This may seem like one of those simple things, but getting the results you want when you clean something, all depends on the products and technique.
What you will need:
I used to detail cars back in College for a high end dealership. With all of the chemicals out there, nothing I have found beats "Resolve Spot & Stain" remover for carpets. This stuff will get out just about anything!
The carpet in the trunk, is all man made material. Nylon/Polyester fibers ect. It would take a LOT to damage and permanently stain the carpet. About the only thing I could think of that would be permanent is paint. With this in mind, it's just a matter of dissolving and getting rid of any dirt/grease/rust stains ect.
First, of course, remove the carpet, lay it out somewhere, and spray it generously with the Resolve. Let it sit for about 10 minutes, and then take a small scrub brush, with medium stiffness bristles. Too soft will not do much, and really hard bristles will not be easy to scrub the carpet well at all.
If you have any really bad stains, saturate them really well with the resolve, and work the area good with the brush.
When you have scrubbed all of the stains well, and a general brushing of the rest of the carpet. Rinse it off well. I HIGHLY recommend the "Ultimate Nozzles" that you can pick up at home depot. It is very surprising just how much pressure these put out! It is literally your own personal fire hose, even with just average water pressure. Well worth the $20 premium price for it in my book!
Spray the jet into the carpet well, a nice strong jet does best to get down deep to get all the loosened grime out. When you have rinsed it well, you may have noticed that some of the rust stains have not come completely out. This most likely is from tools left in the trunk Now use the CLR to saturate those areas well. I found it best to use the CLR full strength, in a spray bottle, and spray the area's well. Let CLR sit for about 5 minutes to dissolve the rust stains, and then scrub good with the brush. After a bit of scrubbing, you will see the rust stains start to disappear. You can then let it sit for a few more minutes to devolve any remaining rust stains. Now it is time for the final rinse. The carpet should look like, or close to, the day it was installed.
Of course, if there are severely stained area's, you will probably not get that completely out, but you can go a second round with the resolve and scrub brush to try.
When I did my carpet, I found a couple of spots that I missed, (It's surprising how, after the carpet looks so good, even the smallest stain will catch your eye ) I just hit them again with the resolve / CLR /brush, and rinsed it out again.
EDIT: In a post on the 2nd page of this thread, Fierobsessed said that he found a way to get out a very tough stain that was just not coming out. He said he used Carb Cleaner, wearing gloves, and was able to get that final stain out.
On a final note, if you have never washed the trunk carpeting, you are in for a bit of a surprise. The carpet drys REALLY fast! It is dry on the surface to the touch in just a couple of minutes! To dry it out thoroughly, just hang it over something. In my case, the gas BBQ grill served the purpose Hahah.
Unfortunately, I did not get a good picture of the carpet in my car before I cleaned it, but it was REALLY bad..... You can just see a portion of it here, with some rust stains, and grease/dirt in the corners. The bottom was just covered in grease and rust stains.
(Note: This the the day I got the car home on the flat bed, and opened the hood. NOT my doing, the engine has since been replaced, as well as the Tom Sawyer inspired intake )
This is the carpet, after cleaning it, as described above. It really does look brand new!
If you found this tutorial useful, please feel free to Click "Rate This Member" to the left... Thanks
Legal mumbo jumbo: Follow the safe handling instructions on the cleaners. Wearing eye protection would not be a bad idea with the brush kicking up the chemicals and all.
Thanks! This'll come in handy! I imagine this same method can be used on the interior carpet?
Plus for you.
You sure can, Resolve is good on just about any carpeting and fabric. I would however be a little more gentle with the brush, even go with a softer bristle one. You do not want to "fuzz up" the Berber carpet.
[This message has been edited by JohnWPB (edited 01-15-2011).]
You sure can, Resolve is goon on just about any carpeting and fabric. I would however be a little more gentle with the brush, even go with a softer bristle one. You do not want to "fuzz up" the Berber carpet.
I've been waiting for a nice day (thinking - above 40) so that I could clean my carpets... This'll help me out a lot.
