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Description: The inside "living" area of your car is known as the
interior. This generally includes the seats, seat belts and harnesses, inside
door panels, carpeting, mats, dashboard, rear "package" tray (if equipped), and
cargo area.
Purpose: Your car’s interior provides comfort, safety and
convenience for all the occupants, as well as various features to control many
of the car’s systems. For instance, the Climate Control System keeps your car’s
interior comfortable regardless of the time of year or driving conditions.
Your car's interior can be likened to the living room of your house, since
you spend so much time there. Keeping your car's interior clean and protected
guards your investment, provides longer interior life, and makes clean-up a lot
easier the next time around.
It's also wise to prevent any loose articles from moving around within the
interior, because they can interfere with operation of the brake, accelerator
and clutch pedals and may even be dangerous when a sudden jar of the car takes
place during an accident. Remove all unnecessary items and locate those that
must stay in a secure place like a compartment, cup holder, or other storage
place.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: It's important to keep your car's
interior clean and well maintained. Frequent vacuuming removes much of the dirt
that can contribute to wear and tear of the fabric and carpet. Periodic cleaning
of carpet and fabric removes dirt that is more imbedded and can minimize the
likelihood of stains.
To protect interior surfaces such as panels, clean with a suitable interior
cleaner and apply a protectant to prevent damage from the sun’s ultraviolet
rays. If your car has a leather interior, clean the leather periodically and
apply a leather treatment to keep the leather conditioned for longest
life.
Spills and other mishaps should be cleaned up as soon as possible to reduce
the possibility of stains. Use a carpet or upholstery spot cleaner according to
the manufacturer's recommendations. Test all cleaners for color-fastness in a
hard-to-see spot first before using in a more conspicuous place.
A great way of removing dust, pollen and common allergens from interior
surfaces is with shop cloths. These disposable cleaning cloths capture dirt
rather than moving it around. To make sure they're handy when you need one, keep
some in the glove compartment.
Always vacuum the car's upholstery and floor mats each time you wash your
car. Afterwards, spray some odour-eater to freshen the car's interior and remove
any lingering odours. Once clean, protect your car's fabric upholstery and
carpeting with an application of a fabric guard. This type of product repels
both water and stains, making clean-up the next time around much easier.
Door Panels
Description: The inside door panels of your car go beyond aesthetics by
contributing to the functionality and ergonomics of the interior. The door
panels often incorporate pull handles, switches, controls, lights and other
appointments that blend form with function. Because of this combination, door
panels tend to receive their share of wear and tear, and therefore require
periodic cleaning and care.
Maintenance Tips/Suggestions: Regardless of which type of
panel you’re cleaning, start with a thorough vacuuming of the entire interior.
This is also a good time to tighten any loose parts attached to the panels, or
to replace missing or damaged parts.
Clean vinyl door panels regularly with quality vinyl upholstery cleaner and
a soft cloth. For areas with stubborn dirt imbedded into the texture of the
panel, apply the cleaner to a soft, nylon-bristled brush and scrub gently. Never
use harsh chemicals like solvents or bleach as they may damage or discolour the
panel. Also, avoid using abrasive cleaning pads as they can scratch the panel,
accelerating wear and creating a porous surface that dirt can cling to. As you
clean your car’s door panels, take note of any damage to the surface. If you
have doubts about the condition of any door panels, contact an automotive
upholstery specialist.
Since they’re absorbent, fabric door panels or fabric sections of door
panels can accumulate more than the usual amount of dirt, along with spills.
Regular vacuuming is the best first step towards fabric upholstery care,
followed by occasional cleanings with quality automotive upholstery cleaner.
Never use harsh chemicals such as industrial solvents or cleaning agents and
never use metallic brushes to free ground-in dirt. They could damage the
interior. Make sure to follow the instructions on the label of the cleaner for
best results. To be on the safe side, it’s wise to test the color fastness of
the fabric by applying the cleaner to fabric in an inconspicuous place. For
really tough stains, it may require spot pre-treatment or repeated applications.
Leather door panels should be cleaned and treated twice a year. Apply
leather cleaner with a white, all-cotton, terrycloth towel. Use a steady, but
gentle circular motion as you apply the cleaner. Once you’re finished applying
the cleaner, wait a few minutes and then wipe the treated area with a second
towel. For extremely dirty upholstery, repeat cleaning as needed in those areas.
