I just pulled out the back seat from my 56 Oldsmobile & removed the old seat covers that had been on them for decades to find the most amazing original seats. The one picture where it looks pretty good is when I had just wiped them down with a damp terry cloth rag. As you can see when they dried they are still in need of a deep cleaning. I'm afraid to go to aggressive with scrubbing or cleansers in fear of damaging the material. If anyone has a suggestion on the best way to clean these please let me know. The vinyl is easy. I need help with the cloth part.
One way would be to take them to a good detail shop that uses an extractor, which is a hot water vacuum, simillar to Stanley Steamer on carpet. I have one in my shop and it works great. Does'nt hurt the fabric, providing it's in good shape.
I have had luck with LOW pressure dry compressed air. Them a good vacuum. With old material it can be very brittle from age so don't get too aggressive.
The damp Terry cloth probably rubbed the dirt in deeper. You need something that will seep in, clean and lift the dirt, so you can vacuum it up.
You're absolutely right on that. After it dried I realized that I didn't do myself any favors on that. That's why I'm asking before I do the front seats.
There's a cleaner that does what I described, but I can't remember the name. I was hoping someone would have chimed in by now.
I use Mean Green (Dollar General $5.00 a gal) and a home carpet cleaner If you have a bad stain area soak a hand towel or bath towel with the M/G and let it set over night suck the soap and water with carpet cleaner and if you have air gently blow the rest of the water out then soft brush after, works for me! Ps use M/G for many things white walls engine degreaser but don't get it on glass full strength
Carpet machine would be best, you can rent them at lowes, home depot, ace hardware, some grocery stores, I've seen them with small attatchment heads for stairs. A home remedy would be laundry detergent heavily diluted in hot water in a spray bottle, spray in on, let it sit for a few minutes and shop vac it out. I've used this a few times, the laundry detergent isn't too aggressive.
Is Mean Green A cheaper version of Simple Green? Are you using the Mean Green in the carpet cleaner as well as a spot cleaner? I have some Simple Green on hand.
Tuff Stuff makes a lot of products, are you talking about the Tuff Stuff that is that is specifically for upholstery? Thanks for all the advice. The material seems to be in very good shape so I'm sure it can handle a small amount of scrubbing. I think I will start with the dry approach first and get what I can then I'll go rent a carpet cleaner with the upholstery attachment.
Greetings! If I need to clean cloth seats or carpet I yank 'em out and take 'em to the car wash. A few bucks in quarters and everything comes out looking like new. It isn't gentle in the slightest but it works.
yup, pressure wash it. if it's to aggressive then it aint gonna hold up to someone sitting on it anyway.
I spilled red carpenters chalk on the seat of an old Chevy P.U. with a cloth interior and was so pissed I thought I'd puke.I bought an aeorosal can of rug shampoo with an attached brush on the top at Home Depot( where I got the chalk) thinking the seat was junk anyway, so WTF. I was totally amazed, when after two "treatments ", the upholstery went from bright red back to ALMOST gray(original color) so on plain dirt you should be in luck with a fairly simple procedure ( hopefully). Good luck with it. Mike
If you want to go very gentle at first, try basic club soda. The bubbles in the carbonation will loosen and lift the dirt, where you can then vacumn it up after the soda dries or be wet vac'd up. The seats do look good as is.
oh yeah the old soda water trick, my mum used to use that when us kids stained the carpet or wharever.
I have used Tuff Stuff upholstery cleaner for over 30 years. Spray it on, let it soak for a few minutes, blot it up with terrycloth towel. If stains are really bad, you may have to repeat a few times Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Carpet shampooer? If there is cotton, water will ruin it. I use laquer thinner on newer cloth seats. Works excellent. Do not touch the vinyl, it`ll take the color out. First use it on a piece that will be hidden first to see what it will do. Use a white sock and see if it turns dirty or the color of seat you are cleaning. If it turns dirty, proceed.
The Jalopy Journal