Good tips, I have some spilled oil and other nasty stuff I'm currently letting some cat litter soak up in my trunk, and will be trying this out once I get all that vacuumed out
I updated the first post with the PFF Image uploader, as someone reported seeing the dreaded red X's. I don't know how, as I just saved the images in the first post, and then used the PFF uploader to post them back.
Awesome info! I can't wait for the snow and cold to let up for a day so I can revive my carpets! Will this technique work well for the interior carpets as well?
Awesome info! I can't wait for the snow and cold to let up for a day so I can revive my carpets! Will this technique work well for the interior carpets as well?
As mentioned about 3 posts up:
quote
Originally posted by JohnWPB: You sure can, Resolve is good on just about any carpeting and fabric. I would however be a little more gentle with the brush, even go with a softer bristle one. You do not want to "fuzz up" the Berber carpet.
[This message has been edited by JohnWPB (edited 01-15-2011).]
My carpet was not very dirty but now looks showroom new by following your tips. Any other detailing ideas you have? What is the best way to get rid of water spots? We have very hard water here.
We used to use a mild acid solution to get rid of water spots. You have to be VERY careful though, as it is corrosive, and can ruin certain finished metals like some rims and such. Scrubbing Bubbles brand cleaner can also work WONDERS! I use it on just about everything. Spray it on glass, with a green scrubbie pad and the glass will look new again, removing ALL water spots from acid rain and hard water ect. It can also, don't ask me how, remove surface rust (mild rust) from Chrome.
I know you mentioned this would be just fine for interior carpet. But if there aren't any rust stains on the carpet, would spraying CLR on it help anymore than the Resolve?
CLR is not gonna do much, other than on rust stains really. It there are no rust spots, then just resolve will work well. It is best to apply it to dry carpet, so it is not diluted. Spray stains and such well, and mist the rest of the carpet. When you start to scrub it, you can have a bucket of water and dip the brush in it and then use it on the carpet. This will add some water to the resolve, and foam up nicely.
One last thing, rinse, rinse, rinse If you have any residue left in the carpet, it will still look great, but will attract dirt easier. I personally when doing interior carpet will scrub, then shop-vac the carpet. I will then pour water on the carpet, (Don't flood it out or anything ) and shop-vac some more. Repeat quite a few times to flush out the carpet well. leave the windows down in the sun and let the carpets dry thoroughly.
If at all possible, take the time to remove the interior carpet. It will be easier to dry, and will come out even better by jetting it with the hose to rinse it all out after you have worked the resolve in well.
We used to use a mild acid solution to get rid of water spots. You have to be VERY careful though, as it is corrosive, and can ruin certain finished metals like some rims and such. Scrubbing Bubbles brand cleaner can also work WONDERS! I use it on just about everything. Spray it on glass, with a green scrubbie pad and the glass will look new again, removing ALL water spots from acid rain and hard water ect. It can also, don't ask me how, remove surface rust (mild rust) from Chrome.
John,
A + for you my friend. Just used the Scrubing Bubbles on the wife's Grand Prix chrome rim. Bad rust from failing brake pad. I was afraid we were looking at a replacement rim. You got to understand my wife. A definate marriage saver.
With many THANKS,
Jeff
[This message has been edited by GTGeff (edited 04-10-2011).]
I have used dawn dish soap for the dirty oil someone had left in the trunk ( don't have any idea why they would do that ) and it took a lot out. I still need to us resolve on mine. Nice trick with the scrubbing bobbles. I used it on my steelies and it cleaned them right up, along with taking off the grime on the inside. Not even Eagle1 rim/wheel cleaner would work.
------------------ 1984 White Fiero Sport Coupe (Juliet) in restoration https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum1/HTML/089093.html 1988 Red Fiero Standard Coupe (Bella) in restoration 1990 Black Buick Reatta (Noir) 2002 White Chevy Impala base(Haylie)
[This message has been edited by 1984whitesc (edited 08-08-2012).]
