Interiors – Troubleshooting For New Detailers

Unless you are really experienced, i.e. know what you are doing and understand how the PH scale works, stop using All Purpose Cleaners for interiors.

I am motivated to write this article based on the two camps of individuals who receive questionable feedback on detailing groups.   This includes (what I am about to discuss) but is not limited to dealing with car interiors that are in rough shape.  The two camps of individuals are the car owner who is taking on a daunting task and newer detailer taking on a neglected car.

For many who have shared this message, we received push back on two fronts.  Counter argument 1, ‘you can do an alternative method cheaper and faster.’  For one there is a reason why knowledgeable customers come to me to pay twice as much for an interior detail, or individuals come to me humbled by a terrible disaster from the cheaper detailer.  Counter argument 2, ‘I have done it with no problems.’  You can cross a street without looking for oncoming traffic without consequences, but I would not consider playing proverbial Russian Roulette a good idea.  You may not be aware of the damage you are causing either.  Many customers do not go back to someone they feel uncomfortable with or not trustworthy.

Careful with headliners!  Don’t saturate the headliner with excess liquid or pressure.  Manage your expectations.  Remember those arguments (social media noise) about people putting headliners in extreme conditions to clean them?  Not all headliners are the same, especially when you think about headliner adhesive of a new versus 10 year old car.  Think about it.

You can do a lot of great work with a few brushes, some scrub ninjas (applicators), and some microfiber towels, for applications.  A bottle of Gyeon Fabric for upholstery that I found works on surrounding plastic areas.  For sensitive plastics and screens use quality detailing microfiber towels.  I would tend to avoid or be careful with brushes around these areas.  Brushes can micro-scratch these areas easily as well.

GTechniq Tri-Clean for works most areas and is a good maintenance product.  Gyeon Interior is a good product for glass, navigation screen areas, and surrounding soft plastic areas.  If you have leather in rough shape, use Gyeon Leather Strong.  Read the instructions for all products, seriously.

If your carpets or upholstery are in rough shape or have a variety of stains, I strongly recommend following one of two systems.  The P&S system is one that I have tested and works.  P&S Terminator Enzyme And Stain Remover as step 1, P&S Carpet Bomber as step 2, and P&S Finisher Peroxide Treatment as step 3.  Shine Supply also has an effective system.  Shine Supply SuperSpot, Shine Suppy Fabric Rx, and Shine Supply Carpet Cleaner have complimentary benefits.  See also, my opinion on the P&S Interior system.

When in doubt, spray cleaning products on a applicator towel.  This is not just with respect to the area you are working on but the other areas in vicinity.  This is another reason why I discourage people, especially those starting out from using All Purpose or very strong cleaners.