I'm probably insane even trying to clean this interior

S

Scottwax

New member
Update post #42





I get a call from a auto repair shop that got my name from one of my customers. They said they had a PT Cruiser in horrible shape that they needed cleaning and asked me to come by to see if it was something I'd even be interested in and what I'd charge.



I get there and they fill me in on the situation. The PT was owned by a couple drug addicts and they got snagged by an undercover operation. The PT was impounded by the police who then contacted the bank. The cops suggested the bank repo the car because this might be their only chance. Anyway, they drop it off at this repair shop for a couple minor mechanical issues and possible clean-up.



The car is pretty much the filthiest I've ever seen. Stinks inside too. I quoted them $250 minimum with no guarantees figuring they'd pass on it. They didn't. :nervous2:



The outside is going to be a piece of cake, just a wash and one step polish/wax. Doing it on Monday. I want to see what I can do with it.





 
I would say $400 min. for myself. But I hate interiors. Maybe that plays a role in it. FWIW I've charged a similar rate to the one you mentioned on lightly soiled interiors.
 
Holden_C04 said:
I would say $400 min. for myself. But I hate interiors. Maybe that plays a role in it. FWIW I've charged a similar rate to the one you mentioned on lightly soiled interiors.
Click to expand...



I've done some really nasty interiors more quickly than you'd think.



Probably going to use Optimum Power Clean at full strength. I also have a LGCM just sitting around that I rarely use. The seats will need to be extracted for sure.



Outside will just be wash and Meguiars D151-the outside is in excellent shape actually. It is even pretty clean.
 
Your insane Scott!



That is a dirt cheap price you are charging. I would have quoted triple that and still hoping to not get it. But then again, I rarely ever do interiors.
 
rydawg said:
Your insane Scott!



That is a dirt cheap price you are charging. I would have quoted triple that and still hoping to not get it. But then again, I rarely ever do interiors.
Click to expand...



I am looking at this as a challenge. I do interiors all the time anyway. One of my regulars who lurks here says I should post more interior shots after he saw how his daughters RX330 came out.
 
Scott, I know you know what you're doing, but the LGCM won't budge that stuff. I'd remove the seats, soak with PowerClean, scrub with upholstery brush, then pressure wash them. four bolts on each seat with a seatbelt plug on the driver's. The backseat bottom just snaps into place and should have a quick release on each front corner or close. I did a landscapers truck this week and extracting was a waste. After pressure washing, they looked almost new.
 
I agree with Rydawg.



That's easily an all day job, I would have quoted no less then $500.



$250 is way too cheap IMO for a job like that.



Good luck.



Josh
 
JoshVette said:
$250 is way too cheap IMO for a job like that.



Good luck.



Josh
Click to expand...



That is why I told them that is the least amount it would be and to not be suprised if the price goes up once I get it cleaned out.



integritydetail-good idea pressure washing the seats, that would probably save time in the end too.
 
When doing nasty seats like that I often get a lot of "bleeding" after extracting. I follow up with a foaming APC (when completely dry in and out--usually the following day) to reclean the surface and they tend to come out great. You'll have to post pics when finished.



I have yet to try the pressure washing method. Good luck!
 
Scott,



Sometimes you need to walk away from some offers.



That said, please make sure as you start to remove/clean this car, that you wear protective gloves to avoid possible needle stab which could be devistating.



Honestly, I think this would require the entire carpet removed to clean it correctly and to view the sound proofing to see if that too got damaged. At the very least, you'd still have to remove the seats to fully clean it.



I've done some poor car interiors before, but this one wins hands down!



With those, I had to remove all seats, consoles etc to get the carpet out, clean it, re-install it and all the seats/consoles etc installed after cleaning. An Ozone generator is used to remove all the odors in those very dirty or smelly. If I smell the evaporator coil with a mold-like odor, I ask a shop to open that up and clean it, then use the 1Z product to freshen it up.



It took me several days with a full crew to do one car for a dealer looking to recover costs of this car. He paid through the nose to have this done, but once fully completed, everyone was stunned that it was the car previously looking like a garbage scow.



Good luck and please take extra care in personal protection on both hands and resperator. Do you have access to a Level III Hazmat suit?:p



Deanski
 
Scottwax said:
I am looking at this as a challenge. I do interiors all the time anyway. One of my regulars who lurks here says I should post more interior shots after he saw how his daughters RX330 came out.
Click to expand...



Challenges are fun:hifive:



But think about your health buddy.:bigups
 
Scottwax said:
That is why I told them that is the least amount it would be and to not be suprised if the price goes up once I get it cleaned out.



integritydetail-good idea pressure washing the seats, that would probably save time in the end too.
Click to expand...



Plus by taking them out you can get the carpet much better.
 
I don't think you could really consider this detailing. That is like a cross between toxic waste management, and restoration. Good luck to you. This will be an interesting C&B.
 
Just wondering if the car looks like that , what do the owners look like, don't lower yourself, I'm sure u don't need the money.



Got a great idea , get a junkie to do it for a $10 bag.
 
Best of luck to ya Scott, I know you have the ability to do it it's whether you want to tackle something that disgusting. I 2nd the taking out the seats and using a pressure washer on them with a deep cleaning agent at full strength. Looks like your PC with the brush attachment is going to get a full workout on those carpets as well. Definitely picture document this.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top