Extreme Leather Upholstery and Carpet Cleaning

DetailersDomain

New member
Lately we have been getting some extremely worn and tired interiors from customers. Customers have been bringing us cars that they would like to sell or just bring some life back into, hence paint corrections and now even interior corrections. On the below examples we tried just about everything on them. We even used steam, however we achieved the best results with the tools listed below.



griots3inchinteriorkit500.jpg




Griot's 3 inch Random Orbital Polisher

Uber Ultra Interior Brush for Orbital Polishers

Uber Microfiber Applicator Pad

Uber Interior Microfiber Towel

1Z einszett Plastic Deep Cleaner



Description: 1Z einszett Plastic Deep Cleaner is a concentrated deep cleaning detergent that removes stubborn grime, grease, scuff marks, stains, soot and polish residue without harsh or abrasive cleaners.



Use on the dashboard, steering wheel, shift knob, arm rests, finished leather and pedals. Leaves a clean, no-shine finish.



- Removes stubborn grime from all interior trim

- Removes scuff marks

- Non-caustic formula won't harm surface

- Leaves an anti-static finish



1Z einszett Leather Care



Description: 1Z einszett Leather Care is specifically formulated for treating both semi-aniline and pigmented leather. einszett worked with local European leather suppliers to produce a product that effectively cleans the surface, removes oxidation, and maintains the suppleness of the finish without it looking unnaturally glossy or greasy. In addition, einszett Leather Care does not leave a powdery residue around the stitching, does not clog the pores of perforated leather, does not contain harsh chemicals that can strip the pigmented dye, and has a pleasant fragrance. The overall objective is to maintain the appearance of the leather as it was the day it came out of the factory.



- Cleans, conditions and protects in one simple step

- Restores suppleness to dry leather

- Can be used on leather saddles, boots and furniture

- Grease free, natural finish

- Pleasant lavender and sandalwood fragrance



Helpful Hints: Since the leather hide has a clear coat finish, when treating the leather, you are actually treating the clear coat and not the actual leather hide so you'll need to use a product that is formulated to treat the clear coat and not the hide itself as with 'unfinished' aniline leather.



Products specifically formulated to treat the finished coating contain special cleaners that remove oxidation, grime, body oils and sweat salt while conditioners maintain the flexibility of the finish so that the leather remains supple, not dry and brittle. (above from 1Z einszett USA)



Subject: Lexus LX470 - a daily driven vehicle that sees off road use.

Requirements: Interior Correction - The customer gave us the okay to go extreme on the interior. He wanted to see if we could get it to "LIKE New" condition, he had already planned on picking up new leather skins for it.



Just so you know its the real deal off road set up (full write up coming soon)

DSC_7160.jpg




Let's take a look at what these products can do.



Griot's 3 inch was set between speed 5 and 6 throughout the complete process on the leather. Very little pressure was used to clean up the leather.



griots3inchaction.jpg




50/50 shot of the what the Griot's 3 inch with the Uber Ultra Brush Attachment and 1Z einszett Plastic Deep Cleaner can do.



Rear seat shots you can see the difference between the seat on the left and the middle seat

DSC_6867.jpg




The contrast between the left and right is noticeable

DSC_6866.jpg


DSC_6863.jpg




Close up

DSC_6864.jpg




Before: Driver's seat

DSC_6855.jpg


DSC_6852.jpg




This here is a side by side shot of the driver's seat. If you take a look you will see a drastic difference. Just in case you didn't know the left side is clean and the right side years of built up dirt, grime, grease.

DSC_6873.jpg




A 50/50 shot of the center console

DSC_6868.jpg


DSC_6871.jpg




This is a close up shot of the center console. You really never realize how dirty it can get.

DSC_6870.jpg




No words really needed at this point we know the formula works. Armrest shots



Before

DSC_6856.jpg




50/50

DSC_6861.jpg




Afters: The interior came out great with the tools and products above. The customer was trilled with the results and will no longer need to pick up replacement leather skins for his LX.



Leather was finished off with 1Z einszett Leather Care

DSC_7199.jpg


DSC_7197.jpg


DSC_7194.jpg


DSC_7079.jpg


DSC_7077.jpg


DSC_7194.jpg


DSC_7091.jpg


DSC_7075.jpg




Next example:



Subject: Lexus IS300

Requirements: Prep the car for sale - do what you can to improve the resale value - (full write up soon)



Photo_5541.jpg




Griot's

photoDSC_5440.jpg




50//50 shots of the driver's side bolster

photoDSC_5444.jpg




50//50 shots of the driver's side seat - as you can see the products used are safe on vented seats

photoDSC_5443.jpg


photoDSC_5442.jpg




50/50 shot of the driver's side seat back

photoDSC_5425.jpg




Close up

photoDSC_5423.jpg


photoDSC_5424.jpg




50/50 on the center armrest

photoDSC_5369.jpg


photoDSC_5373.jpg




We also used the Uber Ultra Soft Brush Attachment on the carpets.



