Full Interior Steam Cleaning 2006 Ford Explorer "Grime" Package

[LMAutoDetailing]

Hey guys Brett here with Luxury Mobile Auto Detailing. Posting my first full interior steam cleaning job that I did with my Bissel LittleGreen ProHeat steam cleaner that I recently purchased (pretty much putting it to a good first test) . This vehicle belonged to my neighbor's daughter, I knew going into it I definitely had my work cut out for me as the tragic condition of this interior (before) was well-known among anyone that knew this family. I knew that seat removal was going to be mandatory in order to effectively clean the carpets. I was very pleased with the results I was able to achieve.
My Process:
Thorough Vacuuming/Brushing
Meg's APC (4:1)
Meg's APC+ (4:1)
Bissel LittleGreen ProHeat (filled with 10:1 hot water to APC+)
Meg's Glass Cleaner
Meg's #40 on Dash/All Interior Panels
BEFORES:

SEATS OUT:

VACUUMED:

TEST SPOT FIRST (BEFORE I JUST WENT TO TOWN) I WAS PLEASED WITH WHAT I SAW:

PASSENGER FRONT BEFORE STEAMING:

PASSENGER FRONT AFTER STEAMING:

PASSENGER REAR BEFORE STEAMING:

PASSENGER REAR AFTER STEAMING:

DRIVER FRONT BEFORE STEAMING:

DRIVER FRONT AFTER STEAMING:

A PIC OF DIRTY WATER TANK (BEFORE ONE OF THE SEVERAL TIMES I HAD TO EMPTY IT):

AFTER ALL CARPET STEAM CLEANED AND BRUSHED:

SEATS:
PASSENGER SEAT BEFORE:

PASSENGER SEAT AFTER STEAMING:

DRIVER SEAT BEFORE (I HAD MY DOUBTS ON THIS ONE!!):

DRIVER SEAT AFTER (MEGUIAR'S AMAZES ME AGAIN!!):

BACK SEATS BEFORE:

BACK SEATS AFTER STEAM CLEANING:

FINALS WHILE REINSTALLING THE SEATS (BY NOW IT WAS DARK OUT):

This interior was definitely one of the dirtiest I had come across yet. I got every stain as best I could. Overall about 9 hours went into this job. Hope you liked my work and please comment if you want!

 

[jaymz]

Wow! What a great job! What was all this grime? Looks like someone sprayed the interior with coffee.

How did the Green Machine hold up? Any life left in it? 9 Hrs is a long time. How much did you charge her? Would a bigger steam machine have shortened your time much?

 

[shoeless89]

Great job! Did you wear your bio-hazard mask while doing that car? I did a dirty interior this past weekend and used my BLGM and turned out pretty well. When I can I think I'm gonna drop the money and get a real deal 200+ degree hot water carpet extractor. They work SOOOO much faster and easier. But those are some of the best results I have seen yet from the Bissle!

 

[clintb]

Those pics are exactly the reason I have, and will put, husky liners in every new vehicle. Doesn't help the seats, but I've never had seats look like that anyway.

Great turnaround!

 

[LMAutoDetailing]

Wow! What a great job! What was all this grime? Looks like someone sprayed the interior with coffee.

How did the Green Machine hold up? Any life left in it? 9 Hrs is a long time. How much did you charge her? Would a bigger steam machine have shortened your time much?

Coffee, soda, dirt, dirt, ash, dirt, other unidentifiable substances...The Green Machine held it's own and still works great. Used it on my neighbor's Jeep the other day. The steamer is electric, I don't know if there is also a battery operated model. Yes a better steamer may have shortened the job by a few hours. But a better steamer also costs hundreds $more$. I'll PM you regarding the charge for this job.

Great job! Did you wear your bio-hazard mask while doing that car? I did a dirty interior this past weekend and used my BLGM and turned out pretty well. When I can I think I'm gonna drop the money and get a real deal 200+ degree hot water carpet extractor. They work SOOOO much faster and easier. But those are some of the best results I have seen yet from the Bissle!

Yes I had a Haz Mat suit on We all know the best tools help make the job easier and results even better. It's also nice saving $700-$1000 and achieving great results at the same time! As a developing small business this steamer is perfect for my needs right now. Thank you for your kind words!

Those pics are exactly the reason I have, and will put, husky liners in every new vehicle. Doesn't help the seats, but I've never had seats look like that anyway.

Great turnaround!

Thank you!! Yes vehicle owners can do a lot to protect their interiors (often they do little). Your liners are a good practice.

 

[2kredbb6]

Wow! Unbelievable work there..

Gasoline and a match wouldve been my plan of attack..

 

[Desert Detail & More]

Awesome job!! That was a dirty interior.....

 

[matth9]

Great job on the carpets!
How did the floormats turn out?

 

[LMAutoDetailing]

Wow! Unbelievable work there..

Gasoline and a match wouldve been my plan of attack..

Lol.. I know it would have been a LOT more fun too.
I Appreciate the compliment very much!

Awesome job!! That was a dirty interior.....

I know man shocking what people are capable of isn't it? Thanks for the comment. I'm going to check out more of your work.

Great job on the carpets!
How did the floormats turn out?

