Interior Detailing Questions

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Chevyguy95

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Morning/Afternoon/Evening folks,

I have always been fond of doing paint corrections and making the outside of a car look gorgeous, but it's time that I move to the part where people see most of the time. I'm looking for opinions of what people use and methods to shampoo carpets and cleaning interiors all together. I have a 20 Gal compressor (thinking of buying tornador cleaning gun? Tips?) in my garage that my dad said I can use (after all I'm only 21 and that would be a hefty investment). I also have a DA so I don't have to hand scrub everything with a brush and then finish with tornador Any tips/wisdom/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks chaps.
 
I use steamer tornador cleaning gun /carpet extractor and brushes and tools
 
Hi Chevyguy, welcome to Autogeek. Be sure to visit the Auto Detailing Facts, auto detailing Tips, How to detailing Guides, how to polish, how to wax, DIY detailing, do it yourself guides section. There are lots of videos and articles.
Secondly there is quite a bit of detail you left out. Pictures will always help before we start rattling off products, tools, chemicals and techniques.

1.) What type of car is it? SUV, Car, Truck, Mini-Van, SUV/SAV, Jeep?
2.) What do you use the vehicle for? Daily Driving, Show, off-roading?
3.) What materials comprise the interior? Plastic, Vinyl, Leather, Cloth, Alcanatar?
4.) What is the condition of the interior as it sits?
5.) What are your expectations? Like new? Reconditioned? Just a spritz (if already in decent shape...)

Aside from all that Sonax, Pinnacle, McKee's, Meguiar's, all make some great products for the interior. From Leather cleaners, glass cleaner, to all purpose cleaners, to standard carpet and upholstery cleaners.

As far as tools, if your on a budget sometimes just pairing the proper chemical to the proper brush, terry towel or mf towel will get most interiors looking decent.
I have the Tornador and love it, but we take in all kinds of interiors from really trashed to some that really just need a proper tamping and wipe down with the proper products.

If you have some stubborn carpet and matt stains, you can use the Aqua Soft Carpet Brush with your DA. Pretreat the carpet with a good upholstery cleaner and follow the directions.

Hope all this helps.
 
I generally like to take my pressure washer and spray the entire interior at 3,000 PSI, followed up by a wet/dry vacuum emptied a dozen or so times.

Joking aside (please don't try the above)....

It seems you are primarily asking about Carpet/Upholstery.

One of the most important steps I emphasize is to test all chemicals and techniques in a hidden/inconspicuous spot on each and every vehicle.

Meguiar's D101 APC at 10:1 is my go to chemical, and a few times (I can think of 3) I had to use Meguiar's APC 4:1

Meguiar’s All Purpose Cleaner Concentrate, 1 Gallon, works on carpet, fabric, vinyl, and leather for all-over interior cleaning.

I use an assortment of stiff and gentle bristled brushes in various sizes and shapes. This kit appears to have about everything you would need in it Ultimate Interior Detailing Brush Kit. I emphasize Need, not want.

For really dirty carpet/seats I like to spray, scrub and extract using a hot water extractor filled with nothing but clean water. However on lightly soiled or maintenance cleaning I skip the extractor and just blot dry using plush 100% cotton terry cloth towels or old waffle weave drying towels no longer suitable for the paint. This is followed by a very good vacuuming.

After a good cleaning I like to treat with a protectant.

Depending on how many and often you will be doing interior detailing would be my deciding factor on what tool/s to get. If it is only occasionally I would go for the tornador, however if it is more than 1 car a week, skip the tornador and save for an extractor. There is a frequent pro on these forums that reports using a Bissell spotter with great success.
 
Chevyguy95 said:
Morning/Afternoon/Evening folks,

I have always been fond of doing paint corrections and making the outside of a car look gorgeous, but it's time that I move to the part where people see most of the time. I'm looking for opinions of what people use and methods to shampoo carpets and cleaning interiors all together. I have a 20 Gal compressor (thinking of buying tornador cleaning gun? Tips?) in my garage that my dad said I can use (after all I'm only 21 and that would be a hefty investment). I also have a DA so I don't have to hand scrub everything with a brush and then finish with tornador Any tips/wisdom/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks chaps.
Click to expand...
Using those methods will cause a lot of splatter everywhere causing more work for yourself.I personally would not use a da on leather.Tornador is your call but I think you can do without it.Save up for a nice carpet extractor that's basically tool wise you will need.Some crevice brushes and a good apc or dedicated leather cleaner is all you need.
 
Chevyguy95 said:
Morning/Afternoon/Evening folks,

I have always been fond of doing paint corrections and making the outside of a car look gorgeous, but it's time that I move to the part where people see most of the time. I'm looking for opinions of what people use and methods to shampoo carpets and cleaning interiors all together. I have a 20 Gal compressor (thinking of buying tornador cleaning gun? Tips?) in my garage that my dad said I can use (after all I'm only 21 and that would be a hefty investment). I also have a DA so I don't have to hand scrub everything with a brush and then finish with tornador Any tips/wisdom/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks chaps.
Click to expand...