Follow up the cleaning with an application of a leather conditioner. Like
applying the cleaner, work in the conditioner with a gentle, circular motion.
This prolongs the life of the leather, maintaining its appearance and softness,
yet providing resistance to cracks and wear. To get the most from your car’s
leather door panels, always follow the instructions that come with leather
cleaning and conditioning products.
Upholstery
Caring for your vehicle’s upholstery not only maintains its appearance, but
it can also add years of life and increase resale value down the road. Left
neglected, dirt can accelerate the wear of any surface. And, even though today’s
interiors hold up well to the extremes of heat and cold, there’s simply no
substitute for proper and routine care and cleaning. Regardless of which type of
upholstery you’re cleaning, start with a thorough vacuuming of the entire
interior.
Vinyl Upholstery: Vinyl upholstery should be cleaned
regularly with quality vinyl upholstery cleaner and a soft cloth. For areas with
stubborn dirt imbedded into the texture of the upholstery, apply the cleaner
with a soft, nylon-bristled brush and scrub gently. Never use harsh chemicals
like solvents or bleach as they may damage or discolour the upholstery. Also,
avoid using abrasive cleaning pads as they can scratch the upholstery,
accelerating wear and creating a porous surface where dirt can stick. As you
clean your car’s upholstery, check thoroughly for wear, cracks, loose stitching
and separation. It’s wise to have any damage corrected as soon as possible to
prevent it from becoming worse. Consult an automotive upholstery specialist if
your upholstery needs special attention.
Cloth Upholstery: Because of its porous nature, fabric
upholstery can become imbedded with the usual kinds of dirt and spilled liquids.
Regular vacuuming is the best first step towards fabric upholstery care,
followed by occasional cleanings with quality automotive upholstery cleaner.
Never use harsh chemicals such as industrial solvents or cleaning agents and
never use metallic brushes to free ground-in dirt. They could damage the
interior. Make sure to follow the instructions on the label of the cleaner for
best results. To be on the safe side, it’s wise to test the color fastness of
the fabric by applying the cleaner to fabric in an inconspicuous place in the
interior (under a seat, for example). To combat tough stains, it may require
spot pre-treatment or repeated applications.
Leather Upholstery: For best results, leather upholstery
should be cleaned and treated twice a year. Apply leather cleaner with a white,
all-cotton, terrycloth towel. Use a steady, but gentle circular motion as you
apply the cleaner. Once you’re finished applying the cleaner, wait a few minutes
and then wipe the treated area with a second towel. For extremely dirty
upholstery, repeat cleaning as needed in those areas. Follow up the cleaning
with an application of a leather conditioner. Again, work in the conditioner
with a gentle, circular motion. This helps condition the leather, keeping it
supple, yet resistant to cracks and wear. For best result, always follow the
instructions that come with leather cleaning and conditioning products.
When and How to Replace Upholstery: Torn seats, worn
carpeting, faded dashboard finishes and cigarette burns decrease the value of a
vehicle and contribute to a less-than-pleasant atmosphere for the driver. Trim
and upholstery shops specialize in repairing and enhancing the interior, and
certain exterior features of cars, trucks, sport utility vehicles, vans, RVs,
boats - even aircraft. These shops can repair or recover leather, cloth and
vinyl seats; replace and upgrade worn or soiled carpeting; replace torn or
falling headliners (ceiling fabric); and repair, replace or install convertible
tops and sunroofs.
To locate a quality trim shop, look in the yellow pages under headings such
as: "auto upholstery repair," "seat covers," or "convertible auto tops" to find
a shop in your area. The same key words can be used to find shops using Internet
search engines.
Once you have located a few shops, use these tips to select the right one
for you:
- Explain the problem. Tell the shop the type of vehicle you have and what the
problem is. A good shop should be able to clearly explain the options available
to fix your vehicle or the upgrades that may enhance its value.
- Don't be afraid to ask questions. You can never ask too many questions, and
a good trim shop is trained to help you fully understand your interior
maintenance needs.
