Detailing inside of a car - what am I missing?

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Here's what I do right now when I want to clean it entirely:

1. Pull out carpet placements and vacuum, then apply carpet cleaner, then vacuum after 15-20 minutes.
2. Use Armor All on all plastics
3. Vacuum carpet, seats, etc.
4. Clean windows
5. If leather, use an appropriate product on those

This does a good job and I haven't had any issues with it, but I'm wondering what others might be doing to go one step above this. Right now this takes ~2 hours or so depending on the kind of car and want to know what else can be done on the inside.

Edit: I do use carpet cleaner on carpet underneath the mats or whatever and something similar for fabric seats.

 

[SoulAssassin]

Blow out the vents, clean the rearview mirror.

 

[Unheard]

A great post by SVT Cobra for your reference.

 

[giantpinkbunnyhead]

For the floormats...

Soak them in a bathtub, or a big washbin if the mats are really dirty. Use about 2 inches deep of hot water and a half cup of laundry soap. Use a scrubby brush and be amazed at how much dirt comes out that will NEVER come out with carpet cleaner alone. I do this every spring after winter runs its course.

Also, for the love of all things sacred, use ANYTHING besides armor-all! The shine is too plasticky and some of the ingredients in it have been tied to premature cracking of dashboards. Lexol makes an excellent vinyl cleaner; but the best IMO is 303 Aerospace protectant which you can find at most marine supply stores or spa stores. In any case, I don't recommend using these things on the steering wheel rim or shift levers or pedals as they make it easier to lose your grip.

Otherwise... lots of Q-tips will help with dash vents and other tight areas, and be sure to get under the seats, removing them if necessary. Also a good time to clean out center consoles, map pockets, glove boxes, etc.

 

[Muadib]

What gets coke (the soda, not the drug) out of my carpet?

 

[prontospyder]

Not sure if this counts as interior or exterior but clean the door jams?

 

[VirginiaDonkey]

Woolite with Oxyclean works wonders for stains in carpet/cloth seats/headliners

 

[prontospyder]

Originally posted by: Muadib
What gets coke (the soda, not the drug) out of my carpet?

I never had to remove spilled soda from my car's carpet but I've had good luck removing stains by pretreating it with Folex (got it at Lowes) and then scrubbing it with Oxy + warm water mix.

 

[amish]

Originally posted by: Unheard
A great post by SVT Cobra for your reference.

yeah that was an amazing post. i was going to try and find it if nobody else did.