVR) protection to all interior
surfaces
Basic Cleaning Requirements
As with all detailing tasks;
surface preparation is the most important step to achieving e a flawless
finish. The final result can only be as good as the surface it’s applied to; so
surface preparation is of paramount importance. Products will properly bond to
a substrate and that will ensure it works correctly, and has both durability
and desired aesthetics
Three types of
energy are required;
•
Chemical energy- provided by the synthetic cleaner
•
Kinetic (abrasion) energy provided by machine or hand
•
Thermal energy -provided by warm or hot water
Test cleaner on an
inconspicuous area then allowing it to dry to make sure the solution does not
react with the surface, is the best way to ensure there are no surprises as to
its affect, but be cognizant that it may not react in exactly the same way as a
heavily soiled area or that has been subjected to UV-B radiation (faded)
Providing the cleaning
product selected is suitable, apply several drops of the selected cleaning
solution in an inconspicuous area and rub gently with a clean, white micro
fibre towel. Do not over wet. Use small amounts of the product and blot frequently,
do not rub or use too much pressure. Do
not use the product if it adversely changes your fabric's colour or texture.
Cleaning products (with the
exception of glass cleaners) should be sprayed on to a folded 100% micro fibre
cotton towel, do not spray any cleaning product directly to the surface, as this may cause
‘spot or streak’ clean patches on the surface
Use a high-quality cleaner,
formulated without strong solvents and one that has a pH value between 4 and 10
(neither strongly acidic nor strongly alkaline
Using a micro fibre towel
Fold the towel into four
quarters when using towels; it’s best to wipe in a single direction until all
visible contamination is removed, flipping the towel frequently; micro fibre
enables you to clean almost everything with just the towel and hot water. They
eliminate the need to carry around different cleaners for different uses. These
cloths are a great environmentally friendly healthy alternative to cleaning
with chemicals.
What is equally important
with any micro fibre towel is the way they are used; they need to be turned
frequently, and don’t apply too much pressure, especially at the edges. Fold the micro fibre towel in half, then in
half again, using very little downward pressure, gently wipe the surface and then
flip the towel to a clean surface and wipe again. When you see the towel start
to show a line of dirt, flip it around and use a different, clean section.
With it folded properly
you'll get a couple of first wipe / second wipe sections out of it. It usually
takes 4 or 5 towels to wipe down an average vehicle. When you are ready to
clean them, rinse well, re-wash and leave to air-dry (See Micro Fibre Washing / Care)
Carpet Stripe Pattern
To obtain a ‘stripe pattern’
on (freshly cleaned, damp) carpets / mats; alternate the direction of the extractor
(pull towards you to make one line, then push away from you on next) The
reasoning behind it apparently is that it gives the customer an assurance that
all of the carpeting was vacuumed and not just "Spot" cleaned.
Personally I prefer the look of a vapour cleaned carpet with the nap raised and
lightly brushed to attain uniformity.
Food
Eating while you drive is
one of the most distracting things you can do, according to several recent
surveys by insurance companies and data from the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration.
Insurance companies
analyzing what people eat? And you wonder why we're paying such high insurance
rates. Anyway, here goes... the top 10 food offenders in a car are:
1.
Coffee
2.
Hot soup
3.
Tacos
4.
Chilli
5.
Hamburgers
6.
Barbecued food
7.
Fried chicken
8.
Jelly or cream-filled donuts
9.
Soft drinks
10.
Chocolate
Order of Cleaning
On the basis of dirtiest
first; carpets, air vents (check cabin air filter) dash, interior glass
surfaces, seats, interior trim inc instrument cluster and satellite navigation
screen, steering wheel, etc
Leather upholstery; weekly;
lightly brush surfaces, vacuum and then wipe down with distilled water on a
micro fibre towel.
Bi-weekly – as
above plus 303™ Space Protectant for UV radiation protection
Monthly –
apply leather protection Leather Masters Leather Protection Cream to provide
protection against oil and water stains, as well as providing resistance to the
effects of daily soiling.
Carpets;
Weekly - spot clean to remove
stains as necessary and vacuum
Monthly –
use hot-water extractor
General purpose APC -
dilute Optimum Power Clean™ or P21S® High Performance Total
Auto Wash up to 3:1 to safely clean vinyl, paint, and plastics. Remove
old dash dressings and tough residues from interior panels and wheel surfaces.
Special polymers and emulsifiers break down contaminants with minimal
agitation.
Carpeted floor mats:
Floor mats take a majority of the wear away from the interior carpet. However,
this leaves floor mats with soiling as well as oily stains. Inspect for oily
stains.
