The condition of the car interior carpet says a lot about the owner of the vehicle. Those who take pride in their appearance will drive a very clean car. They will either have it professionally cleaned every couple of months or they will do it themselves on the weekend. I would suggest you do a mixture of both. Have it thoroughly cleaned every so often by the professionals and then keep it in good condition by cleaning it regularly yourself.

Use foot mats and seat covers to keep the interior of your car as clean as possible. Rubber mats are great. They are cheap, easy to install, non slip so won’t cause an accident and are extremely easy to clean. You just need to bang them on the side of the path to dislodge the dirt and then dust or wash with warm soapy water. It doesn’t get much easier than that. If you buy washable seat covers, strip them off and put them in the machine. They will be washed and dry by the time the car interior carpet has been cleaned and dried. If you don’t fancy cleaning the whole carpet every weekend, you can buy a car interior rug or two which will help reduce the amount of dirt getting through to the original upholstery.

So how do you clean the carpet in your car? Interior carpets and flooring can be a nightmare. The first thing to note is that you need to use the proper products. You want a carpet shampoo. Using ordinary detergent may get the stains out but you will be cleaning up suds for hours. Never use more than the recommended amount. Also go easy on the water. There are a lot of electronic devices in an automobile and electronics and water do not make good companions. Pick a warm day to wash your car interior carpet so that it can dry quickly.

Before you start washing, get the vacuum out. Remove as much dirt as possible as dry dirt is so much easier to get rid of. You will have to follow the directions on the bottle of car shampoo but you generally rub it in with a brush. Some cans may have a brush in the cap but you are probably better off using a proper cleaning brush. After you have put the shampoo on, work it gently into any stubborn stains. Leave for a couple of minutes to work but not too long to dry in. Take a piece of clean cotton or similar material and rub the area dry. Don’t use a cloth that sheds fibers as you will spend hours picking them out again. Go gently as you do not want to damage the threads of the car interior carpet. Once you have done this, leave the carpet to dry and see what result you have got. You may have to treat some of the stains a couple of times.

If you notice when cleaning the automobile that the car carpet needs replacing don’t worry as this is not a huge job. You can replace a car interior carpet yourself or get the local auto store guys to do it for you. It is not an expensive job. There are plenty of discount car carpets on sale and you should be able to negotiate a good deal at the garage if you pay cash.

A clean car interior carpet needs to be accompanied by clean dashboards not to mention shiny wheels and paintwork. The outside of the automobile is very easy to clean as you can cheat and go to the car wash. Follow up the wash with a good polish and use newspapers on the windows to give the glass a brilliant shine. The interior headliner and car interior trim parts are not as easy. But a little patience and a lot of elbow grease will do the job. If you live in an area of weather extremes, always treat the dashboard with protector after you have finished cleaning.

Car seats, the car interior carpet and other accessories will come up nice and clean and this will leave your car smelling fresh. Keep the smell constant by using one of the many car air fresheners on sale. They even sell ones that give out a new car smell you associate with brand new motors.

If you own an antique automobile, be careful cleaning the car interior carpet. These old fabrics can be fragile and it is often expensive to replace them authentically so proceed with caution. As with a newer car, always use the vacuum first to lift out most of the dirt. Don’t jump in with an abrasive sponge to clean stubborn stains. Instead try cleaning with some hot soapy water and a gentle cloth and see how you get on. You may have to accept some stains won’t come out but they may add to the character of the car. After all most people don’t expect an antique to look shiny and new like a new car should.

Pet seat covers are a must if you regularly travel with animals in your car. People will tell you that you don’t need them if you use a pet carrier but I believe you do. If you have ever owned a pet, you will know that their hairs can get everywhere even when you transport them in the special cages. It is so much easier to take the pet covers out of the car and clean them than having to worry about cleaning the car interior upholstery.

Car safety is vital when travelling with your pet and investing in pet seat covers is only one thing you should do. You should also invest in a pet friendly harness to keep your animal safe. This not only helps to prevent death or injury if you are in an accident but it also stops your dog coming into the driving seat to say hello which might be a slight distraction!