Interior detailing can be very profitable, especially with ladies and large families. A few tools i literally use every single detail:

- steamer: Makes quick work of breaking down and cleaning cupholders, door pockets, around seat rails, floor mats, etc. Current steamer is a 2 year old McCullough 1275. Works the same as the day I purchased. I use ONR at rinseless dilution in it. Its perfect for nasty leather as well. You just be very careful with how close you get to surfaces and electrical. And of course, its great for steaming fabric seats.

- Carpet brushes for your DA: Scrub floor mats/carpets with brush to loosen dirt, thoroughly vacuum, pre-spray with your cleaner of choice, go to town with DA brush.

- Proper lighting: Many often overlook this. I have one of the large bars thats meant for underhood, but hangs across roof. Being able to see every nook and cranny ensures a squeaky clean interior. It also helps with seeing streaking on windows. Which leads me to my next suggestion...

- Window towels: Every single person likes squeaky clean and streak free windows. There are specialty towels that work well for this. I do not know if Autogeek sells them.

- Shop vac: Don`t skimp and buy a stupid cheap one. You`ll use this piece of equipment more than any other. Clean it out often and change the filter often.

- Insurance!: Accidents happen. Be covered when they do.

As for scents....many people like to spray scents after cleaning. I am iffy on this subject. I have the Chemical Guys New Car and Leather scents. I will basically use a few spritzes of the new car after cleaning super nasty cloth interior. Same for the leather after a super nasty leather interior. Otherwise, I have Dr. Beasley`s Neutra Scent that I finish up each detail with by using a few spritzes. I prefer "clean" scent.

Oh......door jambs!!! Squeaky clean door jambs set you apart!!!
 
CarolinasFinestDetailing said:
- steamer: Makes quick work of breaking down and cleaning cupholders, door pockets, around seat rails, floor mats, etc. Current steamer is a 2 year old McCullough 1275. Works the same as the day I purchased. I use ONR at rinseless dilution in it. Its perfect for nasty leather as well. You just be very careful with how close you get to surfaces and electrical. And of course, its great for steaming fabric seats.

- Shop vac: Don`t skimp and buy a stupid cheap one. You`ll use this piece of equipment more than any other. Clean it out often and change the filter often.
Click to expand...

Are you saying you fill your McCulloch 1275 with ONR instead of distilled water and it works great and doesn't cause it to have any problems? Is there any special required maintenance that you do to it afterwards?

Which vacuum do you use?



Sent from my iPhone
 
Eldorado2k said:
Are you saying you fill your McCulloch 1275 with ONR instead of distilled water and it works great and doesn't cause it to have any problems? Is there any special required maintenance that you do to it afterwards?

Which vacuum do you use?



Sent from my iPhone
Click to expand...

ONR at rinseless dilution....yes. In essence...1/2 oz per gallon of water. I have a 3M inline filter like you can buy at Home Depot that I run water through for chemicals and making rinseless.

I have never really maintained my McCullough honestly except for always ensuring that its empty when putting away.


I have a good Dewalt unit. Its small, and literally sucks! (pun intended)
 
How does the 14 gallon 6hp. Ridgid compare to that Dewalt vac? Are they close? Or does the dewalt suck much greater?
 
Chevyguy95 said:
Morning/Afternoon/Evening folks,

I have always been fond of doing paint corrections and making the outside of a car look gorgeous, but it's time that I move to the part where people see most of the time. I'm looking for opinions of what people use and methods to shampoo carpets and cleaning interiors all together. I have a 20 Gal compressor (thinking of buying tornador cleaning gun? Tips?) in my garage that my dad said I can use (after all I'm only 21 and that would be a hefty investment). I also have a DA so I don't have to hand scrub everything with a brush and then finish with tornador Any tips/wisdom/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks chaps.
Click to expand...

I detail a ton of interiors and most are just plain nasty. I do use a Tornador but not on every detail. Now my carpet extractor, that thing is running all darn day at my shop and couldn't even think about doing my job without it. I also have every single type of brush for my DA and rotary, barely even use them except on minivans. What I did invest in a long time ago was quality carpet & upholstery cleaners/spotters by companies that specialize in just carpet cleaning chems.
 
Fast Eddie said:
I detail a ton of interiors and most are just plain nasty. I do use a Tornador but not on every detail. Now my carpet extractor, that thing is running all darn day at my shop and couldn't even think about doing my job without it. I also have every single type of brush for my DA and rotary, barely even use them except on minivans. What I did invest in a long time ago was quality carpet & upholstery cleaners/spotters by companies that specialize in just carpet cleaning chems.
Click to expand...
I to get my inventory from carpet cleaning trade supply store.
 
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