- Obtain a written estimate of the work to be performed. The estimate should
include parts, cost of parts, cost of labour and an expected delivery date. Many
people are surprised at the affordable cost when balanced against the value the
repair or upgrade has added to the vehicle.
- To protect your investment, make sure the shop is insured.
- Does the shop have a warranty program? You can be confident in the service
you receive from a business that is willing to warranty both parts and labour.
- Ask to see examples of past work completed. A good trim shop will have a
photo book that includes different types of services performed and the results,
which are often spectacular.
- Visit the facility. A clean, well-run shop will bolster your confidence that
the trim shop you have chosen can do the work specified.
Trim and upholstery work also lets individuals customize their cars, to
reflect their own personal tastes. For example a customer with cloth seats may
choose to upgrade to leather, or he or she can change the whole color scheme of
the vehicle's interior from red to silver. Research by the Automotive
Aftermarket Industry Association in Bethesda, Maryland in the United States,
shows that a vehicle with highly visible signs of wear -- like torn upholstery,
worn carpeting, cigarette burns, and damaged headliners -- is worth hundreds of
dollars less in resale value. A clean, well-maintained vehicle is worth much
more than an identical one that's been neglected. Besides, a car that looks good
feels good.
Carpet
Description: Automotive carpets
are generally made of synthetic materials, for reasons of practicality and
durability. Polypropylene fibre, the most commonly used will not absorb water
and is therefore highly stain and odour resistant. For general automotive use it
is unsurpassed in wear and performance.
Trunk interiors do not suffer the same degree of wear, and lighter weight
carpets are generally used, sometimes bonded to a sound-deadening material. Dash
mats can be exposed to a high degree of sunlight and heat and a UV stabilized
marine carpet is more suited for this purpose.
Carpets for luxury cars tend to have some natural fibre to add bulk. The
English "Wilton," for example, manufactured for Jaguar, Rolls Royce and Range
Rover, is a blend of cotton and wool and acrylic fibres. The Mercedes, Porsche
and BMW carpets have a similar composition.
Maintenance Tips &
Suggestions: Vacuuming regularly extends the life
of carpet by reducing the abrasion of dirt particles and tearing which occurs
when fibres are snagged on debris. Shampooing with a dry foam application is the
most appropriate form of cleaning. For polypropylene, white spirits are a good
general purpose stain remover, but always test first on a concealed portion of
the carpet to insure colourfastness.
Treating Spills: When
spills occur, prompt treatment is critical. For problem areas, use the following
guide, beginning with the mildest treatment and progressing further if
necessary. Do not use ketones, petroleum or aromatic solvents.
Insert Chart
Clean vinyl door panels regularly with quality vinyl upholstery cleaner and
a soft cloth. For areas with stubborn dirt imbedded into the texture of the
panel, apply the cleaner to a soft, nylon-bristled brush and scrub gently. Never
use harsh chemicals like solvents or bleach as they may damage or discolour the
panel.
Also, avoid using abrasive cleaning pads as they can scratch the panel,
accelerating wear and creating a porous surface that dirt can cling to. As you
clean your car’s door panels, take note of any damage to the surface. If you
have doubts about the condition of any door panels, contact an automotive
upholstery specialist.
Since they’re absorbent, fabric door panels or fabric sections of door
panels can accumulate more than the usual amount of dirt, along with spills.
Regular vacuuming is the best first step towards fabric upholstery care,
followed by occasional cleanings with quality automotive upholstery cleaner.
Never use harsh chemicals such as industrial solvents or cleaning agents and
never use metallic brushes to free ground-in dirt. They could damage the
interior.
Make sure to follow the instructions on the label of the cleaner for best
results. To be on the safe side, it’s wise to test the color fastness of the
fabric by applying the cleaner to fabric in an inconspicuous place. For really
tough stains, it may require spot pre-treatment or repeated applications.
Leather door panels should be cleaned and treated twice a year. Apply
leather cleaner with a white, all-cotton, terrycloth towel. Use a steady, but
gentle circular motion as you apply the cleaner. Once you’re finished applying
the cleaner, wait a few minutes and then wipe the treated area with a second
towel.
For extremely dirty upholstery, repeat cleaning as needed in those areas.
Follow up the cleaning with an application of a leather conditioner. Like
applying the cleaner, work in the conditioner with a gentle, circular motion.
