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Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
This has been a tough area for many of us for years. There are a few different ways of going about cleaning cloth seats but they all have their fall backs. Anyone who has tried to remove water rings, soda stains, or anything for that matter from cloth seats know that its not as easy as it sounds. The first thing we go for is normally an extractor if one is available. While this will usually take care of the original stains, the chances of you soaking and extracting evenly is slim. This will cause NEW stains and more problems for you. In some extreme cases Ive known of folks pulling the seats out and pressure washing the entire seat. The drawbacks to that method are obvious so I wont go into that. Another way is to use a stain remover or dry foam and scrub them by hand. While this will also work, the down side is the same as using an extractor. Your not likely going to clean them evenly so they wont dry evenly. Vapor steamers will usually do a great job, but honestly how many noobies or weekend warriors own one?
After running across seats like this over and over and trying everything I could think of with little luck, I decided to think WAY out of the box and I came up with this method. Its been in the experimental stages for almost a year now and Ive had very good luck and very good results from it. I wanted to do a wide variety of different manufactures seats before claiming its safe. So far so good, but I claim no responsibility for what you do to your car.
Here are a few shots of some seats before using this method just to give you an idea of what Im trying to remove.
http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/a...eatbefore1.jpg
http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/a...eatbefore2.jpg
http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/a...eatbefore3.jpg
Things you`ll need - A rotary or DA polisher, a clean, dedicated pad (wool works best but foam will work. (Dedicate this pad strictly to seats. You dont want to reuse this pad on your paint the next day), spot or stain remover of your choice, and a couple cans of dry foam such as Blue Corral Dri-Clean or Tuff Stuff.
The process is fairly simple but it does make a bit of a mess so make sure you havent dressed the interior or cleaned the windows yet.
I start off by spraying each stain or problem area with a spotter or stain remover and let it stand for a few minutes. I`ll normally go over every seat before moving on to the next step. This in theory should be breaking down the stains while your working on your first seat.
http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/a...eatbefore6.jpg
Next, prepare your pad. I prefer wool pads but Ive also used foam pads with success as long as they arent super soft. Make sure the pad is clean and free of anything that may cause staining or damage.
http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/a...eatbefore4.jpg
Since your spotter has already been sprayed on the trouble spots, coat the entire seat with dry foam and let is set for a minute or so. Dont wait until the foam has entirely disappeared. Using your machine on a low setting, slowly scrub the foam into the seat. It really doesnt matter if your using a rotary or a DA. All you need is the circular motion and the power of the machine. Continue to scrub the entire seat. Dont forget head rests, along with the sides and back. Theres more to a seat than where you plant your butt :D
http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/a...eatbefore5.jpg
http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/a...eatbefore7.jpg
Once you`ve scrubbed the entire seat and the foam is gone, the seat should be a little damp but not wet. Take a clean and dry microfiber towel and wipe the entire area around the seat down, including the seat. Within an hour of being done they should be dry enough to sit in. Shampoo seats with an extractor and your looking at hours of drying time so thats another plus for this method.
Once your done, the results should come out something like this.
http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/a...Seatafter1.jpg
http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/a...Seatafter2.jpg
http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/a...Seatafter5.jpg
http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/a...Seatafter6.jpg
http://i970.photobucket.com/albums/a...Seatafter8.jpg
I still consider this method to be in the experimental stages, and I do request that if anyone tries this, to please post some before and afters. Id love to see how this works out for others.
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
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I`ve heard you mention this. The results look great. Your using twisted wool right?
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
Didn`t you once mention using the foamed wool for this?
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
My favorite pads to use are the foamed wool ones. Thats what I started out using, but decided to try out different ones and honestly they all worked about the same. When I took these pics I didnt have a foamed wool pad with me.
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
This sounds great.Ill have to try it . Some people use a extractor and end up soaking the seats. I usually just mix up a ammonia and water solution and just wipe down the seats. That also pulls out a lot of dirt . I also use spray foam at times.
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
Yes the pad I used on these was twisted wool. I like them because they are thicker than the foamed wool and absorb a lot of the cleaners. The only down side is they will at times shed some of the wool and throw it all over the car. Ive had this happen twice. Not really a huge deal if you have an air compressor to just blow it back out, but if someone didnt have air it could cost them a few minutes of time wiping everything back down.
