Roberto's Auto Trim - Custom Auto and Marine Upholstery

Now on Twitter!

admin — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 01:09:08 +0000

Roberto’s Auto Trim is now on Twitter!

Come check out our new Twitter account and follow us for updates to our blog and other great news!

http://www.twitter.com/RobertosAutoCM

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How to Properly Clean Water Stains From Vehicle Upholstery

carol — Fri, 31 May 2013 15:41:10 +0000

How to Properly Clean Water Stains From Vehicle Upholstery

If you’ve ever left your car window open or your convertible top down on a rainy day then you probably already know how difficult it is to remove water stains from vehicle upholstery. The trick to removing water stains from cloth or fabric car upholstery is to focus on more than just the stains. In order to really get the upholstery clean you have to tackle the entire area around the stains. Luckily, the process of cleaning water stains from vehicle upholstery is a fairly easy one. Let’s discuss how:

Start by vacuuming the seats and carpet with a good quality vacuum with attachments. This helps to loosen any dirt or debris that is left on your upholstery. If this dirt is allowed to remain on the upholstery then it will become mud when moistened, causing additional stains.
Spray a good quality dry foam cleaner on the upholstery. Make sure that the cleaner you use is approved for use on vehicle upholstery and cover the entire carpet or seat instead of just the stains.
Brush the foam over the entire area, working it gently into the fabric. You will want to avoid scrubbing it too hard as it can damage the surfaces of some cloth upholsteries.
Wipe away the foam with a clean, dry towel.
Allow the area to dry completely by parking your vehicle in the sun if at all possible, and leave the windows down to allow the moisture to escape.
If the surface of your upholstery is stiff after it dries, you can usually restore the original texture by vacuuming the surface.

Roberto’s Auto Trim in Orange County, California handles all types of upholstery work including automotive, marine and even furniture. With over 40 years of experience, Roberto’s reputation for high quality interiors is unmatched. Some of the top automotive dealerships in Orange County use Roberto’s Auto Trim for their repair and replacement work. If you have questions about your convertible top or another upholstery project, please don’t hesitate to contact us today.

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Removing Soda Stains on Vehicle Upholstery

carol — Fri, 24 May 2013 17:38:38 +0000

Removing Soda Stains on Vehicle Upholstery

Car upholstery is subject to stains from several different things. The way you remove these stains depends on the type of vehicle upholstery that you have and what caused the stain. Soda stains are extremely common and can be difficult to remove. Let’s discuss how to remove soda stains from a vehicle’s interior.

You will want to clean the spilled soda as soon as possible for the best results.
For car interiors made from nylon, cloth, polyester or vinyl, use a clean cloth to sponge the stain with a solution of water and rubbing alcohol.
Nylon or polyester seats should be spot cleaned with a soft cloth that has been dipped in a mild foaming upholstery shampoo. Be sure to wring the cloth out thoroughly to remove any excess water before applying it to the seats.
For soda stains on fabric upholstery and carpets, wipe the stained area with cold soapy water. Be sure the shampoo that you use is approved for use on vehicle upholstery.
Rinse the area with clean cold water.
Spray a good quality fabric protector onto fabric upholstery after cleaning and drying. This will help to repel future stains.
Soda stains on leather upholstery should be cleaned with good quality leather upholstery cleaner that is approved for use in vehicles.
Rub the cleaner into one section of the leather upholstery at a time with a clean soft cloth.
Allow the cleaner to dry completely and then apply a leather conditioner to one section of the upholstery at a time.

If soda stains are not dealt with quickly then they can become unsightly yellows stain over time. If you are having trouble removing soda stains from your car’s upholstery then you might want to contact a vehicle upholstery specialist for assistance.

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Removing Coffee Stains on Vehicle Upholstery

carol — Fri, 17 May 2013 17:36:14 +0000

Removing Coffee Stains on Vehicle Upholstery

Many people drink coffee inside their cars, and most of them have experienced spills at one time or another while doing so. Spilling coffee is much more harmful than you might realize, because coffee stains are extremely difficult to remove and they ruin the beauty of your car’s interior. There are several things you can do at home to remove most coffee stains, but if these should fail to work then you might require the assistance of an upholstery specialist.