This prolongs the life of the leather, maintaining its appearance and softness,
yet providing resistance to cracks and wear. To get the most from your car’s
leather door panels, always follow the instructions that come with leather
cleaning and conditioning products.
Headliners
The headliner finishes off your car's interior by providing a finished look
to your car's ceiling. Whether vinyl or fabric, the headliner can also help
soften the acoustics inside the vehicle, reducing noise from the outside and
improving the sound of the entertainment systems inside.
Periodic care and cleaning of the headliner should be part of regular
interior upkeep. Start with a thorough inspection of the headliner to make sure
that it’s secure across its entire span. Look for sagging areas, which can be
caused by water leaks or unsecured headliner attachment points. Consult an
automotive upholstery specialist to determine how to best address the specific
type of problem you have.
Vacuum the headliner thoroughly, yet carefully, using a brush attachment.
Using other attachments on more powerful shop vacuums could apply full suction
to the headliner, pulling or stretching it, and possibly loosening it from its
attachment points.
Clean a vinyl headliner with vinyl upholstery cleaner and a soft cloth. Do
not use any strong solvents or bleach. They may damage or discolour the vinyl
covering. It’s also wise to avoid using abrasive cleaning pads as they can
damage the vinyl surface. As you clean the headliner, use care so you’re only
wiping the surface, not pushing and stretching the material.
To clean a fabric headliner, use automotive upholstery cleaner. Never use
strong chemicals or any cleaning agent that discolour or damage the fabric. Make
sure to follow the instructions on the label of the cleaner for best results. To
be on the safe side, it’s wise to test the color fastness of the fabric by
applying the cleaner to fabric in an inconspicuous place on the headliner (in a
corner or under a sun visor, for example). To combat tough stains, it may
require spot pre-treatment or repeated applications.
Sun visors
Often taken for granted, your car’s sun visors play a critical safety role
and also complement the rest of the interior. With many interiors becoming
increasingly upscale, it’s common for sun visors to incorporate illuminated
make-up mirrors, slide-out extensions and separate right-angle visors.
Like the rest of the interior, regular care and cleaning of the sun visors
is no exception. Regardless of the type of upholstery covering the sun visors in
your car, it’s best to start by checking to make sure that the visors operate
properly. You should be able to move each visor side to side and up and down and
it should stay in position. Tighten any loose fasteners or hardware. While
you’re at it, clean the visor mirrors and check the operation of the light, if
equipped. Replace any bad bulbs.
Clean vinyl visors with vinyl upholstery cleaner and a soft cloth. For
visors with dirt imbedded into the texture of the vinyl, scrub the area with a
soft, nylon-bristled brush. Stay away from using harsh chemicals like solvents
or bleach, because they can damage or discolour the vinyl covering. It’s also
wise to avoid using abrasive cleaning pads as they can damage the vinyl surface,
and give dirt a place to stick. Damaged visors should be repaired or replaced.
Contact an automotive upholstery specialist if you have any doubts on what the
best course of action may be.
Fabric-covered visors require a different cleaning technique than vinyl,
due to the absorbent nature of fabric. Start with a thorough vacuuming of the
entire visor, followed by a cleaning with automotive upholstery cleaner. Steer
clear of using harsh chemicals like industrial solvents or cleaning agents and
never use metallic brushes to free ground-in dirt. They can damage the fabric.
Make sure to follow the instructions on the label of the cleaner for best
results. To be on the safe side, it’s wise to test the color fastness of the
fabric by applying the cleaner to fabric in an inconspicuous place in the
interior. For really tough stains, pre-treatment or repeat applications may be
needed.
Upholstery
Caring for your vehicle’s upholstery not only maintains its appearance, but
it can also add years of life and increase resale value down the road. Left
neglected, dirt can accelerate the wear of any surface. And, even though today’s
interiors hold up well to the extremes of heat and cold, there’s simply no
substitute for proper and routine care and cleaning. Regardless of which type of
upholstery you’re cleaning, start with a thorough vacuuming of the entire
interior.
