Sunday AM detail 04 Acura TL...

Clean Dean

Keep it clean !!!
This 2004 Acura TL was in need of some TLC, after 3 years and 45k miles of use. The interior was pretty nasty, and the exterior was crying for a clay and buff. After handwashing and claying the exterior, I used Hi-Temps Heavy leveler followed by Menzera FP then sealed with Meg’s #21.

The interior floormats were pressure washed then scrubbed with an undiluted APC and then I let them dwell for about 20 minutes. Pressure washed them again then vac with wet/dry vac. I finished them off with my Mytee HP 60 and a commercial extraction solution.

Enjoy…

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southerrndetail,
I admire your work also. I always blast the heat on the floor after extraction. Especially now that the weather is getting cooler up here in the NE.

audioboy,

I love your signature !!!
 
Excellent work as always....by the way your avatar...the next time you take a picture like that I would like to be included...I am willing to drive to Jersey:D
 
Nice work CD....the norm for you....on the mats, do you think that it was a bit over kill? I mean pressure washing APC then the extractor? in the before pics they don't look that bad to me....my way is similar to yours, taking out the pressure washer ( I use the hose with a nozzle) and the extractor ( I use my shop vac)....mine come out that nice...just a question that I have....thanks!
 
I have used my pressure washer on mats set to almost the widest steeing, perhaps the pressure aggitates the dirt more to release it from the matting?
 
I have used my pressure washer on mats set to almost the widest steeing, perhaps the pressure aggitates the dirt more to release it from the matting?

Stephan

What I was driving at was he is using the pressure washer coupled with full straight APC brushed, let set...pressure washed again...shop vac'ed...then used a commercial extractor and solution on top of that...I was just wondering if one or the other would have produced the same results....I use APC and water with the shop vac...and my mats come out look as nice, and some that I have worked on have looked that bad and worse....pre-soaking the mats is one key...brushing them to everything up is the other...washing off and letting the water run clear seems to lift out what is in the matte finish...the my 5.0 shop vac seems to do the rest...The only thing that I could see that the extractor is doing is maybe lifting some of the stains that don't seem to lift with cold water applications...but then some mats I have found are stained beyond correction.
 
Beemerboy & Stephan,

Although these mats were pretty nasty, they did improve remarkably after the intial pressure wash + APC scrub + pressure wash + wet/dry vacuum sequence. My Rigid 5.0 wet/dry vac did a nice job of pulling out most of the excess water, but the 3 stage vacuum motor of my HP 60 really seems to pull deeper down into the carpets nap giving a more thorough cleaning. I also like using a commercial strength carpet extraction solution with my heated HP 60, because it leaves the mats smelling as clean as they look. These carpet extraction solutions are also formulated to kill bacteria and molds which account for the nasty odors you will find in most daily driver automobiles that are not vacuumed and cleaned regularly.

BTW... This Acura carpeting did smell as bad as it looked inside !!!

Stephan,

I will be posting a new avatar soon with my "friends" !!!
 
Beemerboy & Stephan,

Although these mats were pretty nasty, they did improve remarkably after the intial pressure wash + APC scrub + pressure wash + wet/dry vacuum sequence. My Rigid 5.0 wet/dry vac did a nice job of pulling out most of the excess water, but the 3 stage vacuum motor of my HP 60 really seems to pull deeper down into the carpets nap giving a more thorough cleaning. I also like using a commercial strength carpet extraction solution with my heated HP 60, because it leaves the mats smelling as clean as they look. These carpet extraction solutions are also formulated to kill bacteria and molds which account for the nasty odors you will find in most daily driver automobiles that are not vacuumed and cleaned regularly.

BTW... This Acura carpeting did smell as bad as it looked inside !!!

Stephan,

I will be posting a new avatar soon with my "friends" !!!

Thanks CD I wasn't questioning your talent...trust me...I found two things...when I had an extractor on loan here...heated model with all kinds of lift...I used a detail supplier for my extractor solution...I found that with pre-treating the carpets with some APC, Folex or the likes of that, then brush to get things loose. The extractor did all the rest of the work..on the other hand I am back to the water hose, with the extractor solution with brushes and the shop vac...the mats come out just about as nice 80% of the time IMO..they just take longer...one day I will have an extractor again this time I will buy it instead of just loaning for a test ride

Again you have great talent in detailing, have admired your work...as well as your cam work...mine bites...also the avatar if Stephan can't make the next shoot call me:D
 
BTW... This Acura carpeting did smell as bad as it looked inside !!!

Stephan,

I will be posting a new avatar soon with my "friends" !!!

A see the new one excellent...I need to find some friends like that...

You mentioned the smell in the carpets, did you find that your regimin eliminated the odor?
 
Beemerboy,

I never thought for a moment you were being critical of me personally. I enjoy when fellow experience professionals and enthusiast engage in discussions about techniques and products. I love my extractor, but I have found that they are only effectively used alone on newer lightly soiled carpeting. For most stained carpets (daily drivers), an strong APC, a firm brush and a lot of good old fashioned elbow grease is necessary.

Stephan,

The hot water solution leaves the carpets smelling fresh and clean, and it is usually noticed by the customer.
 
Beemerboy,

I never thought for a moment you were being critical of me personally. I enjoy when fellow experience professionals and enthusiast engage in discussions about techniques and products. I love my extractor, but I have found that they are only effectively used alone on newer lightly soiled carpeting. For most stained carpets (daily drivers), an strong APC, a firm brush and a lot of good old fashioned elbow grease is necessary.

Stephan,

The hot water solution leaves the carpets smelling fresh and clean, and it is usually noticed by the customer.

Thanks your work is to be admired!
 
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