Description:
Automotive carpets are generally made of synthetic materials, for reasons of
practicality and durability. Polypropylene fibre, the most commonly used will
not absorb water and is therefore highly stain and odor resistant.
For general automotive use it is unsurpassed in wear and
performance.
Trunk interiors do not suffer the same degree of wear, and
lighter weight carpets are generally used, sometimes bonded to a
sound-deadening material. Dash mats can be exposed to a high degree
of sunlight and heat and a UV stabilized marine carpet is more
suited for this purpose.
Carpets for luxury cars tend to have some natural fiber to add
bulk. The English "Wilton," for example, manufactured for Jaguar,
Rolls Royce and Range Rover, is a blend of cotton and wool and
acrylic fibers. The Mercedes, Porsche and BMW carpets have a similar
composition.
Maintenance
Tips & Suggestions: Vacuuming regularly extends the life of carpet by reducing the
abrasion of dirt particles and tearing which occurs when fibers are
snagged on debris. Shampooing with a dry foam application is the
most appropriate form of cleaning. For polypropylene, white spirits
are a good general purpose stain remover, but always test first on a
concealed portion of the carpet to insure colorfastness.
Treating
Spills: When spills occur, prompt treatment is critical. For problem
area, use the following guide, beginning with the mildest treatment
and progressing further if necessary. Do not use ketones, petroleum
or aromatic solvents.
|
Stain |
Treatment |
Procedures |
| Coffee, Fruit Juice, Glue, Milk, Mud,
Plaster, Syrup |
A |
A. Dissolve detergent in warm water.
Work from outside of the stain to the center. Rinse with clean
water. |
| Ballpoint Pen, Crayon, Polish,
Lipstick, Motor Oil |
B, C |
B. Apply a small
amount of paint or grease remover. Work from outside of stain
and blot with tissues. |
| Cooking Oils and Fats, Alcohol,
Soups, Permanent Ink, Paint |
B, C, A |
C. Apply dry
cleaning solvent and blot. |
| Blood, Wine, Fruit |
B, C, A, D |
D. Apply a small
quantity of ammonia, work from outside the stain. Rinse and
blot. |
| Chewing Gum |
E |
E. Freeze with ice
cubes or gum freeze spray, break up and vacuum. |
| Urine, Vomit |
A, D |
|
When and How
to Replace Carpet: Torn seats, worn carpeting, faded dashboard finishes and
cigarette burns decrease the value of a vehicle and contribute
to a less-than-pleasant atmosphere for the driver. Trim
and upholstery shops specialize in repairing and enhancing the
interior, and certain exterior features of cars, trucks, sport
utility vehicles, vans, RVs, boats - even aircraft. These shops
can repair or recover leather, cloth and vinyl seats; replace and
upgrade worn or soiled carpeting; replace torn or falling headliners
(ceiling fabric); and repair, replace or install convertible tops
and sunroofs.
To locate a quality trim shop, look in the
yellow pages under headings such as: "auto upholstery repair," "seat covers," or
"convertible auto tops" to find a shop in your area.
The same key words can be used to find shops using
Internet search engines.
Once you have located a few shops, use these tips to select the
right one for you:
- Explain the problem. Tell the shop the
type of vehicle you have and what the problem is. A good shop
should be able to clearly explain the options available to fix
your vehicle or the upgrades that may enhance its value.
- Don't be afraid to ask questions. You can
never ask too many questions, and a good trim shop is trained to
help you fully understand your interior maintenance needs.
- Obtain a written estimate of the work to
be performed. The estimate should include parts, cost of parts,
cost of labor and an expected delivery date. Many people are
surprised at the affordable cost when balanced against the value
the repair or upgrade has added to the vehicle.
- To protect your investment, make sure the
shop is insured.
- Does the shop have a warranty program?
You can be confident in the service you receive from a business
that is willing to warranty both parts and labor.
- Ask to see examples of past work
completed. A good trim shop will have a photo book that includes
different types of services performed and the results, which are
often spectacular.
- Visit the facility. A clean, well-run shop will bolster your
confidence that the trim shop you have chosen can do the work
specified.
Trim and upholstery work also lets individuals customize their
cars, to reflect their own personal tastes. For example a customer
with cloth seats may choose to upgrade to leather, or he or she can
change the whole color scheme of the vehicle's interior from red to
silver. Research by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association
in Bethesda, Md. shows that a vehicle with highly visible signs of
wear – like torn upholstery, worn carpeting, cigarette burns, and
damaged headliners – is worth hundreds of dollars less in resale
value. A clean, well-maintained vehicle is worth much more than an
identical one that's been neglected. Besides, a car that looks
good feels good.
