Cleaning Carpets
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
From: Minot ND
Cleaning Carpets
All,
I have a 2005 C6, and the previous owner had a bottle of "Guardian" brand paint protectant stored in the trunk. Well the bottle cap broke off and spilled the protectant all over the passenger rear portion of the trunk and inside the small compartment on that same side. It got all over the plastic trim and all over the upholstered parts of the trunk. Can anyone recommend a cleaner I can use to clean the stains? I was able to remove some of the caked on "solid" but there is still an offwhite stain on the upholstery.
Thanks!
I have a 2005 C6, and the previous owner had a bottle of "Guardian" brand paint protectant stored in the trunk. Well the bottle cap broke off and spilled the protectant all over the passenger rear portion of the trunk and inside the small compartment on that same side. It got all over the plastic trim and all over the upholstered parts of the trunk. Can anyone recommend a cleaner I can use to clean the stains? I was able to remove some of the caked on "solid" but there is still an offwhite stain on the upholstery.
Thanks!
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,034
Likes: 11
From: Lewes DE
don't know anything about guardian in particular, but dishwashing liquid does pretty well at removing most sealants. It's worth a try,
For the carpets, I'd also really suggest you try FOLEX carpet cleaner. They have it at Lowes, but I had to ask several people there, before anyone could find it for me. YOu can get it from Lowes.com also.
Another nice trick for the seats, if they're involved, is to try the Mr. Clean magic eraser.
With all these things, of course you'd like to try on an inconspicuous area first, especially the magic eraser, which might cause some fading of fabric or leather - probably wont, but just be careful. Good luck !
For the carpets, I'd also really suggest you try FOLEX carpet cleaner. They have it at Lowes, but I had to ask several people there, before anyone could find it for me. YOu can get it from Lowes.com also.
Another nice trick for the seats, if they're involved, is to try the Mr. Clean magic eraser.
With all these things, of course you'd like to try on an inconspicuous area first, especially the magic eraser, which might cause some fading of fabric or leather - probably wont, but just be careful. Good luck !
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,739
Likes: 0
From: New Port Richey Florida
Martin - That Oxyclean sure did a great job. I've never tried it but I will now.
The funny thing is that Billy Mays, the guy on the TV commercials is a friend of my brothers and lives here locally in Florida. My sister in law uses the stuff all the time and swears by it.
The funny thing is that Billy Mays, the guy on the TV commercials is a friend of my brothers and lives here locally in Florida. My sister in law uses the stuff all the time and swears by it.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,636
Likes: 3
From: Lafayette IN
I just tried the Oxy clean and had similar results...that stuff worked great and is pretty darn cheap considering how many batches you can make. The previous owner of my '97 Deville DeElegance had kids with kool-aid and poptarts ground into the carpet and mats. He also worked at a quick-lube so the driver's floormat was pretty bad.
Once it dries it looks like the kool-aid will somewhat still be there though. I tried the dilluted Oxy (1 scoop to 1 gallon) and might try it in a stronger mix.
Also, I haven't tried FOLEX but I did notice that it is available at WalMart in the cleaning aisle with the other carpet cleaners.
Once it dries it looks like the kool-aid will somewhat still be there though. I tried the dilluted Oxy (1 scoop to 1 gallon) and might try it in a stronger mix.
Also, I haven't tried FOLEX but I did notice that it is available at WalMart in the cleaning aisle with the other carpet cleaners.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Heel & Toe
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
The best way to remove stains is to use a heated carpet extractor. If you don't own one, just go to the supermarket and rent one. They are also known as shampooers. Woolite makes a solution that is specifically for carpet extractors, and it has worked well for me. Otherwise, simple hair shampoo with water in a bucket works well if you scrub with a brush. You have to vacuum afterward with a shop-vac. I have done this on my own cars, before I bought an extractor. Steam cleaners also do an excellent job of stain removal. You can buy decent ones from Lowe's or Home Depot. Mine was $600, but is probably overkill for personal use. The good thing, is that steam cleaners can do a variety of jobs.
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio TX
I've tried the Rug Dr. from the supermartket and didn't have good results.
Maybe hair shampoos might work but be carefull, some have dyes and bleaches. They also take alot of water to rinse out. If you don't get it all the soap out, it will leave soap residue that will attract more dirt.
Here's a before and after of Honda Odyssey carpets I cleaned with OxyClean today.
San Antonio Mobile Wash
www.SAmobilecarwash.com
Maybe hair shampoos might work but be carefull, some have dyes and bleaches. They also take alot of water to rinse out. If you don't get it all the soap out, it will leave soap residue that will attract more dirt.
Here's a before and after of Honda Odyssey carpets I cleaned with OxyClean today.
San Antonio Mobile Wash
www.SAmobilecarwash.com
Last edited by SA Detailer; Sep 14, 2006 at 10:58 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 4,034
Likes: 11
From: Lewes DE
Hey - thanks for those great pics !