Use a solvent-based spot
remover to remove oily stains. Spot treat really bad stains (303™
Cleaner & Spot Remover or Woolite® Heavy Traffic
Carpet Foam)
Pour a small amount of
cleaner onto a terry towel and wiping toward the centre of the stain to remove
the spot. Clean normal to heavy soiling as described above. Floor mats may get
as wet as necessary to properly clean them.
Normal cleaning-
brush loose dirt/dust with a stiff brush, lightly spray surface with a carpet
cleaner (Woolite® Heavy Traffic Carpet Foam) and let the foam to
remain in place for 5-10 minutes and then remove residue.
Heavily soiled- brush loose
dirt/dust with a stiff brush, use a citrus-based pre-cleaner P21S®
High Performance Total Auto Wash 10:1 distilled hot water,
let solution to remain in place for 5-10 minutes to enable cleaners to react,
and then use a carpet extractor
The rubber backing and the
ability to relocate them to a warm place (not direct sunlight) for quick drying
aids their cleaning. After mats are clean and dried, brush them to raise the
fibres and apply stain guard (303 High Tech Fabric Guard) to repel grease, dirt
and oil based stains and provide UV protection against fabric fading.
Use caution- if using Oxy-Clean™
is an oxygen bleach that is also a strong alkaline (pH 10) as it
may discolour or leave a ‘bleach’ type stain if not thoroughly rinsed / removed
as its active ingredient is hydrogen peroxide which is considered a corrosive.
Rubber Floor Mats
Clean with an all purpose cleaner (P21S® High Performance Total Auto Wash-its active ingredient is Limonene solvent (citrus) a safe all purpose
cleaner, use a fairly stiff tyre brush for the first application and a spray
and rinse and thoroughly dry, do not apply any dressing that will make them
slippery, I would suggest 303™
Space Protectant or Iz einszett Cockpit Premium Apply and rub well with a terry towel
until dry
The porous nature of rubber
attracts oils, dirt and road grime. First remove any road tar, grease and
grime, silicone and oxidized rubber from the surface to properly clean it. A
rubber cleaner needs to be strong enough to tackle a heavy build-up of road
dirt and grime, but not damage the surface
The key to durability is
deep cleaning the rubber, spray or apply your cleaner allow to soak in for a
minute or two and then scrub with a fairly stiff brush, once clean you should
be able to take an old white dry terry towel and rub the surface, it should be
almost pristine (if not repeat).
Alternative products – Optimum™ Polymer Technologies - Power Clean (diluted 3:1: to 5:1) or Griot's Garage - Rubber Cleaner
A rubber cleaner (Menzerna Wheel Surface and Tyre Cleaner or 3M Tyre & Wheel Cleaner -39036) will remove any dead rubber as the porous nature of rubber and
polymers attracts dirt, dust, and brake dust and road grime.
Supplementary
Restraint System (SRS) Seat
belts
[: A seatbelt is a safety harness
designed to secure the occupant of a vehicle against harmful movement that may
result from a collision or a sudden stop. As part of an overall automobile
passive safety system, seat belts are intended to reduce injuries by stopping
the wearer from hitting hard interior elements of the vehicle, or other
passengers (the so-called second impact), are in the correct position for the
airbag to deploy and prevent the passenger from being thrown from the vehicle.
Seat belts also absorb energy by being designed to stretch during any sudden
deceleration, so that there is less speed differential between the passenger's
body and their vehicle interior, and also to spread the loading of impact on
the passenger’s body ]
.
For spot stains use a fabric
cleaner (303 Cleaner & Spot Remover™)
1.
Pull the belts from the retractor and gently close the door on
the belt, clean with a Limonene-based cleaner (P21S® High Performance
Total Auto Wash) and a med-stiff brush.
2.
Allow to air dry before opening the door and retracting the
belt. Do not use bleach, strong detergents, or dye on the seat belts as this
may severely weaken them and render them ineffective in a crash.
3.
Dry vapour steam or a Tornador® are alternative methods for
cleaning.
4.
Once fabric is dry apply a fabric protection (303™
High Tech Fabric Guard)
5.
While you are cleaning the belts, take the opportunity to
closely inspect them for damage and security of attachment, ensure here are no
cuts, tears or abrasions (you should always inspect for damage etc if they get
caught by a closing door)
6.
After a while the seat belt mechanism becomes slow and / or will
not retract when released. This can be avoided by cleaning the upper anchor; as
the seatbelt retracts it leaves behind a film of dirt, which builds up over
time. Use compressed air to remove dust and then using a Q- tip and some
Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) you can clean the seat belt anchor / retracting
mechanism. Once clean add some Plexus
Plastic Cleaner to provide lubrication.