It amazes me how often people will leave animals in a car while they go to a restaurant or cafe on route. Your dog or cat can overheat extremely quickly especially in a hot car with the windows closed up. If you leave the windows open, they can be tempted to get out of the car not because they are disobedient but they may be frightened because they are in a strange place and want to be with their masters. When taking your animals on long journeys always keep their welfare at the top of your agenda. That means taking them out of the car to stretch their legs and have comfort breaks and providing them with plenty of water especially if the temperatures are hot.

You can buy universal pet seat covers or those made for a specific brand of car for example, BMW pet seat covers. Travelling with pets can be difficult but you will make life a lot easier for everyone if you make your animal as comfortable as possible.

When traveling with dogs, dog car seat covers come in a variety of sizes. Alternatively you could use a dog carrier. If you own a big dog such as a German shepherd or Golden Retriever, you may struggle to find a pet carrier large enough to fit them. They will be much more comfortable travelling on the back seat instead. Pet seat covers will not only protect your car’s upholstery from being ruined by pet hair or sharp claws, they will also protect your pet by preventing them from falling off the seat if you have to make an emergency stop.

If you own a small animal such as a cat or small breed of dog then you are probably safer using a pet carrier in your car. I would put the pet seat covers on just in case. The carrier will transport your animal in safety and in comfort as they are large enough for the animal to move around in. They prevent your pet from moving around the car and becoming a distraction when you are driving. If your pet is scared of travelling, give them their favorite toy or blanket to help make them feel secure. If this is the first time your pet will be going on a long journey in the car, get them used to the pet carrier in your home first before introducing it in the car.

If you own a pampered pooch you can buy them a special car seat similar to an infant baby seat. This will allow them to sit up and enjoy the journey beside you but they are a lot more expensive than pet seat covers. You may not be convinced that your animal wants to sit in one position for the entire trip anyway.

Animal car seat covers come in a range of styles and prices. Some are waterproof which is a great idea especially for long journeys as any pet can have an accident. If you have an older pet, they may be becoming slightly incontinent so waterproof protection is a must. You may also want to buy a pet travel ramp to help them get into and out of the vehicle particularly if it is a 4 by 4 or similar model that sits high up off the ground.

If you are traveling by truck you can buy pet seat covers for trucks too so your animal can travel in safety and comfort. It is worth noting that if you take any pet on your travels, that animal should be healthy, up to date with his vaccinations and be properly tagged. You are more at risk of losing a pet in unfamiliar surroundings than you would be at home. Also buy some pet travel insurance cover just in case he gets ill and needs medical attention when you are away. Pet seat covers are a great idea for any animal lover but they are one element of the things you need to consider when taking animals on road trips.

There are numerous auto interior accessories you can buy to add style to your car. Some people never change a thing when they buy a new automobile while others change virtually everything right down to the paint color. Adding some additional auto interior accessories to the interior will help to make the car more comfortable as well as giving it a sense of style.

Buying a front window heat shield is a great idea. They are very inexpensive and require no installation. You can often move them from car to car if you own similar sized cars. They will protect your car’s interior from the damage that sunlight can cause. They will also prevent your automobile becoming too hot which will save on air conditioning and corresponding fuel costs. Adding a tint to your windows will also keep the car cool but will cost more than buying the window shield. But once the job is done it should last for a long time.

Custom interior lighting is another area that you can improve on by checking out the range of auto interior accessories. There are a variety of options you can choose from to add something different to your automobile. Steering wheel covers great auto interior accessories if your hands get burnt every time you try to drive. These come in various colors and styles with leopard skin being a popular option. Choose a non slip fabric that doesn’t cause your hands to sweat. Think cotton rather than polyester.

Seat covers are an inexpensive way to keep the original upholstery in good condition. They come in a variety of styles and colors from sheepskin to leather and prints to pictures of Disney princesses. The type you buy will depend on whether you have children or pets that travel in the car on a regular basis. Buying washable ones that are easy to remove will make your life easier. Any store that caters for the auto interior accessories market will carry a range of car seat covers.

Foot mats are a necessity and should be purchased for all cars regardless of whether or not it is a new vehicle. They will keep the carpets cleaner and will make the chore of cleaning out your car on a weekly basis much easier. It is much easier to replace a set of mats than it is to replace the interior carpet. Always buy the right fit for your model of car and not just the cheapest on offer. Anti slip pads are safer as this should stop your shoes getting tangled in the mat.

When thinking about auto interior accessories don’t forget the carpet. You can clean the carpet but if it is covered in stains or damaged you might think of replacing it. You can easily change the carpet in your automobile and in the process achieve a brand new look. Getting rid of smelly old carpets will help smarten up the appearance and probably the smell in your car as well. Buy an air freshener at the same time to keep the new car smell in your car.

Elegant car accessories will help to make your new or second hand car feel more like yours. If your friends have given you custom auto parts as presents, you will think of them whenever you drive. If you know someone who is buying a new car, custom auto accessories make a lovely thoughtful gift. There may be things they would like to change but having paid for the new car; they may not have sufficient dollars left over.

Auto interior accessories is a huge market. Forget fluffy dice and instead think of new sound systems, DVD players etc. If you regularly go on long drives with children, having a DVD player on the back of the driver and passenger seats will keep the kids entertained for hours. This will help prevent the tiresome squabbles and cries of “are we nearly there yet?”

If you like your sounds, you could invest in a new car stereo system. Unless you buy a top of the range car, the sound system is likely to be very basic. You can enhance it relatively easily by adding new speakers, a subwoofer and other accessories. You should replace the stereo unit too. You can probably do all of these jobs yourself but if you have limited DIY skills, you should ask a mechanic to do it for you. It is an inexpensive job and you can shop around for quotes.

Vehicle parts and accessories are found online and in your local automobile store. The prices of items will vary and usually you will find good deals if you shop around. If you buy online, use a recognized retailer and be careful when giving out details of your credit cards. Auto interior accessories make great presents both for yourself and your family and friends.

If you like your car and want to keep it in top condition, automotive seat covers are a necessity. They will protect the upholstery from being damaged due to spillages or other accidents. This means that you should be able to avoid having to repair or completely reinstall the upholstery at considerable expense.

If you have leather seats, you will know that while they look great, they can be uncomfortable. Just ask any lady how it feels to sit on a leather seat when it is extremely hot and you are wearing a skirt. Automotive seat covers will prevent your passengers being burnt, a very important consideration if you have children. On the subject of kids, do yourself a favor and invest in some machine washable car seat covers. They will make traveling much less stressful as you won’t care if the children drop something on the seat. You know you can just remove them, wash them and put them back on for the next journey.

Some people love sheepskin automotive seat covers as they are warm in winter but cool in summer. They may help the children sleep on long journeys too which is always a blessing. They are machine washable too. You can get the original color or buy the dyed or patterned variety. Another option suitable for kids is the poly cotton covers. These wear very well and can be washed again and again. They are soft to touch and pleasant to sit on in all weather conditions.

Even if you don’t have children, automotive seat covers are a great idea as they will protect the cars original upholstery from the sun as well as general wear and tear. Depending on where you live, the sun can be strong enough to bleach your leather or vinyl seats. Just driving your car everyday will cause a certain amount of wear and tear so it is best to protect against this.

When deciding on the type to go for, you should check that the automotive seat covers you select are UV resistant, color fast and snug fitting. Don’t let price be the only determining factor. Often the cheapest product will work out the most expensive in the long run as they will need to be replaced when they fall apart after a couple of washes.

If you have a pet and take them in the car, do yourself a favor and install some car seat covers first. We all know that pet hair is difficult to remove from the home. It is much worse when trying to get it out of your car. Being able to take the covers off to give them a good vacuum using the pet hair remover brush appliance will make your life so much easier. If you carry your pets regularly you should think about getting covers that are claw proof so your interiors do not get damaged.