Removing Coffee Stains From Vinyl or Leather Upholstery

Using a paper towel, remove all of the coffee that you can.
Mix a mild detergent with water. (Make sure that the detergent is safe to use on leather and vinyl upholstery.)
Dip a lint-free towel into the solution and wring it out thoroughly. You want the towel to contain more suds than water, as any excess water will damage the leather.
Gently wipe the stain with the dampened towel from the outside to the middle.
Once you have removed the coffee stain from the upholstery, blot the area with a paper towel and allow it to dry completely.

Removing Coffee Stains From Cloth Upholstery

Using a paper towel, remove all of the coffee that you can.
Make a solution of one-third white vinegar and two-thirds water.
Using a spray bottle, spray the solution onto the stain. Continue spraying until you begin to see the stain lifting.
Wipe the area with a clean towel until it is completely dry.
If the vinegar solution does not remove the coffee stain, a solution of mild detergent and water can be made. The detergent should be approved for use on cloth upholstery.
Apply the solution with a sponge and remove it with a second sponge that has been dipped in clean water.
Use paper towels to dry the area completely.
For really stubborn coffee stains a beaten egg yolk can be used.
Dip a clean terry cloth into the egg yolk and apply it generously to the stain.
Leave it on the stain for a minute or two and then wipe off the egg yolk and rinse the area thoroughly with water.
The cleaned area should always be allowed to dry completely. Put the car in the sun if at all possible and leave the windows open to allow the moisture to escape from the vehicle.

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Removing Tobacco Smoke Odors From a Vehicle Interior

carol — Fri, 10 May 2013 17:33:08 +0000

Removing Tobacco Smoke Odors From a Vehicle Interior

Tobacco smoke odors in a vehicle can be awful for non-smokers and they can be extremely difficult to remove. If you have inherited a vehicle from a smoker you will most likely want to get rid of the smell immediately. The following steps will help you remove tobacco smoke odors from a vehicle’s interior.

Start by shampooing the car’s interior including the carpets, upholstery and floor mats. Use an odor eliminating shampoo that is safe to use on your car’s interior.
Using a damp sponge, clean all washable surfaces with the same shampoo.
Clean all of the windows inside with glass cleaner, repeating as many times as necessary.
Sprinkle baking soda on dry carpets. Work it into the carpet with your hands. Let it sit for a week and then vacuum it up.
Clean leather upholstery with a leather cleaner/deodorizer that is approved for use on vehicle seats.
Vacuum ashtrays thoroughly to remove any residual ash. A small amount of baking soda or kitty litter can be placed inside the ashtrays to absorb any additional odors.

If these steps do not eliminate the tobacco smoke odor then you might have to consider replacing your vehicle’s upholstery. Be sure to contact a qualified auto upholstery professional.

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How to Tell if your Vehicle’s Upholstery Needs to be Repaired and/or Replaced

carol — Fri, 03 May 2013 17:28:50 +0000

How to Tell if your Vehicle’s Upholstery Needs to be Repaired and/or Replaced

A driver typically spends several hours each day sitting inside the cabin of their vehicle. This is the part of the car that you and your passengers will see and use most often. It is for this reason that the auto upholstery should be properly maintained and kept in good order. It is not always enough for you alone to keep the auto upholstery clean and in good shape, sometimes you will need to bring in a qualified auto upholstery professional to perform some repairs and replacements as necessary. The following guidelines will help you decide if your automobile upholstery needs to be repaired or replaced.

If your vehicle is more than ten years old, you will want to check your automobile upholstery thoroughly for any tears, rips and stains. Be sure to check under the floor mats and in between the seats. If your car has a convertible top, it should be inspected carefully as well. Take notes of everything that needs to be repaired before calling the auto upholstery repair shop.

Kids and pets can damage automobile upholstery without you even realizing that there is a problem. Carefully inspect leather seats for small punctures, and cloth tops for small tears. You will also want to check your upholstery thoroughly for stains if kids and pets ride frequently in your vehicle.

If you have been in a car accident then there could be damage to both the outside and the inside of your vehicle. Windshield glass can get into all of the tiny cracks and crevices of your vehicle and will need to be cleaned out thoroughly. There might also be damage caused by debris from the accident that made contact with the seats or floors.

If you sleep or lounge out in your car very often then the auto upholstery will probably require some repair. The weight of our bodies wears down car seats over time, making them appear older and worn. Also, oils or moisturizers from your hair and skin can quickly transfer onto car seats causing stains that are very difficult to remove.

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Is Your Classic Car’s Interior Restorable?

carol — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 17:41:41 +0000

Is Your Classic Car’s Interior Restorable?

