Keeping your vehicle’s interior clean makes driving more enjoyable and improves resale value. Chris Hallsey, president of Rebel Innovative, a manufacturer of professional detailing equipment, gives us some tips on the best ways to treat and clean interior surfaces.
McKee’s 37 Interior Surface Protectant
Hallsey warns against using silicone-based products for cleaning leather and vinyl. “The problem is these products leave a greasy residue that attracts dust,” he says. I recommend water-based products such as leather cleaners and conditioners.” Hallsey likes to use McKee’s 37 Interior Surface Protectant: a multi-purpose product that protects vinyl, leather, plastic and rubber by blocking out harmful UV rays.
Fabric upholstery can be difficult to keep clean, although Scotchgarding when the vehicle is new helps to prevent stains. “The key to removing stains is to treat the area as soon as the stain happens, especially on fabrics or carpets,” Hallsey said. “I like to use a Wolfgang product called Spot Eliminator. It’s a water-based polymer that encapsulates the stain and helps to remove it.”
“Always test the product first on an area you can’t see,” he continued. “To remove the stain, spray the stain remover onto a small brush, apply to the stained area and let it dry. Then vacuum up the residue.”
Some car stains can be removed using home ingredients. For example, to remove a coffee stain mix a small amount of ammonia with cold water and blot the stain. Then use a clean cloth to remove the solution. To remove a grease stain, blot the area with a solution of dish soap and water. Let it sit a few minutes and clean with warm water. Then use a solution of water and ammonia to gently scrub the area clean. Remove the solution with cold water.
Wolfgang product called Spot Eliminator
“Most people ignore the car’s headliner, but that’s an area that can collect a lot of dirt,” said Hallsey. “Headliners are tricky because if you get them wet they can come loose. The best way to clean them is to spot treat with a rag using an all-purpose cleaner.” Hallsey uses a Metro Vac (shown at the top of this post) with small attachments designed for computer keyboards to remove dust from vents: another area that is often ignored.
For glass, he recommends avoiding ammonia-based products since these can remove window tinting. “Any automotive glass cleaner is fine,” he says. “Use two different towels, a wet towel to wipe off the glass cleaner and a dry towel to clean up any streaks left behind.”
Getting rid of odors inside the car can be tricky. Sometimes replacing the carbon filter takes care of the problem, but the problem may require a professional detailer. “There’s a difference between masking an odor and getting the odor out,” says Hallsey. “You can get your car washed and the interior smells great, but when the air freshener stops working the odor comes back. For significant problems consult a professional who can use an ozone machine if necessary to take care of the problem.”
See Automotive Interior Cleaners & Protectant for sale on eBay.