Maintenance
- clean seat belts with a 5:1 P21S® High Performance Total
Auto Wash / distilled water solution, ensure
they are thoroughly dried before use
Alternative
products – C-28 Seat Belt Cleaner and Spot Remover
from PRO® is a non-flammable and non hazardous concentrated cleaner that
safely removes dirt, oil, grease and stains from seat belts
Caution: Do not use bleach,
solvents or other strong chemicals on the seatbelts as these may compromise the
webbing leading to subsequent failure.
You can be severely injured
or killed in a car crash unless you wear a seat belt, even if the vehicle is
fitted with air bags. They are supplemental restrains only and will not deploy
under all accident circumstances. Always use seat belts and seat children only
in the rear, using restraint and seat belts systems appropriate for their size
and age.
Seat Removal
Removal of the seats will
make cleaning the upholstery much easier, allowing access too hard to reach
areas; it’s relatively easy if you take your time and are careful. Disconnect
the battery before starting. Remove the battery terminals (negative -
connection first and then positive +) and always put them back in the reverse
order.
Some vehicles have airbags
sensors in the seats but when you unplug the seat wiring harness with airbags
or airbag sensors, the computer senses this and trips the light (s) and/or
message, which must be reset by the dealer when you’ve re-installed the seats
wiring harness
Front bucket seats are
typically held down by four bolts on the ends of the runners at the base of the
seat, two in the front and two in the back, these bolts are usually torque down
hard (when replacing start the bolt by hand, being very careful not to cross-thread
them) These are removed using a socket wrench. Sometimes the bolts are covered
by a decorative plastic moulding, which is held in place by a screw or just
pops off using a prying action with a slotted screwdriver.
First, slide the seats to
its rear-most position, exposing the front Torx head
bolts, remove, then, sliding the seat to its forward position, exposing the
rear bolts, remove.
When all four bolts have
been removed, gently tilt the seat either forward or back to reveal any wires
that are connected to the underside of the seat (seat position controls, heaters, seat belt and air bag sensors,
etc.)
Carefully unplug these
wires, and remove the seat from the vehicle, taking care not to scratch leather
or paint surfaces as you lift out the seat. Cover the remaining wire harness
with a plastic bag and then aluminium foil; this will prevent water and / or
pigmentation solution from entering the wiring harness.
Caution-
It may be necessary
to have a dealership ‘reset’ safety air bag sensors and disarm / rearm the
side-impact air bags (SAB) as they are installed in the seat. Improper
disarming may result in injury if the side air bags should deploy
Professional detailer's (unless this is personal vehicle) you should be cautious if
removing seats as this may raise safety liability issues
Door Jambs
1. Use P21S® High
Performance Total Auto Wash or Optimum Opti™ Clean), dilute the cleaner as
necessary, using a damp micro fibre towel to go over the door jamb to remove
excess grease etc.
2. Ensure all water drainage
holes are clear
3. Take a Swissvax Detail
Brush and ensure that you have got into the corners, just lightly brush over it
a couple of times.
4. For difficult to reach
areas use the Mini E-Z Detail brush with a flexible shaft
5. Rinse it off using a wet
microfiber towel, and dry thoroughly
6. Use a Carnauba wax or a
spray (WOWA) polymer sealant Zanio Z-8 for protection
7. Repeat this process on
the other side and carry on detailing the rest of your car
8. Check the hinge / latch
lubrication, renew with a clear synthetic grease (WURTH Spray Grease Synthetic
Lubricant) or white Lithium grease, as necessary
9. Apply WD-40 (water
displacement) to lock as this will prevent moisture, rust and or freezing
10. Apply Graphite Lubricant
to the door locks, hinges and latches
11. Remove dust / dirt from
the rubber sleeves and apply Iz einszett Vinyl-Rubber Care'
12. While you are doing this
part of the job, also clean the area around the boot lid, hood and inside the
fuel filler flap and access area.
13. Clean the water channels
in the trunk as well as under the hood.
On many vehicles the door jambs up by the hinges only have e
protection of a clear coat, so be cognizant that a degreaser or high alkaline
cleaner may stain or leave a ‘clean’ run if allowed to dwell
Don’t forget the door sills
/ kick plates; use P21S® High Performance Total Auto Wash or Optimum Power
Clean™) once clean and dry, they should be protected by applying a surface
dressing to vinyl surfaces and either wax or sealant protection to painted
surfaces.
