Date: Thu, 17 May 2001 18:52:39 -0500 From: "Alex Cagann" Subject: [uuc] detailing-was: leather cleaning I have been detailing cars for years now...and the only way to 'properly' remove all dirt from leather is to use a toothbrush. Larger brushes and sponges and whatever just don't cut it. The toothbrush gets in to every nook and cranny of the leather grain (when you scrub with a toothbrush, you must change directions constantly). Yes, it takes patience and time...but the results are worth it. It pains me to see older BMW's with cracky leather....all they needed to do was keep the dirt out of the leather and keep it conditioned....it will last. Sweat from your hands, your body, your whatever....pull all the nutrients out of leather. When you sweep your car out, pull the seams of your leather apart and get that vacuum in there. Small dirt particles, rocks, etc will eat away at the stitching...keep those seats clean! Your sweat has salt in it...very very bad for leather. I use a locally based professional detail line of products on my leather. It is from Car Brite, and the name is Blue Max. It is incredible. It cleans leather, carpet, all plastic (I still use a toothbrush on all plastic parts because the artificial grains are pretty deep and look great when cleaned properly) and vinyl. I know that Fantastic with a bit of water to dilute is also a good cleaner. Just make sure and rinse the cleaner off with a damp rag and apply your favorite conditioner. Seriously...a toothbrush does wonders. Get sections of the seat wet with solution...like one bolster area...then toothbrush it down, then wipe, then move on. For vinyl...I believe there is no better dressing than lexol vinylex. It is UV protected, not too greasy, and very long lasting. I have used many products and this vinyl dressing is very superior to them all. I also like Lexol leather conditioner. If you just put it on thick, and do nothing else...it will be sort of sticky. However, if you buff it off when it dries, with a dry terry cloth, you can get amazing results...shiny and soft leather. Now, about that carpet....it is not enough to just spray a shampoo on and scub it in. The problem with that is the detergent is left behind. What does that do? Quite simply...it attracts dirt. Everytime you get in the car, the carpet is sitting there with detergent in it waiting to clean the bottom of your shoes off. You must extract the detergent with a steam cleaner (or whatever they call them....the kind that squirts water down and immediately picks it up). If you remove the detergent, you won't be cleaning those carpets so soon. Spray the cleaner on the carpet, then use an upolstery brush to agitate things...then come in with the extractor and pull the detergent and dirt out. This is obviously especially critical with light colored interiors like parchment. Carpet, just like the seams in the leather, will deteriorate much faster if not kept clean. The dirty grit you leave sit in your carpet works its way into the carpet and goes to town. If you keep your interior this clean...it will last and last and last. Besides...you have to sit in the drivers seat and look at the interior every time you drive...it might as well be clean. Alex Cagann 88///M5 AUTO CONSORTIUM http://members.rennlist.com/autoconsortium