Car Interior Restoration: Bringing a Neglected Interior Back

The restoration process, in order

Order matters. Working out of sequence means cleaning the same surface twice.

• —Full removal of trash and personal items, then a complete dry vacuum including under seats and rails
• —Compressed air and brush agitation to lift debris out of seams and vents
• —Steam on hard surfaces, cupholders, vents and door jambs
• —Hot-water extraction on carpets and cloth seating
• —Leather cleaned with pH-appropriate product, then conditioned
• —Glass last, so nothing re-contaminates it

Stains, odor and pet hair

Fresh spills usually come out completely. Old set stains often improve dramatically but may not disappear — we will tell you that before we start rather than after. Odor comes from the source, so it has to be extracted, not masked with a fragrance.

Pet hair woven into cloth is one of the hardest interior problems. It requires specialized brushes and extraction that pull hair out of the weave rather than skimming the surface, which is why it is a separate add-on.

When an interior is beyond detailing

Torn seams, cracked dashboards, burn holes, cigarette damage and mold that has penetrated foam are upholstery and remediation work. Detailing can clean around damage, but it cannot repair it.