Hell, I saw oxyclean in the hardware store today and picked up some. I'll give it a try when I get a chance.
By the way, if anyone is using folex - it works great. But the best way to use it is to brush it into the carpet with the PC7424 and an aqua-soft carpet brush. This is what I use:
click on pic
Hell, I saw oxyclean in the hardware store today and picked up some. I'll give it a try when I get a chance.
By the way, if anyone is using folex - it works great. But the best way to use it is to brush it into the carpet with the PC7424 and an aqua-soft carpet brush. This is what I use:
click on pic
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,909
Likes: 4
From: Ponte Vedra Beach / London State: Dazed and confused
Oxy-Clean does what it says (as can be seen from the photographs posted) used occasionally-
Bleach:
Chemically lightens or oxidizes as it is formulated with either sodium hypochlorite (Clorox® is a chlorine bleach) or hydrogen peroxide (Oxy-Clean™ is an oxygen bleach that is also a strong alkaline, pH 10) both of these contain active ingredients that are generally considered to be corrosive. Bleach should never be mixed with other chemical cleaners, ammonia, or rust removers as the mixture can create toxic gases and volatile explosives. Prolonged contact with metal or fabric materials will cause pitting, etching, discoloration or erosion
Bleach:
Chemically lightens or oxidizes as it is formulated with either sodium hypochlorite (Clorox® is a chlorine bleach) or hydrogen peroxide (Oxy-Clean™ is an oxygen bleach that is also a strong alkaline, pH 10) both of these contain active ingredients that are generally considered to be corrosive. Bleach should never be mixed with other chemical cleaners, ammonia, or rust removers as the mixture can create toxic gases and volatile explosives. Prolonged contact with metal or fabric materials will cause pitting, etching, discoloration or erosion
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 5,894
Likes: 1
From: Farmingdale NY
St. Jude Donor '06
I clean the carpets with a good cleaner and a hand brush.
First thoroughly vacuum the rugs.
Spray cleaner on rugs and let sit for a few minutes.
Scrub down with carpet brush and lots of water.
Extract water with my shop vac.
Use clean towels to soak up remnants of water that the shop vac doesn't get.
I use an interior wash from a local company named Gliptone. I get the interior/carpet brush from them too.
First thoroughly vacuum the rugs.
Spray cleaner on rugs and let sit for a few minutes.
Scrub down with carpet brush and lots of water.
Extract water with my shop vac.
Use clean towels to soak up remnants of water that the shop vac doesn't get.
I use an interior wash from a local company named Gliptone. I get the interior/carpet brush from them too.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,753
Likes: 210
From: North Western Connecticut
Originally Posted by HighHopes85
I just tried the Oxy clean and had similar results...that stuff worked great and is pretty darn cheap considering how many batches you can make. The previous owner of my '97 Deville DeElegance had kids with kool-aid and poptarts ground into the carpet and mats. He also worked at a quick-lube so the driver's floormat was pretty bad.
Once it dries it looks like the kool-aid will somewhat still be there though. I tried the dilluted Oxy (1 scoop to 1 gallon) and might try it in a stronger mix.
Also, I haven't tried FOLEX but I did notice that it is available at WalMart in the cleaning aisle with the other carpet cleaners.
Once it dries it looks like the kool-aid will somewhat still be there though. I tried the dilluted Oxy (1 scoop to 1 gallon) and might try it in a stronger mix.
Also, I haven't tried FOLEX but I did notice that it is available at WalMart in the cleaning aisle with the other carpet cleaners.
http://safe.dhwd.com/cgi-bin/askbuil...er%2ejpg.html?
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio TX
Originally Posted by cthusker
Here's the exact same stuff called Stain Solver.. It cost about half of what Oxy Clean costs. I've been ordering from this place for the past 4 years. Excellent service and extremely good price. I use it for cleaning everything from my car carpets to my deck....... It also works fantastic cleaning the pads used for your car buffer.
http://safe.dhwd.com/cgi-bin/askbuil...er%2ejpg.html?
http://safe.dhwd.com/cgi-bin/askbuil...er%2ejpg.html?
Went to their website and sounds interesting, so I ordered a 4 pound box. I'll give it a try a let you guys know what happens. Thanks CTHUSKER, I'm always looking for something better. Hope this stuff is as good as they advertise, thanks.
San Antonio Mobile Wash
www.SAmobilecarwash.com
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 7,753
Likes: 210
From: North Western Connecticut
Originally Posted by SA Detailer
Went to their website and sounds interesting, so I ordered a 4 pound box. I'll give it a try a let you guys know what happens. Thanks CTHUSKER, I'm always looking for something better. Hope this stuff is as good as they advertise, thanks.
San Antonio Mobile Wash
www.SAmobilecarwash.com
San Antonio Mobile Wash
www.SAmobilecarwash.com
