Much needed attention

[Chevy1925]

Over the past week and this weekend, I've been giving the Limo some much needed love.

First I grabbed some leather conditioner and cleaner, a tooth brush, and me clean magic erasers and gave all the plastic and leather a thorough cleaning/conditioning. That was not a quick process as the leather is older so there are lots of crevasses to get dirt out of (hence the tooth brush). What a world of difference that made though. In the pic, the left is clean, the right is dirty

Then gave her a bath, clay bared the whole truck, and waxed it. Took two days of after work time to do all that (swirls and a black cc/lb truck make for lots of work)

Then today I pulled all the interior out, cleaned all the mounts and spots I couldn't get while the interior was in place and also steam cleaned the carpets cause after 13 years, floor mats don't catch everything lol

As you can see, many a soda stain and crap under those seats

After the first 2 passes over the carpet. Pulled 90% of the grime out

Also swapped my steering wheel with one I bought a long while back that isn't pealing the leather off. Interior is pretty much done, just need new floor mats to finish her off

This week, the goal is to polish up the wheels and other little billet pieces that need polishing and detail the engine bay. Now that she has her own home in the garage and I usually drive my samurai, I'm retiring her from all the hard off road beatings, mudding, and other crap I use to put her through. She's earned her time to get all cleaned up, enjoy cruises and tow only from now on.

 

[BowtieClub]

Big difference! The leather looks like its softer, not just cleaner.

BTW, beautiful truck James!

 

[JoshH]

You have a garage big enough to fit that beast? I'm jealous. The truck is looking good. You can fly out to Texas and detail mine next.

 

[Chevy1925]

Big difference! The leather looks like its softer, not just cleaner.

BTW, beautiful truck James!

It is! It actually started to swell out some and take up the crevasses as well! And thank you, she's been my pride and joy for the last 8 years

You have a garage big enough to fit that beast? I'm jealous. The truck is looking good. You can fly out to Texas and detail mine next.

Yup! Lol I have to back into my work space area and raised the garage opening 2.5" but she fits with 6-8" in the front and 4-6" at the back. No way, this big bitch is killing me enough as it is!

 

[Potthoffdmax]

:thumb:

 

[TexasRob]

Man I steam cleaned my cloth seats a couple weaks ago. Its amazing how nasty vehicles get inside. Your lucky that only your floors are cloth.

 

[yellowchevy]

Man I steam cleaned my cloth seats a couple weaks ago. Its amazing how nasty vehicles get inside. Your lucky that only your floors are cloth.

What did you use to steam clean you're interior?
I really need to do mine.

Looks really good James.:thumb: That made big difference doing those seats.

I plan on removing my seats and pulling the carpet out so I can put dynomat on the whole floor and as far up the sides as I can. Then reinstall everything once it's been cleaned.

Yellowchevy

 

[bigmackmiller]

:thumb: Looks good, takes a lot of work to clean trucks this size but its worth it!

 

[TexasRob]

What did you use to steam clean you're interior?
I really need to do mine.

Looks really good James.:thumb: That made big difference doing those seats.

I plan on removing my seats and pulling the carpet out so I can put dynomat on the whole floor and as far up the sides as I can. Then reinstall everything once it's been cleaned.

Yellowchevy

I have the bissel lift off. I don't know if I would call it steam cleaning, but it works really well. I just sprayed the pretreatment let it sit for 15 min and used the bissel. The seats felt 100% different. wouldn't say brand new but its worth the time. I spent about 150 on the bissel at lowes. I have 3 kids so it has paid for itself already.

 

[TexasRob]

got ahead of myself when I said steam clean sorry meant hot water vacuum

 

[minerigger]

Gonna have to do this after the snow quits here...I sure wish I had a garage to do anything in...apartment parking lots suck

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk

 

[Chevy1925]

Steam clean, hot water clean, same difference lol. Yeah I used a Hoover I borrowed from my parents. Has a nice scrubber/vac head attachment for doing cars. I didn't mix any concentrate into the machine though so I could use the water to help delute where I sprayed the concentrate with a bottle and pull it all up. Helps keep the soap out of the carpet and stay cleaner longer

 

[durallymax]

Steam clean, hot water clean, same difference lol. Yeah I used a Hoover I borrowed from my parents. Has a nice scrubber/vac head attachment for doing cars. I didn't mix any concentrate into the machine though so I could use the water to help delute where I sprayed the concentrate with a bottle and pull it all up. Helps keep the soap out of the carpet and stay cleaner longer

Actually a huge difference when it comes to detailing but I try not to be a snob like many people in the detail world.

Interior steam cleaning uses true hot steam to help lift dust, stains, and other contaminants from dashboards, carpets, upholstery, even the exterior of the car if you want. The steam simply loosens it, you wipe it up with an MF.

The reason I say interior above is because there are true steam cleaners for industrial cleaning as well. These you would not want anywhere near your cars interior. They work great for removing grease and grime from equipment though. Many people will sometimes call a hot water pressure washer a steam cleaner as well which is not correct but for whatever reason has made its way into the system. Just like people who call excavators Backhoes even if they are a trackhoe and not a backhoe.

Hot water extractors spray hot hot water with or without solution and then suck it back up. The water grabs much more dirt than could be gotten otherwise with just a vaccum. You obviously would not want to use one of these on your dashboard though but they are better for heavier soiled areas like carpets and seats.