Door sills / panels (scuff plates)
Wash with a diluted
3:1 all purpose cleaner (APC) P21S®
High Performance Total Auto Wash
or Optimum Opti™ Clean
Griot's Garage sells a transparent tape that is similar to a
clear bra but it is easily removable. It is designed for paint and uses a mild
adhesive so it won't harm the surfaces and can be removed without adhesive
residue.
Dashboard
Periodically clean using Iz
einszett 'Plastik-Reiniger' an intensive, non-corrosive, non-acidic
two-phase deep cleaner for urethane covered upholstery and vinyl trim, that
removes grime build-up thoroughly and effortlessly, these chemicals restore the
original texture, tactile feel and resiliency or Sonax Dashboard
Cleaner are both Silicon-free
(Silicon oil formulations
are build-up type products which accelerate heat damage) interior cleaners for
all vinyl / plastic parts reliably prevent electrostatic charges creating a
dust repellent surface. The white residue sometimes found on a vinyl dashboard
is the plastizers out gassing, use a cleaner as above
And then apply a suitable
matte type dressing (G Techniq C4 Trim Restorer or Iz
Cockpit Premium) to ensure that there is no reflection on the windshield, thus
reducing visibility.
Alternate with a UVR
protection (303™ Space Protectant or Optimum
Protectant Plus) especially to the dash and any other surface that is subjected
to sunlight on a regular basis. Note
that there are no surface cleaners in these
products
The white residue sometimes
found on a vinyl dashboard is the plastizers out gassing, use a cleaner as
above
Wood Trim
The ‘wood’ trim in most
vehicles (some Aston Martin, BMW, Jaguar, Lexus and Mercedes Benz models use
real wood) which is protected with a urethane clear coat, polyurethane or a
thin lacquer, which is very easily scratched.
·
Clean with a chemical cleaner (Klasse All-In-One or Zaino
Z-AIO) and then buff with a clean micro fibre towel
·
Remove scratches with a fine polish (Menzerna
PO85RDor 3M Plastic Polish and Cleaner)
Maintenance- use an anti-static plastic cleaner (Iz
einszett Cockpit Premium) which includes UV protection, alternate
by using a clean damp micro fibre towel
Aluminium Trim
Wipe with a damp micro fibre
towel to remove dust and then use Klasse AIO to clean. To remove fine surface scratches,
use Menzerna Polishing Cream, as this is a non-abrasive polish I suggest you
use a 100% cotton terry weave towel
Wipes
Using ‘wipes’ for the
application of products is not recommended; as the first 'wipe' uses most of
the available product leaving little or none at all for the rest of the
surfaces. To treat all the upholstery surfaces will take many wipes to be
effective, making them both inefficient and uneconomical
Instrument (Gauges)
Cluster Screen
After washing and drying the
surface; use Plexus® Plastic Cleaner to clean and protect the
surface. It will seal the tint material and keep it clean. It contains
anti-static so it repels the dust and dirt normally attracted to plastic.
It also leaves an invisible, micro-thin layer
of protection, sealing the porous surface, making it more resistant to dirt,
dust and other contaminants. Regular use will help prevent crazing, yellowing
and oxidation which diminishes the plastic's lustre, and appearance,
non-streaking, and it dries crystal clear.
Surface Scratches - plastic polish will not remove clarity
defects that are within the plastic but it will remove external/surface
scratching and oxidation (yellowing). Prior to application of a plastic polish
ensure that the surface is clean and free from dust particles by washing with a
soft cloth and warm water.
Be cognizant that a highly
abrasive cleaner may impair any anti-glare/reflective coating.
Use a plastic polish that is
safe for all types of clear and coloured (polycarbonate) type plastics
i.e. Lexan, Perspex, Lucite and
most clear acrylics - Novus 1or 2
Novus 1 - gently cleans all plastics without
scratching, leaves a lustrous shine that resists fogging, repels dust, and
eliminates static.
Novus 2 - removes fine scratches,
haziness, and abrasions from most plastics (exceptional for removing scratches
from Plexiglas). Use repeatedly and restore faded and discoloured plastics.
Novus 3 -removes heavy scratches and abrasions
from most acrylic surfaces (use
caution with this as it’s a
strong abrasive).
Current
Information
I hope these articles are informative.
The information in this article is based on the current status of the technical
development as well as our experience with the products.
By having
some understanding of the ‘What’ and ‘Why’ as well as the ‘How’ along with a
little science to help you understand how the chemicals we use react, you can
achieve the results you desire.
I would appreciate it if you would share
these articles as it helps other detailers further their knowledge.
As always if you have questions, I’ll do
my best to answer; bear in mind the only stupid questions is the one that was
unasked. Questions and/ or constructive comments are always appreciated
Copyright
© TOGWT ® 2002-2010, all rights reserved
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