Good to hear! Scrubbing Bubbles, although meant as a bathroom cleaner, works amazingly on just about everything for the car. Glass, plastic, aluminum, you name it....
You sure can, Resolve is good on just about any carpeting and fabric. I would however be a little more gentle with the brush, even go with a softer bristle one. You do not want to "fuzz up" the Bieber carpet.
I missread it the first time, and got a face.
quote
Originally posted by JohnWPB:
Good to hear! Scrubbing Bubbles, although meant as a bathroom cleaner, works amazingly on just about everything for the car. Glass, plastic, aluminum, you name it....
So true.
It is also awesome for blinds, lawn furniture, washing outside windows, kids outside plastic toys, etc. The stuff just works.
Another good combination is Mean Green (sold at Dollar General) and Tide. Mean Green is similar to Simple Green, but it's a measure nastier. It will actually oxidize bare aluminum. Worked wonderfully on my oil soaked trunk carpet.
I'll have to try your combo, the next time.
[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 11-11-2012).]
I wonder if this will work for my carpet.... I spilled almost a full bottle of lucas oil treatment in there along with all the other crud from the years lol. While I have my carpet out to fix the trunk bottom I have to try this. Before I saw this how to I was just going to rip the carpet out and run bare bones its THAT BAD!!
I tried this monday and all i got to say is wow!!! worked great. i did have one grease stain that was really tough but i had some Resolve Pre Treat Laundry stain remover. Hit it really good, scrubbed it in and let it set. Hosed it out and stain was gone. Great tip on cleaning Trunk carpet liners!!!!!!!!!
Dont know if i would use starting fluid on my seats. what i do use on my seats is 303 Upholstery Cleaner and Spot Remover . I took blood stains out of a white seat one day and have been sold on that stuff since. And for Ppl that hate greasy armorall. try 303 protectant , i used to white water kayak and the sun can destroy a plastic Kayak quick. used 303 on a dagger gradient for 5 years and it was always in the sun. my friends plastic was flaking, mine still looked new.
I wonder if this will work for my carpet.... I spilled almost a full bottle of lucas oil treatment in there along with all the other crud from the years lol. While I have my carpet out to fix the trunk bottom I have to try this. Before I saw this how to I was just going to rip the carpet out and run bare bones its THAT BAD!!
The can of gojo slime or white paste as we call it will dissolve that lucas for you. just smear it on and scrub.
On your suggestion, I bought the sprayer from Home Depot. It did not work well for me. It had good pressure when I cracked it open but the stream quickly went limp. I took it back and got the 5 spray pattern nozzle. I'm much happier with it. I'm going to pull my trunk carpet out today. Wish me luck!
Jonathan
[This message has been edited by Boostdreamer (edited 01-10-2014).]
I used a Resolve product but I'm not sure if it was the same one you mentioned. I also used the CLR in a spray bottle. Then I used Super Clean degreaser in the purple spray bottle. It is available at Walmart and I believe it is made by Castrol motor oil company. I used all three products before spraying with water. I used a brush after each cleaner. I had to re-do a couple of small spots. Mine came clean but I haven't taken a pic of it back in the trunk.
Look where it came from!
Jonathan
[This message has been edited by Boostdreamer (edited 01-11-2014).]
This tag was attached to my trunk carpet with a plastic price tag holder like you would see on clothing. It clearly says "Quantity 70" and "April 22, 1986".
Has anyone else seen tags like this on their carpet? Since it says Quantity 70, I wonder if mine was the top piece of carpet in a bundle of 70 and therefore got the tag?
Now use the CLR to saturate those areas well. I found it best to use the CLR full strength, in a spray bottle, and spray the area's well. Let CLR sit for about 5 minutes to dissolve the rust stains, and then scrub good with the brush. After a bit of scrubbing, you will see the rust stains start to disappear. You can then let it sit for a few more minutes to devolve any remaining rust stains. Now it is time for the final rinse. The carpet should look like, or close to, the day it was installed.
face. 
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