Hey all, I'm looking to restore the carpet in my car. Has anyone used the small steam cleaners, like the MR-100 from Primo. I would rather clean and restore. than replace if I can. I know someone has an opinion out there.
Dave
Dave
-
-
Re: Carpet steamers
Dave,
I'm in a similar situation and am also wondering what options are available for floor mats. I wonder if there are any preferred techniques/solutions for cleaning them since they can be washed in a sink, for example? -
Re: Carpet steamers
First Dave, Maybe try it on a small piece of carpet that goes under the jack storage board covered area to see if it works and doesn't harm the carpet. If good, then you can do the rest of the carpet. I personally think that soap and water will clean the carpet the best with a nice dry in the sun. I did that with the carpet on my Camaro and worked nicely. No brush, or you will mess up the nap of the carpet. Try pressure hose with soap, etc... I took my carpet to one of those do-it-yourself car washes and clipped the carpet up on the wall and sprayed it with water and soap. Granted, my Camaro's carpet wasn't as irreplaceable as yours in the Vette....but it came great. Not sure how good just a steamer will be able to get a carpet that has 45 years of dirt, sand ,etc in it...but worth a try.Second Dave, if you are referring to the original clear/yellowed floor mats that the dealers installed...I have owned a few sets, and have a few sets now. I have cleaned them with Lestoil and they have come stunning. Lestoil gets all the grease and stains out without harming the mats themselves. I use a small, soft bristled brush and work each small rectangular section at a time. Dirt tends to build up in the corners of the sections, so I do one at a time slowly. They come amazing....Crazy that rubber mats from 50 years ago can last that long.....they don't make 'em like they used to....RegardsARAComment
-
Re: Carpet steamers
Dave, I use a standard Hoover Steam Vac, the same ones that you can buy at WalMart. It has a hose attachment that works well enough, and can get into small areas. I've had this machine for years and use it to clean my living room carpet. Between the foot traffic in my house, the various apartments rented by the kids, and all of the cars that move through my garages, this is one of the best purchases that I've ever made.
You can also have at it with some soapy water and a shop vac. Either way, you will have to let the underlayment dry a while.
However, if the carpet is faded you will have to dye it.
Paul
P.S. I just saw Ara's post. Dave, I had assumed that you were cleaning the carpet in the car. If it is out of the car, soapy water, a garden hose, and the sun is the best and easiest way.Comment
-
Re: Carpet steamers
Dave, on auto carpets I have 1. I used carpet cleaner in a can and a brush. It worked OK. 2. I rented a steam carpet cleaner and did the carpet myself. It worked better than #1. 3. When the commercial carpet cleaning guys were cleaning our house carpet they told me they also did auto carpet so I gave them the opportunity. They did a better job than I had ever done. The carpet was cleaner, it dried very fast and the pad was not wet, and the nap stood up like new. SteveComment
-
Re: Carpet steamers
Thanks Guys, Yes the carpet is still in the car. The floor mats are rubber backed carpet, and yes they can be removed to clean them. I'll look into your ideas.
Thank youComment
Comment