Griot's 3 inch was set between speed 5 and 6 throughout the complete process on the carpets/mats. Light to moderate pressure was used to clean up the mats/carpets.



Before - Grease, grime, dirt, were all present. The Griot's 3 inch Random Orbital Polisher, Uber Ultra Soft Brush Attachment, and 1Z einszett Plastic Deep Cleaner were used to clean it all up.

photoDSC_5389.jpg


photoDSC_5388.jpg




After - all cleaned up but just one spot - still a very big improvement.

photoDSC_5397.jpg




After shots -

photoDSC_5481.jpg


photoDSC_5499.jpg


photoDSC_5495.jpg


photoDSC_5480.jpg




Important Notes: You can damage the leather by going thru the clear coat with the machine (very much like paint), so make sure you take EXTREME CAUTION when working with the tools above - primarily the Griot's 3 inch Random Orbital Polisher and Uber Ultra Soft Brush Attachment



The above was for coated leather. Please NOTE this is NOT for suede, alcantara, or non coated leather.



You can buy this complete kit by Clicking Here
 
DetailersDomain said:
Lately we have been getting some extremely worn and tired interiors from customers. Customers have been bringing us cars that they would like to sell or just bring some life back into, hence paint corrections and now even interior corrections. On the below examples we tried just about everything on them. We even used steam, however we achieved the best results with the tools listed below.



griots3inchinteriorkit500.jpg




Griot's 3 inch Random Orbital Polisher

Uber Ultra Interior Brush for Orbital Polishers

Uber Microfiber Applicator Pad

Uber Interior Microfiber Towel

1Z einszett Plastic Deep Cleaner



Description: 1Z einszett Plastic Deep Cleaner is a concentrated deep cleaning detergent that removes stubborn grime, grease, scuff marks, stains, soot and polish residue without harsh or abrasive cleaners.



Use on the dashboard, steering wheel, shift knob, arm rests, finished leather and pedals. Leaves a clean, no-shine finish.



- Removes stubborn grime from all interior trim

- Removes scuff marks

- Non-caustic formula won't harm surface

- Leaves an anti-static finish



1Z einszett Leather Care



Description: 1Z einszett Leather Care is specifically formulated for treating both semi-aniline and pigmented leather. einszett worked with local European leather suppliers to produce a product that effectively cleans the surface, removes oxidation, and maintains the suppleness of the finish without it looking unnaturally glossy or greasy. In addition, einszett Leather Care does not leave a powdery residue around the stitching, does not clog the pores of perforated leather, does not contain harsh chemicals that can strip the pigmented dye, and has a pleasant fragrance. The overall objective is to maintain the appearance of the leather as it was the day it came out of the factory.



- Cleans, conditions and protects in one simple step

- Restores suppleness to dry leather

- Can be used on leather saddles, boots and furniture

- Grease free, natural finish

- Pleasant lavender and sandalwood fragrance



Helpful Hints: Since the leather hide has a clear coat finish, when treating the leather, you are actually treating the clear coat and not the actual leather hide so you'll need to use a product that is formulated to treat the clear coat and not the hide itself as with 'unfinished' aniline leather.



Products specifically formulated to treat the finished coating contain special cleaners that remove oxidation, grime, body oils and sweat salt while conditioners maintain the flexibility of the finish so that the leather remains supple, not dry and brittle. (above from 1Z einszett USA)



Subject: Lexus LX470 - a daily driven vehicle that sees off road use.

Requirements: Interior Correction - The customer gave us the okay to go extreme on the interior. He wanted to see if we could get it to "LIKE New" condition, he had already planned on picking up new leather skins for it.



Just so you know its the real deal off road set up (full write up coming soon)

DSC_7160.jpg




Let's take a look at what these products can do.



Griot's 3 inch was set between speed 5 and 6 throughout the complete process on the leather. Very little pressure was used to clean up the leather.



griots3inchaction.jpg




50/50 shot of the what the Griot's 3 inch with the Uber Ultra Brush Attachment and 1Z einszett Plastic Deep Cleaner can do.



Rear seat shots you can see the difference between the seat on the left and the middle seat

DSC_6867.jpg




The contrast between the left and right is noticeable

DSC_6866.jpg


DSC_6863.jpg




Close up

DSC_6864.jpg




Before: Driver's seat

DSC_6855.jpg


DSC_6852.jpg




This here is a side by side shot of the driver's seat. If you take a look you will see a drastic difference. Just in case you didn't know the left side is clean and the right side years of built up dirt, grime, grease.

DSC_6873.jpg




A 50/50 shot of the center console

DSC_6868.jpg


DSC_6871.jpg




This is a close up shot of the center console. You really never realize how dirty it can get.

