girly question ...

[flagstaff]

... what does everyone use to clean the car's interior? i was thinking specifically carpets, but then i wondered what valeters use to get everything else clean. a neighbour of mine had this blue fluid that he lent me, saying "you can't buy this stuff, not in the shops" (he's a retired trucker) ... it was a degreaser/trim cleaner, apparently available only to taxi drivers and truckers. and boy does it work well. used with a brush and/or cloth, it seems to bring up trim to as new condition. he doesn't know what the actual chemical is ... anyone?

and failing that, what commercially available products have you found to be effective?

many thanks!

 

[996jimbo]

Babywipes - generally thay're to hand!

 

[JASONLEATHERMAN]

dear sir, the only way to get chemicles like that is if you trade in that sort of business. i have my own business cleaning car interiors you can see most of the work i do by visiting my web sit on www.jaysleather.co.uk and you can email me on jasonleatherrepair@tiscali.co.uk and i can get your carpet or if you want your full interior clean.
FROM
JAY'S LEATHER REPAIRS

 

[Big Jim]

Hi Flag staff,

I use turtlewax interior shine. It comes in a tin or as wipes. It gives a great shine or a matt finish depending on how soon you wipe. It also smells good too!

Let me know if you find anything else.

Jim

 

[tom7035]

An old-fashioned chemical cleaner for fabric was carbon tetrachloride, but I think is a no-no these days due to the fire risk! (and also possibly its sleep/coma inducing qualities!)

 

[blassberg]

An old-fashioned chemical cleaner for fabric was carbon tetrachloride, but I think is a no-no these days due to the fire risk! (and also possibly its sleep/coma inducing qualities!)

and carcenogenic.

 

[MissMercedes]

An old-fashioned chemical cleaner for fabric was carbon tetrachloride, but I think is a no-no these days due to the fire risk! (and also possibly its sleep/coma inducing qualities!)

and its banned by the montreal convention of 1989. it ruins the ozone layer.

 

[tom7035]

Always learning!

 

[jberks]

Other than that it's ideal then!!

I just use whatever kitchen cleaner is lying around for the trim, then pledge on the woodwork and a wet cleaner (vax etc) on the carpets.
Never had leather before so not sure what I'll need for that.

Also, a bit of an aside, but looking around and at the ones on the forecourt, why does no one ever clean the star properly? I polish mine twice a year and it gleams, setting the whole car off and reflecting back on the bonnet, but look at most, and at least on the back(the side we all stare at from the drivers seat) its dull.

 

[Myros]

for leather

autoglym leather conditioner, and if it's dirty, the orange gel Decosol ( I really must buy some shares in them, or at least pitch for the ad account). I use Peek metal polish on my star about once a year, and seal it with Autoglym super Resin Polish and the extra brilliant gloss protector thingy. It comes up like new every time I wash it. Or just a chammy leathering does it good as well.

 

[cuddles]

An old-fashioned chemical cleaner for fabric was carbon tetrachloride, but I think is a no-no these days due to the fire risk! (and also possibly its sleep/coma inducing qualities!)

A friend of mine has told me, Carbon TetraChloride was commonly known as CTC. and was in fact a very effective fire extinguisher. It was replaced by Vaporising Halogenated Liquids (gobbledegook), Or something, all of which are benned under that convention mentioned earlier. Commercial Dry Cleaners used it until it was prevented. Not sure what they use now.

anyhow, I have been employed by a friend (Volunteered in my abscence) to remove Doughnut icing from some rear fabric seats. as far as I can tell, a stiff clothes brush and some vigorus medium pressure arm movements will help! anybody any suggestions as to a decent fabric cleaner?

 

[shirubaby]

Turtle wax upholstry cleaner for upholstry (obviously) and carpet stains. Just spray and scrub with a brush. For cleaning hard plastics and vinyle; try dettol mould and mildew cleaner (contains activated bleach) - spray, scrub with a brush and just wipe off.

Be careful with it though...dont get it on the carpets or any fabrics within the car...it will bleach!!!...and test in small patch before working on the whole car. I used it to remove stains from the door cards, dash, plastics on the pillars and foot rest.

 

[television]

the subject of keeping leather good has been going on sinse 1920 with car's.

Sadle soap from a tack shop has always been the one recommended by members of the RREC, it is a oil product taken from animals and very different type of material to the white creams sold by car shops today.
Sadle soap was used in 1920 and I use it today. The smell of leather in my garage is wonderful when the top is down.
Be careful washing seats, scented soap rots the stiches.

Malcolm

 

[turnipsock]

There is a thread about this already...somewhere.

 

[tom7035]

Here;

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?t=13172&highlight=saddle+soap

I said precisely what Malcolm did but someone who apparently knew better shot me down in flames!