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
Gina seems to really know her stuff when it comes to stains like these....
Talk about water spots - Truth In Detailing Auto Detailing Forum
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
RaskyR1
Those are really gross. I run across seats like that pretty often since I do so much low end wholesale cars and trucks. I didnt see her process though..curious as to how she does hers.
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
mrclean81
Those are really gross. I run across seats like that pretty often since I do so much low end wholesale cars and trucks. I didnt see her process though..curious as to how she does hers.
Yeah, she`s pretty tight lipped about the actual process. They are using expensive CFR extractor machines. Getting it clean and then dried quickly to reducing wicking is about all the info she gives.
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
nice do u have a good method for leather cleaning too??i am getting some cracks :(
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
polisher
nice do u have a good method for leather cleaning too??i am getting some cracks :(
Keeping a good conditioner on leather is just as important as wax on paint. Without it your seats dry out and crack. Once the damage is done, all you can really do is start regular conditioning to keep it from getting worse. Im about to give the Zaino Z9/Z10 combo a whirl. Poorboys Leather Stuff is great too. I would try that first.
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
polisher
nice do u have a good method for leather cleaning too??i am getting some cracks :(
Leatherique is what I use for cleaning and conditioning. The cracks are not going to go away by cleaning or conditioning, its part of what leather will do with normal wear and tear. If you leather seats are getting some age on them, the foam cushion might be compressing, and the leather will look loose, that can increase the cracks. The solution is to replace the foam cushion.
Not sure if AG handles Leatherique but they have their own web site with tons of good info on it.
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
Excellent article! Thank you :rockon
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
CEE DOG
Excellent article! Thank you :rockon
Thanks. I hope someone gets some use from it :)
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
Hi MrClean81...
Did you ever tried the Chemical Guys Carpet/Upholstery Brush with you method instead of a wool pad?
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
Great work. Very interesting.
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
rurocking
No but I have considered getting a backing plate to accommodate one of the 4 inch brushes made for a Cyclo. Im not sure of the stiffness of either. Normal brushes are hard on cloth seats but Im sure these brushes are soft and made for this use. I`ll have to give it a shot some time.
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Paul S
Great work. Very interesting.
Thank you :D
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
Great article. Now I know what to do if my cloth seats ever get stained :). What cleaner did you use for the spot treatments?
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
I use some stuff from Superior Products called Zap It, but there are many out there that do the same thing. Superior is easily accessible for me, so thats what I use.
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
mrclean81
No but I have considered getting a backing plate to accommodate one of the 4 inch brushes made for a Cyclo. Im not sure of the stiffness of either. Normal brushes are hard on cloth seats but Im sure these brushes are soft and made for this use. I`ll have to give it a shot some time.
The first link I sent you is for the stiff brush for carpets mostly that are heavily soiled. This link is for the softer brush.
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
I really like that idea to clean seats. Thanks for posting!
When I bought my new truck I decided to stop off at Sonic for a drink. When the car hop brought it out the lid wasn`t fully secured on the cup and the way they handed it to me left only the top to grab. Spilled the drink all down the side of my truck, the door panel and some got on the seat. I had a hard time keeping the seat from staining when it dried.
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
Excellent write up. I`ll definatly try this method out, I always have a problem with the rings showing up after I clean the seats. Sounds like you`ve made history!
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
Thanks everyone. The brushes would work really well for carpet and scrubbing the seats, but the advantage of the pad is it absorbs the cleaner and makes the seats dry very quickly. With a brush only, you`ll either have to go back with a pad or shop vac, and the shop vac would put you back at square one with water marks and stripes. Thanks for the links. Im gonna try these out sometime.
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
mrclean81
The brushes would work really well for carpet and scrubbing the seats, but the advantage of the pad is it absorbs the cleaner and makes the seats dry very quickly.
Very good point! and you are welcome regarding the links.
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
This sounds like a great idea except how do you rinse the foam out of the seats?
I use a Mytee HP60 Extractor all the time on cloth seats and I don`t soak them so badly that I cant extract almost all the water out. For my cleaner I will use Meguiars APC+ either at a 10:1 or a stronger mixture - 7oz APC+ and fill the rest with water in a 32oz bottle..
Dan F
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Stokdgs
This sounds like a great idea except how do you rinse the foam out of the seats?
