How to Pick up Carpet for Fender Wells

When detailing your car, you might need to get under the carpets.

When cleaning and detailing the interior of an automobile, it is important to wash the carpets and the areas under the carpet. To get under auto carpets, it is necessary to work in confined spaces and at odd angles, such as the curves around the fender wells. Benefits of getting under the carpets includes cleaning out hard-to-reach grime and eliminating odors from mold and mildew under the carpet. .

Things You'll Need

• Socket kit and ratchet
• Flat-head or Phillips screwdrivers
• Putty knife

Instructions

1. Open the car doors, and unscrew the retaining bolts or screws along the carpet runners -- these are the metal bars along the carpet edge holding it in position. Use sockets and a ratchet or screwdrivers depending on the fixtures. Remove the runners.

2. Push the putty knife under the carpet to pry it up. Once you pry the edge of the carpet, begin rolling the carpet. The carpet might stick due to accumulated moisture and grime. If it sticks, gently push the putty knife under the stuck areas, and then continue rolling the carpet up.

3. Keep the carpet rolled up while cleaning the underside or repairing the area. If necessary, roll the entire carpet up and remove it from the car. This allows you to pressure wash the carpet.

Tips & Warnings

• When putting the carpet back onto the fender wells, start at the top of the curve and roll both side of the carpet down to avoid kinks and wrinkles along the edges.

References

• "Road and Travel" Magazine: 15 Tips for Cleaning Carpeting and Upholsetry
• Auto Detailing: Interiors