Vinyl Upholstery: Vinyl upholstery should
be cleaned regularly with quality vinyl upholstery cleaner and a soft cloth. For
areas with stubborn dirt imbedded into the texture of the upholstery, apply the
cleaner with a soft, nylon-bristled brush and scrub gently. Never use harsh
chemicals like solvents or bleach as they may damage or discolour the
upholstery. Also, avoid using abrasive cleaning pads as they can scratch the
upholstery, accelerating wear and creating a porous surface where dirt can
stick. As you clean your car’s upholstery, check thoroughly for wear, cracks,
loose stitching and separation. It’s wise to have any damage corrected as soon
as possible to prevent it from becoming worse. Consult an automotive upholstery
specialist if your upholstery needs special attention.
Cloth Upholstery: Because of its porous
nature, fabric upholstery can become imbedded with the usual kinds of dirt and
spilled liquids. Regular vacuuming is the best first step towards fabric
upholstery care, followed by occasional cleanings with quality automotive
upholstery cleaner. Never use harsh chemicals such as industrial solvents or
cleaning agents and never use metallic brushes to free ground-in dirt. They
could damage the interior. Make sure to follow the instructions on the label of
the cleaner for best results. To be on the safe side, it’s wise to test the
color fastness of the fabric by applying the cleaner to fabric in an
inconspicuous place in the interior (under a seat, for example). To combat tough
stains, it may require spot pre-treatment or repeated applications.
Leather Upholstery: For best results,
leather upholstery should be cleaned and treated twice a year. Apply leather
cleaner with a white, all-cotton, terrycloth towel. Use a steady, but gentle
circular motion as you apply the cleaner. Once you’re finished applying the
cleaner, wait a few minutes and then wipe the treated area with a second towel.
For extremely dirty upholstery, repeat cleaning as needed in those areas. Follow
up the cleaning with an application of a leather conditioner. Again, work in the
conditioner with a gentle, circular motion. This helps condition the leather,
keeping it supple, yet resistant to cracks and wear. For best result, always
follow the instructions that come with leather cleaning and conditioning
products.
When and How to Replace
Upholstery: Torn seats, worn carpeting, faded
dashboard finishes and cigarette burns decrease the value of a vehicle
and contribute to a less-than-pleasant atmosphere for the driver. Trim and
upholstery shops specialize in repairing and enhancing the interior, and certain
exterior features of cars, trucks, sport utility vehicles, vans, RVs, boats -
even aircraft. These shops can repair or recover leather, cloth and vinyl seats;
replace and upgrade worn or soiled carpeting; replace torn or falling headliners
(ceiling fabric); and repair, replace or install convertible tops and sunroofs.
To locate a quality trim shop, look in the yellow pages under headings such
as: "auto upholstery repair," "seat covers," or "convertible auto tops" to find
a shop in your area. The same key words can be used to find shops using Internet
search engines.
Once you have located a few shops, use these tips to select the right one
for you:
- Explain the problem. Tell the shop the type of vehicle you have and what the
problem is. A good shop should be able to clearly explain the options available
to fix your vehicle or the upgrades that may enhance its value.
- Don't be afraid to ask questions. You can never ask too many questions, and
a good trim shop is trained to help you fully understand your interior
maintenance needs.
- Obtain a written estimate of the work to be performed. The estimate should
include parts, cost of parts, cost of labour and an expected delivery date. Many
people are surprised at the affordable cost when balanced against the value the
repair or upgrade has added to the vehicle.
- To protect your investment, make sure the shop is insured.
- Does the shop have a warranty program? You can be confident in the service
you receive from a business that is willing to warranty both parts and labour.
- Ask to see examples of past work completed. A good trim shop will have a
photo book that includes different types of services performed and the results,
which are often spectacular.
- Visit the facility. A clean, well-run shop will bolster your confidence that
the trim shop you have chosen can do the work specified.
Trim and upholstery work also lets individuals customize their cars, to
reflect their own personal tastes. For example a customer with cloth seats may
choose to upgrade to leather, or he or she can change the whole colour scheme of
the vehicle's interior from red to silver.
Research by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association in Bethesda,
Maryland in the United States shows that a vehicle with highly visible signs of
wear, such as torn upholstery, worn carpeting, cigarette burns, and damaged
headliners, is worth hundreds of dollars less in resale value. A clean,
well-maintained vehicle is worth much more than an identical one that's been
neglected. Besides, a car that looks good feels good.
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