Anyways, that thing looks nice. What do you use for the leather? I use Leatherique, smells like Brandy and takes a couple days in the heat to really work but it works wonders compared to anything else I have tried and actually leaves a satin smooth finish, no greasy oily type look or feeling which is tough to do on the older cheaper GM leather seats.


Did you buff the paint or just hand wax?


I am jealous of your weather, i'm starting to get the summer time detailing itch again but the weather doesn't want to cooperate. Sure I have a shop to do it in, but its not the same when its a hobby versus a job, has to be fun and to me polishing when it cold out is counterproductive because it usually means theres crappy roads and nobody will see the hard work.

 

[duramax hd]

James you did a great job. Truck looks awesome after getting some well deserved cleaning! Im going to let the cat out of the bag on my latest favorite detailing cleaner(Which isnt even an automotive cleaner). I cant say I discovered this and I have no idea how long people have been doing this either but after spending thousands of dollars in detailing supplies this is my new go-to for interiors. Murphys oil soap. Any hardware store and most grocery stores will have it. It does an amazing job. My buddy who told me about this is going to read this and laugh because I made a lot of fun at him putting wood floor cleaner on his leather and dash but when he finally convinced me to try it, I was shocked. Just a little bucket of hot water with a splash of murphys and a MF towel and go to town on the whole interior. I use a little sponged with a rough side for real dirty interiors. I've used it all...literally. Letherique, meguires, mothers,lexol. No magic eraser needed unless its real bad. The stuff works and smells good too. If you guys try it, curious to hear what you think

 

[Dozerboy]

Great job looks like a new truck again and I bet it smells a lot better too.

I need to pull the seats out of mine. After 7 years of construction sites it smells like dirt every time I get into it it. Even though I'm a clean freak and it got clean pretty regularly.

Woolite does a a good job of cleaning leather and carpet too.

 

[Chevy1925]

Actually a huge difference when it comes to detailing but I try not to be a snob like many people in the detail world.

Interior steam cleaning uses true hot steam to help lift dust, stains, and other contaminants from dashboards, carpets, upholstery, even the exterior of the car if you want. The steam simply loosens it, you wipe it up with an MF.

The reason I say interior above is because there are true steam cleaners for industrial cleaning as well. These you would not want anywhere near your cars interior. They work great for removing grease and grime from equipment though. Many people will sometimes call a hot water pressure washer a steam cleaner as well which is not correct but for whatever reason has made its way into the system. Just like people who call excavators Backhoes even if they are a trackhoe and not a backhoe.

Hot water extractors spray hot hot water with or without solution and then suck it back up. The water grabs much more dirt than could be gotten otherwise with just a vaccum. You obviously would not want to use one of these on your dashboard though but they are better for heavier soiled areas like carpets and seats.




Anyways, that thing looks nice. What do you use for the leather? I use Leatherique, smells like Brandy and takes a couple days in the heat to really work but it works wonders compared to anything else I have tried and actually leaves a satin smooth finish, no greasy oily type look or feeling which is tough to do on the older cheaper GM leather seats.


Did you buff the paint or just hand wax?


I am jealous of your weather, i'm starting to get the summer time detailing itch again but the weather doesn't want to cooperate. Sure I have a shop to do it in, but its not the same when its a hobby versus a job, has to be fun and to me polishing when it cold out is counterproductive because it usually means theres crappy roads and nobody will see the hard work.

i know there is a difference, i figured it might get your goat Vinny

I used some Blue Magic that was on sale at o'reilys. i didnt think it would do all that good but after finishing both seats and wiping down the back ones with it, it really brought out the nice leather smell i love and does just like the stuff you used. Satin finish ( you can see in the pic) and no oily mess.

No buffing for me, just clay bar then hand wax. No machine and honestly, ive never had or seen a buff job that didnt leave swirl marks in black paint and that drives me nuts. i wouldnt doubt if done right it wont leave swirls or there is another step i dont know about but id need to learn first hand from someone whos done it and does it right before id try. My truck really needs a paint job. you guys cant see it in the pics i take due to where the lighting is but its rock chipped to high hell on the rockers and needs a color sand. within this year or next, she will be getting a nice respray.

James you did a great job. Truck looks awesome after getting some well deserved cleaning! Im going to let the cat out of the bag on my latest favorite detailing cleaner(Which isnt even an automotive cleaner). I cant say I discovered this and I have no idea how long people have been doing this either but after spending thousands of dollars in detailing supplies this is my new go-to for interiors. Murphys oil soap. Any hardware store and most grocery stores will have it. It does an amazing job. My buddy who told me about this is going to read this and laugh because I made a lot of fun at him putting wood floor cleaner on his leather and dash but when he finally convinced me to try it, I was shocked. Just a little bucket of hot water with a splash of murphys and a MF towel and go to town on the whole interior. I use a little sponged with a rough side for real dirty interiors. I've used it all...literally. Letherique, meguires, mothers,lexol. No magic eraser needed unless its real bad. The stuff works and smells good too. If you guys try it, curious to hear what you think

Thanks Kris! if i dont wind up getting Katskins before the next time i clean the seats, ill definitly try that out!

Great job looks like a new truck again and I bet it smells a lot better too.

I need to pull the seats out of mine. After 7 years of construction sites it smells like dirt every time I get into it it. Even though I'm a clean freak and it got clean pretty regularly.

Woolite does a a good job of cleaning leather and carpet too.

it never really smelt bad before but it never smelt clean either. When i hoped in it this morning, it just smelt like a new truck. i was quite :happy2: