Carpet: To clean or not to clean...

[gbeaird]

That is the question. While moving the 86 back to the shop, and doing a little work on it, my wife asked if I was planning on replacing the carpet. I hadn't really put much thought into it, but it is pretty stained, and we have most of the interior out/loose now anyway.

I've done a couple of searches, and while I have found one 'carpet replacement' thread where someone mentioned they just cleaned theirs and it worked great, I thought I'd ask here. It looks like a PO was a real Coke fiend (no, not the white powdery stuff, the dark syrupy stuff). There are lots of what appear to be cola and coffee stains in our carpet. I did some cleaning when we first got the car, but nothing too thorough, it was an autocross car after all. Anyway, while I have most of the car apart already, I'm weighing washing the existing carpet vs. purchasing new. I see where new will run me about $200, which isn't too bad. I'd hate to do it twice, but if cleaning what I have (I think it is otherwise in pretty good shape, no bad fades, wear spots or tears) will do the trick, I can do that.

For those who have cleaned their carpet, exactly what process did you follow? Thanks.

Gene Beaird,
86 2R SVO, G Stock,
Pearland, Texas

[NavySVO]

I have not done the carpet in my SVO, but I have done carpet from other cars I have owned, and done it a few different ways.

Carpet removed from the car
-I used a Rug Doctor with their cleaning solution. It is a little cumbersome because the carpet is pre-moulded, but it can be done.
-I got some SPOT SHOT for a bit of pretreating the nasty stains.
-First vacuum it real good wiith a vacuum cleaner that has a beater brush.
-Get a stockpot of water going on the stove and bring it to a boil. Hot, Hot water will get so much more dirt out than just filling the thing up with ambient temp water.
-CAREFULLY dump it in the reservoir and then add the cleaning solution.
-Have a helper hold the edge of the carpet to keep it from scooting around while you clean it.
-Leave it out in the sun to dry

If you don't get a Rug Doctor and just get a cleaner like Stanley Steamer uses, use the hot water as well.

[Kendal Coker]

I take mine to the car wash and pressure wash it (out of the car). Then hang it up in the sun to dry. Usually looks pretty good.

[svono50]

I did a similar cleaning to what Kurt mentioned, but mine was in the car. I didn't pull the interior that far apart. The tips on the Spot Shot and HOT water (not too hot to damage the equipment) are good ones. I would also suggest doing a last pass over the carpet with just straight hot water, no cleaning solution. This will help ensure that there isn't any cleaning residue left in the carpet.

[851ccp]

I use 409, simple green , And then pressure wash with hot water works great

[jimmatczak]

I just did my carpet. Came out nice.

Rented a rug doctor for $20/day. Used just the furniture attachment (the hose with the spray/suction - no brushes). Worked the solution in with a nice new scrub brush and then made multiple passes over the whole thing with the attachment with HOT water until I saw the water was clean.

Came out real nice. I hesitated to get new carpet as everything I read people complain about the fitment and color of the ACC ones. I guess the TrimParts stuff is better, but better to keep the original if you can.

[SVOeric]

I have a power washer here at the house, and I've used it to clean several sets of carpet. they come out nice, but you need somewhere to hang it for a few days , so it can dry.
IMHO, you're better off cleaning the original carpet.

[jimmatczak]

Oh, and you HAVE to take it out of the car to do it and yes, leave it outside to dry throughly.

If you do it in the car, that water gets all trapped underneath the carpet and does wonders to your floorboards. Ask me how I know.

[gbeaird]

Yeah, it's a real bummer to learn those little tidbits of wisdom yourself.

We actually have a carpet cleaner. It was a worthwhile investment when you have white carpet and dogs, cats and birds in the house. The boiling water is a good treatment for getting cat pee up out of home carpet, too. We usually just lay a stack of towels on top and weigh them down with rocks or bricks for a couple of days. Then let air dry.

Thanks for the pointers. Not sure I'll get to this this weekend, we're finishing moving out of the storage units this weekend, so we gotta make room for everything. The toolbox and SVO rear quarter panel were quite a chore to move.

Gene Beaird,
86 2R SVO, G Stock (Finally Home!)
Pearland, Texas

[Erics SVO]

We just got a Bissell Proheat to use at our new place. The previous person had a couple of dogs and it smelled just slightly "doggy" on a hot day when we showed up w/out the air on. It has the upholstry tool. I have a better set of carpet for the 93 to try it on.

[ImaNoob]

The SVO I'm planning to purchase looks to have a better then normal carpet (for 23 yrs old). Had planned to just use the shampoo technique once it arrives at home and see how it is. But also looked into just swapping out the original carpet with brand new one as an alternative. Might cost more money....?

-Garry

[SVOJames]

I pull the carpet out and take it to the car wash. It is best done as a 2-man job.

One of the advantages of taking the carpet out is that it gives you a chance to look for cracks and rust.

James

[SVOeric]

carpet cleaner won't come close to getting it as clean as the power-washing will.

[gbeaird]

I pull the carpet out and take it to the car wash. It is best done as a 2-man job.

One of the advantages of taking the carpet out is that it gives you a chance to look for cracks and rust.

James

....and build sheets!

[Erics SVO]

Now you're talkin'!