Interior Detailing - My Tribute to the Toothbrush!!

**David Fermani** · 12-14-2010, 07:35 PM

As many of you are aware by now, I LOVE CLEANING INTERIORS! More than that, I often am known to scrub every possible square inch of them with the common toothbrush. I feel there is no better way to effectively and gently clean any non-fabric trim pieces. I also incorporate this valuable tool to many exterior cleaning chores as well. Depending on the substrate and it`s condition, I will employ different methods, brush styles and cleaning agents to get the job done. After trying dozens of APCs, degreasers and special cleaning agents, my top 4 favorites are HD TOTAL / Optimum Power Clean / Leather Masters Strong Cleaner / Leather Doctor Strong Cleaner 4.3. Here`s a brief display of some of my recent work:

**David Fermani** · 12-14-2010, 07:36 PM

**BMAPARTS** · 12-14-2010, 07:44 PM

Toothbrush is such a powerful tool to have in the detailing arsenal, I always recommend it too! Thanks for sharing

**Barry Theal** · 12-14-2010, 07:56 PM

You know they make battery powered ones now. lol Great tribute.

**MarcHarris** · 12-14-2010, 08:04 PM

You`re the man David. So crazy and the results say EVERYTHING. I`ve been using a toothbrush more and more recently with great results, but of course I don`t have the collection you do.

**white gecko** · 12-14-2010, 08:48 PM

Originally Posted by Barry Theal

You know they make battery powered ones now. lol Great tribute.

Anyone tried one for detailing?

**schiddy** · 12-14-2010, 08:55 PM

That`s amazing! I see you said what leather cleaners you use. Are those before and afters with conditioner too or just after cleaning? Is a conditioner needed after the cleaners?

**E300Diesel** · 12-14-2010, 09:04 PM

Good thread Dave!

**Leadfootluke** · 12-15-2010, 12:19 AM

Some of that leather looks a million time better.

So why a toothbrush over a brush with the same type/stiffness but bigger?

**LS1-MEX** · 12-15-2010, 01:45 AM

your toothbrushes have the craziest handles ever......but im a lil concerned about the leopard print brush, is ther sumthing your not tellin us?? lol great tribute

**Ed341** · 12-15-2010, 07:18 AM

Wow, amazing transformations! I`m looking forward to completing my customer`s Sequoia`s interior on Friday. Going to try some of your tactics since its the dirtiest vehicle I`ve had the pleasure to work on.

**MarcHarris** · 12-15-2010, 10:11 AM

Oh, and I wanted to make sure to give you credit and show just how much I respect this type of attention to detail.

Originally Posted by Marc AKA MuttGrunt

I used the Fermani method of leather cleaning:

Taken from the mega write-up we did from the `29 Ford Roadster: http://www.autopia.org/forum/pro-det...ml#post1395309

**Accumulator** · 12-15-2010, 11:25 AM

David Fermani- Rather than feeling inspired by your work, I just wish you were doing my interiors for me

So you *enjoy* doing that work huh?!?

**JCastro1085** · 12-15-2010, 04:50 PM

Originally Posted by barry theal

you know they make battery powered ones now. Lol great tribute.

rotflmao!!!!

**David Fermani** · 12-15-2010, 04:52 PM

Originally Posted by BMAPARTS

Toothbrush is such a powerful tool to have in the detailing arsenal, I always recommend it too! Thanks for sharing

I agree! Thanks for agreeing with me.

Originally Posted by Barry Theal

You know they make battery powered ones now. lol Great tribute.

But those don`t build up the muscles in my forearms! :Banane19:

Originally Posted by MuttGrunt

You`re the man David. So crazy and the results say EVERYTHING. I`ve been using a toothbrush more and more recently with great results, but of course I don`t have the collection you do.

Originally Posted by MuttGrunt

Oh, and I wanted to make sure to give you credit and show just how much I respect this type of attention to detail.

That`s awsome! See, don`t ever say you`ve never learned something from me. Much appreciated. :brushteeth:

Originally Posted by gofast908z

Anyone tried one for detailing?

My kids have the kung-fu death grip on theirs otherwise I would have. :evil:

Originally Posted by schiddy

That`s amazing! I see you said what leather cleaners you use. Are those before and afters with conditioner too or just after cleaning? Is a conditioner needed after the cleaners?

None of these after after pictures show any surface that is conditioned. As a matter of fact many of the befores (the ones that are shiny) show how ugly and unnatural a conditioned surface can look. I`m on the bandwagon of people that prefer "protectors" as they tend to not leave anything on the surface.

Originally Posted by michakaveli

Good thread Dave!

Thank you sir! :wave:

Originally Posted by Leadfootluke

Some of that leather looks a million time better.

So why a toothbrush over a brush with the same type/stiffness but bigger?

Good question. I have and use larger brushes, but nothing beats a concentrated deep cleaning effort that a toothbrush can produce. Kinda just a preference I guess. My customers appreciate that their interior is being cleaned with one too. Some detailers brag about using expensive wax, I brag about this. :bump2:

Originally Posted by LS1-MEX

your toothbrushes have the craziest handles ever......but im a lil concerned about the leopard print brush, is ther sumthing your not tellin us?? lol great tribute

LOL - I promise I`m only using those brushes on consigment right now. They are not mine. :whistle1:

Originally Posted by Ed341

Wow, amazing transformations! I`m looking forward to completing my customer`s Sequoia`s interior on Friday. Going to try some of your tactics since its the dirtiest vehicle I`ve had the pleasure to work on.

Thanks Ed - Let us know how it works out. That trunk interior is huge! Ouch.

Originally Posted by Accumulator

David Fermani- Rather than feeling inspired by your work, I just wish you were doing my interiors for me

So you *enjoy* doing that work huh?!?

I`d do it in a heartbeat Accumulator! I`d rather scrub interiors all day than buff paint. As long as the lighting is good. :headbang: