What Product/Tool brings your interiors to another level?

[Accumulator]

Huh, I always find it interesting when people say the Tornador, air, and steam are so indispensible. I have all three (though not a combo steamer-extractor like ShaneB has...envy...) and while they all have their uses I don`t know if I consider them must-have game-changers.

Reminder- Be careful with steamers, mine bleached out some plastic bits in the Tahoe the last time I did it, and I was being *more* gentle/careful on those areas than I had been in the past. Never caused problems until it did..and while I don`t mind the damage (on that vehicle) it`d be terrible for that to happen to some customer`s interior.

I`d vote for an extractor. House, vehicles, don`t see how anybody gets by without one (or in my case four ).

[ShaneB]

So, if you had to pick between steam and APC youd choose steam?

I personally would. While together they are unstoppable, steam alone has the potential to remove so much more and not leave a residue like APC can. And let`s not forget that a detailers biggest friend (when done responsibly) is heat. You also get the added benefit of the pressure to blow areas out that you would not be able to do easily using APC and towels.

Speaking of steamers. I tried your method today on an F150 interior. I have to iron out the process to my personal ways of doing things, but APC, agitate, wipe then use steamer to blow out/rinse worked REALLY WELL. I will be doing this from now on. Thanks! I was always only reaching for APC if steam alone wouldn`t get the spot clean. Adding the APC to start made things super quick and easy

[Oldfordisbetter]

I have had problems with steam discoloring plastics so I don`t trust using it on door panels, dashes, leather, etc.

[Dellinger]

I updated my OP just to clarify that this 1 product/tool is so important that the final outcome would not be the same without it? So those saying that a certain cleaning product couldnt be replaced with another similar one? I find that hard to believe?

David and everyone else... you may laugh at me but I have this old short bristle brush from Carrand... the bristle is about 3/8" long and are very stiff... and I can`t detail an interior without it. I have been using it for 5- 6 years (about 2 year non-pro and 4 years professionally) and it is showing signs of going the way of the buffalo. PERFECT for textured plastics that encompass virtually every vehicle I service. I swear, that brush makes HD Total @ 15:1 look like Einszett Deep Plastic Cleaner touched everything! I don`t think they still manufacturer it though! Boo!

[richy]

For me, it`s the Auto Glym Interior pad. It`s takes APC or interior cleaner to another level! Too damned bad they`re not made anymore.

[XxBoostinxX]

For me, it`s the Auto Glym Interior pad. It`s takes APC or interior cleaner to another level! Too damned bad they`re not made anymore.

Are you referring to this? Autoglym Hi-Tech Cleaning Hand Pad - Elite Car Care

[top189h]

Quote Originally Posted by David Fermani View Post
I updated my OP just to clarify that this 1 product/tool is so important that the final outcome would not be the same without it? So those saying that a certain cleaning product couldnt be replaced with another similar one? I find that hard to believe?

I could probably replace steam with a good APC/Degreaser, but I feel like I would become less efficient. And with the D156, I`m sure something similar would give me the same effect, but I`ve never tried anything else similar to it. However I will stand to my statement that it is way more effective for me than a dressing unless the interior is really worn and then a dressing is needed in my opinion to mask some of the flaws.

[RaskyR1]

I would say compressed air is a big one for me.

Same for me!

[House of Wax]

Following. Should be an× interesting thread. I feel like interiors are where I "waste" the most time

[512detail]

My McCulloch steamer!

It makes cleaning NASTY interiors a breeze. It removes crud from all the cracks and crevices.

Sent from my D6708 using Tapatalk

I third the McCullogh steamer I have- couldn`t live without it on interiors

[SYMAWD]

Adam`s leather cleaner. It`s one of those products that just works well.

[RaysWay]

Easy answer: Hot Water Extractors. I`ve always said there are detailers WITH a hot water extractor and there are detailers WITHOUT a hot water extractor. Nothing else really replicates injecting hot water, then sucking it all back up. Having a hot water extractors takes you up to another level.

[512detail]

Easy answer: Hot Water Extractors. I`ve always said there are detailers WITH a hot water extractor and there are detailers WITHOUT a hot water extractor. Nothing else really replicates injecting hot water, then sucking it all back up. Having a hot water extractors takes you up to another level.

thanks Ray you just brought back some repressed mini van memories ...lol

[RaysWay]

thanks Ray you just brought back some repressed mini van memories ...lol

Lol don`t repress those traumatic events. It`s best to let them out and talk about them.

[RangerDetails]

Easy answer: Hot Water Extractors. I`ve always said there are detailers WITH a hot water extractor and there are detailers WITHOUT a hot water extractor. Nothing else really replicates injecting hot water, then sucking it all back up. Having a hot water extractors takes you up to another level.

Excellent point. It`s the only(and most expensive) thing that I`m missing in my arsenal. I live in Canada and with our rough winters it`s almost essential. Especially this time of year where EVERYONE wants their carpet shampooed. I must have rejected about 20 jobs in the past two weeks because I can`t properly shampoo carpets with calcium stains.