2007 Sonata **Not for the faint of heart**

[Labster]

ewind about three weeks ago and I get a phone call from a Texas number asking me if they have the correct number, is this Jake with Mirror Image Detailing? I'm still a little confused, wondering how I'm getting a call from someone in Texas about detailing but hey, it's the cell phone age and I have friends who have lived in Florida for 6 years and never changed their Ohio numbers. Turns out that Scott had given the gentleman a referral and he was taking care of his brother's estate who had just recently suffered a stroke and his lease on his 2007 Sonata was due to be returned and was in need of a cleanup. Key word "clean up". I said no problem and where the car was happened to be within my area of service. After playing phone tag for a few days with a neighbor who was helping coordinate the detail because his brother had to return to Texas we settled on a day. I have to say that I'm really happy that I kept a dust mask and my nitrile gloves in my kit from a previous job.

Here is what awaited me:

Notice the little brown dots? Those would be mouse droppings. The car had been sitting in the owners drive way for 3 months without being used and mice had found their way in. More on that later.

Yep, and here's what they were eating

Seat staining anyone?

The Paint wasn't in any better shape

Some leaves, no big deal...

Then again maybe I was wrong...

Coffee staining anyone?

These befores were after 2 full bags of trash were removed from the car.

This detail was a first for Mirror Image, I had to use my shop vac to remove a bulk of the leaves from the drain channels in the trunk and under the hood. WOW!

After vacuuming out said leaves

After Power Clean, various brushes and my misc MF towels topped with Poorboys Trim Restorer

 

[Labster]

On to the Afters

Nothing all intensive for the paint. This was a lease return so making it look good yet still saying within budget (most of it being used on the interior) was a priority. So I went with Optimum Poliseal and got really good results.

Time for the big afters. Once again because of the mouse droppings the odor inside this car was ridiculous. Very musty, and a dust mask was a must!

These stains were a bit too much. Who knows how long they've been there. Definite improvement but not 100% unfortunately.

The owner also drove his dog around quite a bit and the filter on my shop vac needed a definite cleaning after this job!

Not bad for 5.5 hrs aye?

 

[shineshine]

wow! not bad at all.. terrific job there :xyxthumbs:

 

[Jumpingbean]

Great googily moogily! That car was thrashed. How could someone actually get into that car and drive it. Talk about disgusting. Great job. That's a big turn around.

 

[Pie]

I don't know how people drive around a car with an interior that dirty, I rather walk.

Anyways, fantastic job!!

 

[rwisejr]

Wow that was trashed. Good save .

 

[detailguy71]

This is the true sign of a a pro. You turned what was a AWFUL interior into something very presentable. Great work

 

[g35_coupe]

I don't see how you can not notice the faintest smell of rodents INSIDE of your vehicle and not take corrective action immediately. I don't see who would want to test drive that thing after it's turned in from the lease. It might look shiny and clean but once they pop the door open, the stench will hit them with a jab/hook combo.

 

[Labster]

Thanks guys.

 

[ToySupra727]

Good work!

I wonder what the cabin filter looks like?

 

[Bullitt AK]

what did you do to clean the upholstery?

you didnt extract the carpet did you?

 

[Meghan]

That is amazing that someone let their vehicle get that dirty, can you imagine what their house looks like. I hope you were paid accordingly, because that was no simple "detail"!

 

[AeroCleanse]

Not the worst interior I've seen (unfortunately). Good start on the clean up, just have to get those seats clean.

 

[Labster]

Not the worst interior I've seen (unfortunately). Good start on the clean up, just have to get those seats clean.

They were still damp.

 

[Labster]

what did you do to clean the upholstery?

you didnt extract the carpet did you?

Extracted with a shop vac. Used Optimum Power Clean diluted 5:1 and brush attachment on the PC.