DSC_6870.jpg




No words really needed at this point we know the formula works. Armrest shots



Before

DSC_6856.jpg




50/50

DSC_6861.jpg




Afters: The interior came out great with the tools and products above. The customer was trilled with the results and will no longer need to pick up replacement leather skins for his LX.



Leather was finished off with 1Z einszett Leather Care

DSC_7199.jpg


DSC_7197.jpg


DSC_7194.jpg


DSC_7079.jpg


DSC_7077.jpg


DSC_7194.jpg


DSC_7091.jpg


DSC_7075.jpg




Next example:



Subject: Lexus IS300

Requirements: Prep the car for sale - do what you can to improve the resale value - (full write up soon)



Photo_5541.jpg




Griot's

photoDSC_5440.jpg




50//50 shots of the driver's side bolster

photoDSC_5444.jpg




50//50 shots of the driver's side seat - as you can see the products used are safe on vented seats

photoDSC_5443.jpg


photoDSC_5442.jpg




50/50 shot of the driver's side seat back

photoDSC_5425.jpg




Close up

photoDSC_5423.jpg


photoDSC_5424.jpg




50/50 on the center armrest

photoDSC_5369.jpg


photoDSC_5373.jpg




We also used the Uber Ultra Soft Brush Attachment on the carpets.



Griot's 3 inch was set between speed 5 and 6 throughout the complete process on the carpets/mats. Light to moderate pressure was used to clean up the mats/carpets.



Before - Grease, grime, dirt, were all present. The Griot's 3 inch Random Orbital Polisher, Uber Ultra Soft Brush Attachment, and 1Z einszett Plastic Deep Cleaner were used to clean it all up.

photoDSC_5389.jpg


photoDSC_5388.jpg




After - all cleaned up but just one spot - still a very big improvement.

photoDSC_5397.jpg




After shots -

photoDSC_5481.jpg


photoDSC_5499.jpg


photoDSC_5495.jpg


photoDSC_5480.jpg




Important Notes: You can damage the leather by going thru the clear coat with the machine (very much like paint), so make sure you take EXTREME CAUTION when working with the tools above - primarily the Griot's 3 inch Random Orbital Polisher and Uber Ultra Soft Brush Attachment



The above was for coated leather. Please NOTE this is NOT for suede, alcantara, or non coated leather.



You can buy this complete kit by Clicking Here



The results are great!!... but in principle I do not like using electricity next to or near any kind of liquid/water ....and even more so when multiple employees are involved... the risk of electrocution far outweighs the benefits of using this equipment..IMHO
 
Excellent turn around Phil. We used to use our DA with brush attachment to scrub interiors (carpet) on vans and SUVs on a regular basis. They work great. And with how nifty the mini-GG is, this brings alot of new ideas into my head. This could mean the end of the Toothbrush?????? :Fermani:
 
I know you guys have made the rounds on web forums throughout the Internet with this post, but I just wanted to say your results are absolutely amazing. Thanks for sharing. That brush looks mighty tempting...
 
I don't use this specific attachment, but I love the one I do have. If you do a lot of interiors like I do, you will love this option. It's even worth it if you buy the second polisher for it. I wish I got into this sooner!



This stuff takes the elbow grease out of scrubbing carpets/leather. Not that you scrub hard, but having to hold a brush and go back and forth constantly wears out your grip. I hit at much as I can with the machine, then go back for final touches by hand.
 
I woud caution not to keep the leather wet for to long. I like to clean a section then move to another section then return later on. If the leather is wet for to long then you can start to damage the coating. I am not saying it happened here, but the leather usually gets lighter looking when it has been wet for to long.
 
Quality Leather said:
I woud caution not to keep the leather wet for to long. I like to clean a section then move to another section then return later on. If the leather is wet for to long then you can start to damage the coating. I am not saying it happened here, but the leather usually gets lighter looking when it has been wet for to long.



Can you use this brush attachment with the older porter cable?
 
All have a 5/16", 24 thread shaft / spindle diameter. To attach these brushes to your Porter Cable 7424 or Griot's Garage 6 Inch Random Orbital Polisher, remove the backing plate using the wrench included with the machines. Screw the brushes into the machine and tighten thoroughly. The brushes are threaded just like the backing plate
 
Oh sheesh...all these posts about doing interiors with the (newer model) GG electric 3" are just killing me! I'm getting seriously tempted to buy one to replace my v1.0 unit.
 
DetailersDomain- Heh heh, now you stop that! :chuckle:



But seriously...I have everything I need (including brushes) other than the newer GG unit, and I get my polishers as gifts :D See, it's one of those "what can you buy for this guy?!?" things where my wife gets me polishers/tools/etc. that I'm too cheap to buy for myself. I don't think I've paid for a polisher since the '80s!
 
How do you apply the cleaner? Coat the seat first with cleaner then use the brush? Or add cleaner to the brush then use on the seat?
 
Back
Top