Restoring a classic car is enjoyable for many people. It typically takes a lot of hard work, time and money, but most will agree that it’s all worth it in the end. Whether you are restoring a classic car for you to drive, sell or show, the interior of the vehicle is just as important as the outside when it comes to restoration. The condition of restorable classic cars can vary widely and it’s important to understand the potential problems that can occur with a classic car’s interior.

One major problem with classic car interiors is that the stitching and vinyl can harden or dry out over time, even if the classic car has a seemingly perfectly preserved interior. Although the upholstery might look as good as it did when it was on the showroom floor, if it is thirty to fifty years old chances are pretty good that after sitting on it a few times, the seams will start to come apart and any cloth inserts will start to tear immediately. The only way to escape this problem is if the car has been stored at room temperature and has never been exposed to direct sunlight. Storage location can tell you a lot about the condition of a classic car’s interior. For instance vehicles stored in barns might have damage from mice and other small rodents. They can leave the seats so torn up on the underside that there will be nothing left to re-use when the seats are re-upholstered. Typically the smell in these vehicles will be so bad that the only way to effectively get rid of it is to discard everything except for the seat frames.

Well preserved interior and upholstery can be dealt with in a few different ways, but if your vehicle’s upholstery has suffered from damage caused by rodents then you must decide if you are better off finding another set of seats or if the upholstery materials are available for your classic car. The molded foam inserts are likely to be the most difficult to find if your choice of classic car is not a common one. In most cases you will find upholstery materials are available only to businesses that carry a business license and tax ID number. You might be able to find a supplier willing to sell to you but you will pay quite a bit on the materials and spend several hours on the work, whereas a professional re-upholsterer will save you valuable time and guarantee your satisfaction with the finished classic car interior.

Almost everywhere you look you can find reproduction kits for most classic cars. These kits are extremely affordable in comparison to hiring a professional however you will definitely see a difference in quality. A professional re-upholsterer is likely to replace everything from the springs to the seat coverings and everything in between. If you install an interior kit yourself instead of replacing all the upholstery materials, your interior might appear new, but you will be left with problems such as seat sag where the springs are weak and the foam is compressed from years of someone sitting in the driver’s seat.

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Restoring Antique Car Interiors

carol — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 17:19:58 +0000

Restoring Antique Car Interiors

Everyone enjoys the look of classic cars. However antique car interiors are prone to damage over time making them appear less than desirable. Rips and tears in the dashboard are extremely common as leather ages, especially if the leather has not been properly cared for. Leather is prone to cracking from drying out as well as from direct sunlight. Moisture that has formed on old carpets can turn into mildew, causing unsightly stains and odor. A few inexpensive techniques are all it usually takes to restore an antique car interior, beautify the vehicle and possibly even increase its value.

Start by mixing about four capfuls of gentle liquid laundry detergent with half a bucket of warm water and stir until bubbles form.
While wearing gloves, dip a soft bristled brush into the bucket and rub vinyl seats with the soapy mixture. Scrub only in areas where the vinyl isn’t fragile such as hard to reach areas that have not been exposed to sunlight. Concentrate on stubborn grime in the corners of seats, especially if they have piping.
Pour out the dirty water and repeat the process, rinsing the brush thoroughly before using it again.
Dry vehicle seats with a clean, dry towel.
Next, apply a generous amount of leather cleaner to a soft, dry cloth. Rub the surface of the leather seats and upholstery thoroughly.
Repeat the process with a different cloth.
Apply a generous amount of leather conditioner to a soft cloth and gently rub the surface of the leather.
Let it sit for an hour and then polish the leather by buffing any excess conditioner away with a clean, dry cloth.
Other types of antique car upholstery can be cleaned with the help of a spray on upholstery cleaner made specifically for use on car interiors.
Spray upholstery cleaner all over the upholstery, including the carpeting. Do not over spray floors as they are much harder to dry than seats.
For old, set in stains, spray with upholstery cleaner and allow it to sit for half an hour.
Gently scrub upholstery with a clean, dry scrub brush until stains and surface dirt are lifted.
Repeat as necessary.
To repair small tears in leather or vinyl, use the appropriate patch kit. The patch must match the color of the interior exactly and the directions on the patch kit should be followed thoroughly.
Large tears, cracks or rips that cannot be easily repaired will require the help of a professional that is used to working with classic cars.

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How to Clean Car Interiors with Common Household Items

carol — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 17:16:13 +0000

How to Clean Car Interiors with Common Household Items

Stains on vehicle upholstery happen no matter how hard you try to avoid them. Car upholstery must be cleaned regularly. However, you don’t have to run out and purchase expensive cleaners. Common household items can be used to clean and condition all types of vehicle upholstery, even leather. Cleaning vehicle upholstery naturally with household items not only saves money but protects the upholstery from harsher cleaning chemicals. Of course individual upholstery materials respond differently to different cleaners, so care should always be taken when trying homemade cleaners. Always test an inconspicuous area first to see how the upholstery will react.

To Clean Leather Upholstery:

For general cleaning of leather upholstery, mix one part vinegar with two parts raw linseed oil. Using a lint-free white cloth, rub the mixture onto the leather upholstery to clean and condition the fabric.
To remove mold or mildew on leather upholstery, mix one part rubbing alcohol and one part water. Use a lint-free white cloth to remove existing mold and mildew and then allow it to dry with ventilation rather than direct sunlight.
To remove stains from leather upholstery, rub toothpaste onto stains and rub off with a lint-free cloth.
For more stubborn stains on leather upholstery, spray aerosol hairspray directly onto the stain and wipe off. You may have to repeat this several times for extremely stubborn stains.

To Clean Vehicle Carpet:

Sprinkle clove, cinnamon and baking soda on the carpet and then allow it to sit for five to ten minutes. Vacuum the carpet.
To clean stains in vehicle carpets, mix three quarts of hot water with one cup of vinegar and two teaspoons of castile soap. Gently work the mixture into the stain with gloved hands. Rinse the area by blotting it with a clean, damp cloth and allow it to dry. Repeat if necessary.

To Clean Stains From Cloth Upholstery:

Rub butter onto the stain and leave it in the sun for two to three days. Wash the area with warm water and soap and allow it to dry thoroughly.
Another method is to spray aerosol hairspray directly on to the stain and wipe off with a clean damp cloth. Allow it to dry completely.
For extremely stubborn stains, apply nail polish remover with a cotton ball directly to the stain. Rinse with soap and warm water and allow the area to dry thoroughly.

To Clean Hard Surfaces:

Combine one cup of olive oil with half a cup of lemon juice in a spray bottle.
Spray the mixture directly on to the dashboard and other hard surfaces.
Wipe with a clean, dry cloth.
Repeat with another clean, dry cloth to complete the drying process.

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How to Clean Water and Mildew from Car Carpet

carol — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 11:58:08 +0000

How to Clean Water and Mildew from Car Carpet

The interior of your vehicle might become wet for a number of reasons. Something might have been spilled inside, or a window might have been left open on a rainy day. Perhaps there was flooding due to heavy rain, and you were forced to drive through, flooding your vehicle in the process. Whatever the cause, leaving this wetness unattended for even a few hours can lead to mildew on your vehicle’s carpets. This mildew smells awful and can become very difficult to remove. If the carpet in your vehicle has become wet, you must take action as soon as possible.

The first thing that you must do is dry the carpet. One effective way of doing this is to line the entire carpet with towels. The towels will not absorb all of the water, but will get the worst of it. A wet dry vacuum can also be extremely useful in this type of situation. While drying the carpet, make sure that all of the vehicle’s doors are left open, and if possible, the vehicle should be parked in direct sunlight.
After the carpet is mostly dry, you will need to search for mildew in order to remove it. Look for mildew stains, which are typically white dots and spots found on the carpet. To effectively remove these mildew stains, you will need to purchase a mildew cleaner that is approved for use on automobile carpets. The carpet cleaner should be mixed with water at a 50/50 ratio. Dampen a rag or sponge in the cleaning solution and scrub the stains in the carpet. Continue scrubbing until all of the stain has been removed. Once the entire carpet has been cleaned, spray a nice coat of hydrogen peroxide over the carpet to further clean it and prepare it for a more complete drying.
When all of the stains have been successfully removed and the carpet has been coated with hydrogen peroxide, leave the car under the sun to allow the carpet to dry naturally. The doors and windows must be left open during drying to allow the moisture to escape the vehicle.

If after cleaning, the unpleasant odor persists, then an open container filled with charcoal can be placed in the car, or a light coat of vinegar can be applied to the carpet. Either of these remedies should absorb and eliminate the undesirable odors.

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