How to Recondition a Car Interior
After the exterior, a car's interior is probably the most visible area of a car that gets the most abuse. Dirty shoes stain the carpeting and wear holes in the floor mats, the dash becomes cracked from exposure to the sun and upholstery gets worn over time. Refurbishing an interior is a great way to make it look new again and is both easier and less expensive than a full restoration.
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Instructions
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Remove the passenger and driver's seat. This will allow you to remove the carpeting if necessary and at least clean very well under the seats--where dust and dirt builds up over the years. Seats are usually held in with four bolts that are removed with a socket. Slide the seat forward or backward as needed to remove the bolts.
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Vacuum and steam clean the carpeting. If the carpeting is old and faded, dye it with carpet dye to restore its appearance. Apply the carpet dye according to the directions on the box.
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Clean the seats while they are out of the car. This will allow you to gain access to the entire seat. If it's a leather seat, use a product like Leatherique (see Resources) to bring the old leather back to life. Steam clean the seats if they are made from cloth. If the seats are torn or beyond cleaning, install a set of custom-fit seat covers, which will fit tightly and make the seats look new.
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Install a dash cap on the dashboard if the dash is cracked (see Resources). A dash cap can look nearly as good as a new dash for a fraction of the cost. To install a dash cap, clean the existing dash with mineral spirits so that there are no oils or residues and then glue the cap down according to the directions. Some caps may need to be trimmed with a utility knife to get a perfect fit.
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Replace the old floor mats with new ones. Fresh floor mats go a long way towards keeping your interior looking new. You can either buy a generic set at an auto parts store for about $30 or you can buy custom mats for your specific car. Using good floor mats also ensures that your carpeting stays in good shape and prevents it from getting torn.
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Detail the rest of the interior--using vinyl protectant for vinyl and glass cleaner for the insides of the windows. Use Q-tips to clean between the vent slots and hard to reach crevices.
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Reinstall the seats.
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