The floormats were basically trashed they kept spewing sand out of them no matter how much I vacuumed/brushed and beat them. I suppose I could have tried to pressure wash them out and then see once they were dry, but I told them it was probably time for new ones. They were just endless pits of sand. (maybe this is possible to remedy?)
Thank you!

 

[TurboCobra]

God that thing was nasty! Good job on it man!!

 

[fredcandetail]

Pretty decent turnaround... You should get a spotter like Folex for those dark brown spots that remained.. Good stuff and you can get it at Home Depot... I wasn't a fan of using non detai,ing supplies but tried it idle $6 and it's awesome for stains just like that.
I'm not really a fan of the lines.... Ys they may hide some stains and what not but the next day when the customer gets in they will see it and callnyou back and another wasted trip out ... Might as well just be upfront and let em see it the way they are... My $.02

 

[mpm]

Great turnaround. I use the exact same products as you. I've had similiar outcome with just as nasty vehicles. The Bissel LGM w/heater is a great item for some starting a small business. Mine lasted almost a year before the handle broke. Its my fault it broke as I was applying to much pressure to it. The pump never faultered once and is still working. Having said that I am treating myself to a Mytee unit for Xmas. Its time to upgrade.

 

[vet]

Nice turn around on that nasty interior! What did it smell like, a garbage dump?

I've been pondering the LGM for a while, just might have to put it on my wish list for Christmas if I don't get one before.

 

[kimtyson]

"Grime" Package is an understatement. Nice job! It isn't perfect but what a great improvement.
I agree with Fredcandetail, the Folex probably would have helped you even more. And a good practice is to try more than one product if you have lingering stains\grime. I'm also not a fan of the racing stripes in the carpet but that's personal preference.
I'm not being critical at all. Just trying to help you. Keep up the good work! (And find cleaner neighbors. Yuck.)

 

[dannythekid]

Very nice work! Those Bissel Green machines are pretty solid for the price! I've been trying to justify buying one but don't really do interiors that bad!

 

[LMAutoDetailing]

God that thing was nasty! Good job on it man!!

Thank you very much I appreciate your compliment! It was a bad one.

Pretty decent turnaround... You should get a spotter like Folex for those dark brown spots that remained.. Good stuff and you can get it at Home Depot... I wasn't a fan of using non detai,ing supplies but tried it idle $6 and it's awesome for stains just like that.
I'm not really a fan of the lines.... Ys they may hide some stains and what not but the next day when the customer gets in they will see it and callnyou back and another wasted trip out ... Might as well just be upfront and let em see it the way they are... My $.02

I will definitely look into this Folex product. I don't always put the lines if I just vacuum, but when I'm steam cleaning I will put them. I think it shows professionalism and care, the goal isn't to hide anything. I know that having it darker on lines may mask a stain slightly but I stand behind the work and haven't had any callbacks to complain to date. I appreciate your $.02 and that's mine. Thank you for checking it out!

Great turnaround. I use the exact same products as you. I've had similiar outcome with just as nasty vehicles. The Bissel LGM w/heater is a great item for some starting a small business. Mine lasted almost a year before the handle broke. Its my fault it broke as I was applying to much pressure to it. The pump never faultered once and is still working. Having said that I am treating myself to a Mytee unit for Xmas. Its time to upgrade.

Awesome man. Yeah I try to be very gentle with it and clean it thoroughly after I use it. Gonna have to rock it for now. I've heard amazing stuff about the Mytee :xyxthumbs: Thank you for the comment!

Nice turn around on that nasty interior! What did it smell like, a garbage dump?

I've been pondering the LGM for a while, just might have to put it on my wish list for Christmas if I don't get one before.

Ha thanks for your compliment. It didn't smell the greatest to say the least. Depending on your needs I would reccommend it, it packs a lot of punch for the price.

"Grime" Package is an understatement. Nice job! It isn't perfect but what a great improvement.
I agree with Fredcandetail, the Folex probably would have helped you even more. And a good practice is to try more than one product if you have lingering stainsgrime. I'm also not a fan of the racing stripes in the carpet but that's personal preference.
I'm not being critical at all. Just trying to help you. Keep up the good work! (And find cleaner neighbors. Yuck.)

Yeah man good to hear a 2nd notion on the Folex. I was trying 2 products at the same time APC and APC+, maybe the Folex could have helped me achieve some more results on some of the worse spots.. LOL. My neighbors are clean, this one just let their daughter decimate her car. Them not maintaining their cars = business for me though (on a positive note). As for the stripes yes they are preference and on steam jobs I prefer them. Thank you very much for your compliment.

Very nice work! Those Bissel Green machines are pretty solid for the price! I've been trying to justify buying one but don't really do interiors that bad!

Thank you! Yes they are solid for the $. The nice thing is that if you come across a dirty interior you know you will have the ability to knock out most stains effectively, instead being limited to cleaners and brushing alone.

 

[sserdlihc]

Reminds me of what my Dad use to say...."son, you know what that dog said when he slid across that sand paper butt first?....RUFF!"

 

[asd60303]

nice save! It baffles me how badly people let their cars go.

 

[AeroCleanse]

Nice work.

You didn't use a steamer you used an extractor, fyi.

 

[mjc189]

Wow! Unbelievable work there..

Gasoline and a match wouldve been my plan of attack..

:iagree: with this whole statement!