HELP! Construction Truck

Hutch98R1 · 01-03-06, 12:33

I have a repeat customer that is going to turn his concrete construction 2003 Silverado 2500HD into his non-work vehicle, since he has a new work truck. He leaves the windows all day while at work and the inside of the truck is covered in dirt.

My biggest problem is getting all the dirt out of the cloth seats and carpets. You can vacuum the seats all day, but if you hit them with your hand dirt still comes out and they appear dirty. What is the best way to get all of the dirt out? Is it best, to get them really wet and vacuum it out, the same with the carpet?
Can I powerwash the carpets on the inside of the truck? The rubber floormats are the same. In the past I have powerwashed them and scrubbed them with all-purpose cleaner, and when they dry they still have a brown haze on them. I guess, I could dress the matts to hide the dirt.

I plan to do a two step 3M polish then wax the outside, like usual.

Any help with construction dirty vehicles is appreciated. Thanks

Sherman8r44 · 01-03-06, 12:57

Have you tried using a carpet+upholstery cleaner? I find that they usually surface a lot of dirt not originally picked up by the vaccuum, and after it dries you can vaccuum up all the newly surfaced dirt.

3Dog · 01-03-06, 05:21

If you want to take the time to remove the seats....they can be laid resting on ends, like a V shape...then patted down. Much like you said that when you hit you see dirt come out. Only now the dirt will fall to the ground. Not a fast method but effective.

Tasty · 01-03-06, 06:08

I would try an extractor of some kind. Other methods too time consuming. Just out of curiosity, why the heck doesn't he roll his windows up? He knows it's killing his interior right?

3Dog · 01-03-06, 06:56

May give some ideas for exterior.
http://autopia.org/forum/showthread.php?t=63848

JBM · 01-03-06, 07:32

I have a masonry company, i know the situation.

My truck is pretty nice, but the guys truck is beat down.

The seats are going to need a pro machine of some sort to make them look dynamite, or some elbow grease to get them looking good.

LangMan37 · 01-03-06, 08:24

I may be totally off base here but it doesn't sound like he cares about his truck too much

But if he wants it done. good luck to you

Why would anyone leave their windows down on a construction site?

Charge accordinally

Hutch98R1 · 01-03-06, 09:13

Yes, he didn't care too much about the truck when it was his work vehicle. He is the owner's son and daddy buys him everything. I guess on hot days, if not all days, they just leave the windows down.
I don't have an extractor. I usually just spray on carpet cleaner, brush, then vacuum(always works well). It sounds like this will take some time, and may never be 100% clean.
He did say he would pay what it takes to make it like new.

DaGonz · 01-04-06, 05:16

If it is as bad as you say it is...

You can either rent an extractor and charge additional or you might want to farm the interior out to a professional upholstery cleaning company, then add 10 to 15% on top of their bill to reimburse you for your time in getting it there.