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Maintaining the Allure of Antique Cars and Trucks

by Vincent Platania

Maintaining the Allure of Antique Cars and Trucks

If an automobile has made it decades past its expiration date, managing to avoid a final trip to the scrap yard, it is because its original owner invested time and effort for its upkeep. To those who are infatuated with them, antique cars and trucks are historical works on wheels that tell stories of automotive styles gone by. If you are the proud owner of an antique car or truck, then you want to maintain your vehicle's original charm and allure. Some stories are best left untold, and no one really needs to know what stained upholstery has to say. Silence those stains forever with effective stain removers and by following these tips.

The Cleaners

Always begin an interior cleaning of your car by vacuuming up as much loose dirt and dust as possible. Remove carpets and mats and wash them first with the appropriate cleaning products and brushes. Hose down and scrub floor mats, leaving them to air-dry completely before placing them back into the vehicle. You can count on finding grease stains on your carpets, so use an effective cleaner made for dissolving and removing such stains (FULLER Fullpower Spot Away). Spray the cleaner directly onto the stain and blot with a soft, absorbent cloth (FULLER Super Shammy Cloths). Repeat as necessary. Finish cleaning the entire carpet with a foaming cleaner, scrub gently, then wipe it all away. Again, make sure carpets have dried completely before returning them to your car or truck.

For soiled fabric upholstery, employ a similar method as with cleaning the carpets, only use a gentler cleaning product so as not to damage the fabric. Spot-spray stains and blot away the product and dirt. Follow with an upholstery cleaner that can be wiped off with an absorbent cloth. Be sure not to saturate the fabric. Spray on, scrub gently if necessary, then wipe off.

If your antique vehicle has leather upholstery, you must use a product made to clean leather only. A good leather cleaner will not only clean your leather upholstery effectively, but it will polish and protect it as well (FULLER Vinyl and Leather Cleaner / Polish / Protectant). Simply spray and wipe off with a soft clean cloth. Leather cleaners such as these will give a shine to your leather upholstery, making it look new again. You can also use your leather cleaner to wipe down and shine up your dashboard and interior mouldings should they be leather or vinyl as well. If you find a stain on your leather upholstery, do your best to determine what it is before trying to remove it. This is especially important because if it is a grease stain you must not use water on it. Best to consult with a leather care expert for the appropriate method of removal.

Interiors of antique cars restored to their original alluring states are well worth investing the time and energy needed. The beauty of your antique auto will continue to stand the test of time.