I use a Mytee HP60 Extractor all the time on cloth seats and I don`t soak them so badly that I cant extract almost all the water out. For my cleaner I will use Meguiars APC+ either at a 10:1 or a stronger mixture - 7oz APC+ and fill the rest with water in a 32oz bottle..
Dan F
I dont let the foam sit long enough to really soak into the seat. The wool pad absorbs most of the cleaner and foam so there is no need in extraction. When using wool, I spur the pad out once or twice per seat because the pad gets so loaded up and wet.
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
MrClean81, what RPM setting did you use on your rotary? Thanks in advance!
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
In theory this looks like it will work and as per the pictures it looks like it works excellent. I am going to give it a try. Thanks for the tip. :cheers:
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
doctordon
MrClean81, what RPM setting did you use on your rotary? Thanks in advance!
Ill start out as slow as it will run to keep from slinging foam everywhere. As the foam dissolves, Ill usually ramp the speed up to 1 1/2 or 2
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
So mrclean have you tried this with a DA? I was thinking I might get a little bit of `scubbing` action with a PC. And what kind of foam do you think would work best? Maybe a harder foam like white?
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Addicted2Bling
So mrclean have you tried this with a DA? I was thinking I might get a little bit of `scubbing` action with a PC. And what kind of foam do you think would work best? Maybe a harder foam like white?
Yes I`ve used my GG6 to to this several times with success. Really all you need is the circular motion and power of the machine. It don`t matter what kind of machine it is as long as its not a GG3..those are useless for this lol. The foam I use is Car Brite Xtra Duty.
Its the most potent of any foam I`ve ever used, but really any foam would work. Maybe we need to get on ACC about carrying some good foam cleaners ;)
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
^^You should go into business that`s a million dollar idea:bigups
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Addicted2Bling
^^You should go into business that`s a million dollar idea:bigups
I like the way you think :D
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
thats a showroom shine..nicee
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
mrclean81
Yes the pad I used on these was twisted wool. I like them because they are thicker than the foamed wool and absorb a lot of the cleaners. The only down side is they will at times shed some of the wool and throw it all over the car. Ive had this happen twice. Not really a huge deal if you have an air compressor to just blow it back out, but if someone didnt have air it could cost them a few minutes of time wiping everything back down.
For some reason I`m thinking this may be a little bit like the dentist telling you that, "you`re going to feel just a little bit of pressure".
Regardless, I`m probably gonna try it, because it looks like it really works well.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
dtuna42
For some reason I`m thinking this may be a little bit like the dentist telling you that, "you`re going to feel just a little bit of pressure".
Regardless, I`m probably gonna try it, because it looks like it really works well.
Like I stated in the first post, Im not claiming anything other than it works. Im a pro detailer, not a scientist who breaks down everything that`s happening until it doesn`t make sense. Im sure there are some who will say "this sounds too aggressive and it might disturb a cloth fiber, so this is a bad idea". Those are the ones who have never cleaned a filthy seat in their life. Real world problems require real world solutions imo.
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Re: Shampooing Cloth Seats (according to me)
Quote:
Originally Posted by
mrclean81
Like I stated in the first post, Im not claiming anything other than it works. Im a pro detailer, not a scientist who breaks down everything that`s happening until it doesn`t make sense. Im sure there are some who will say "this sounds too aggressive and it might disturb a cloth fiber, so this is a bad idea". Those are the ones who have never cleaned a filthy seat in their life. Real world problems require real world solutions imo.
I actually only meant to quote this part: "The only down side is they will at times shed some of the wool and throw it all over the car."
I found it a little funny because I`ve had wool pads "shed some of the wool" , and it went EVERYWHERE.. I was not questioning anything else about your process - I think it looks like a pretty good idea.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by
dtuna42
I actually only meant to quote this part: "The only down side is they will at times shed some of the wool and throw it all over the car."
I found it a little funny because I`ve had wool pads "shed some of the wool" , and it went EVERYWHERE.. I was not questioning anything else about your process - I think it looks like a pretty good idea.
My apologies. For some reason the quote didnt show up on Tapatalk. Funny how things get misunderstood so easily on these forums sometimes :) Yes, wool will sometimes make a mess. The foamed wool is definitely a cleaner way to go.