When choosing the style of automotive seat covers you want, you will find they come in two types of size. These are universal and custom made. Universal ones will suit all makes and models of cars but will not give you an exact fit. Custom made are the better option as they are designed to fit your model of car exactly but they are the more expensive option. It depends on your budget as well as the model of car you drive. You can find universal car seat covers for bench, bucket or split bench seats. Whether they are a good fit or not will depend on the individual car and product. Some will come with map pockets and room for head rests depending on the brand name you buy. If you plan on buying universal choose a material such as velour as it will stretch easily meaning you should get a better fit than those made from a heavy material such as tweed. Don’t be tempted by plastic car seat covers as they don’t look good and they can also release odors.

With custom made automotive seat covers, you don’t need to worry about guesswork. The tailor made solution always shows as they fit better and as a result look better. They can improve the resale value of your car if you are considering this option. They are usually made from better quality fabrics too including velour, tweed, vinyl, synthetic and genuine leather. Most custom made providers will offer a warranty for either one or two years. The custom made option is safer as well as they will take the location of the air bags into account whereas the universal models won’t. This is especially important if you have air bags on the sides of the vehicle. If you have made any modifications to the interior such as fitting head rests or removing them, you should really opt for the custom made automotive seat covers.

It can be quite difficult finding the right auto upholstery supplies especially if you are restoring an older model car. If you want to keep the model authentic then you will need to find the same materials as originally used. Depending on the popularity of the model, this may or may not be possible. If you can’t find matching fabric, it is worth putting in new upholstery over the whole interior rather than patching the existing material with the wrong fabric.

There is a huge range of auto upholstery fabric on offer. Some cars will have leather interiors while others have carpet. Always use a reputable company when purchasing auto upholstery supplies. You should ask for discounts especially if you are buying in bulk. You should only deal with those companies that offer warranties on their products. You do not want to put all that work into restoring a vehicle only for the fabric interior to fall apart.

If you are looking to create a new look for your car’s interior, a good auto upholstery supplies shop will help you achieve this. The quickest way to put your own mark on a car is to change the seat covers. This achieves two things, one you get a clean car by throwing away the worn car seats and installing new ones. But you also make people think that the car is newer than it is especially if you use the renovation as a chance to improve the padding of the seats. This could also improve the resale value.

If however you are trying to renovate the interior of a car to return it to its former glory, you will probably need a specialist in that particular style of car. They will have access to their own auto upholstery supplies as they will be used to dealing with similar requests. It is important that the interior matches that particular model car or your renovation will be pointless as it will lack authenticity.

If you use a professional auto repair shop, they will usually carry the relevant certifications that prove they have the skills required to carry out upholstery repairs. You may be able to carry out some repairs yourself depending on your DIY skill set. You can find automotive interior repair kits in vinyl or leather and some other materials. Auto upholstery kits are a great way to find the materials you are looking for but you will still need the skill to insert them correctly into your car.

It is generally recommended to use a professional auto upholstery specialist. You may feel that you are qualified to repair your car but you can easily make things worse. You could turn a small repair job into one that costs you hundreds of dollars. The professionals have the right equipment, knowledge and experience to undertake most jobs. The average car owner wants his car to look right and work correctly. If you are restoring an old antique car, then you might want the materials used to resemble the original materials as closely as possible. Depending on what needs to be done, this could take anywhere from several weeks to a couple of months to complete.

If you are fanatical about your car and you have money to burn you may want to turn it into something completely unique to you. The right auto upholstery supplies are vital as you want to make your mark on the car and inject some of your own personality. Instead of taking the car to an auto trim store, you will take it to a specialist who will listen to what you are trying to achieve and help make your dream happen.

Once you have restored your car’s interior using auto upholstery supplies, you will need to keep it clean. If you have kids, it is worth investing in some extra car seat covers to protect your new upholstery. These covers should be machine washable and easy to remove. If you spill something like battery acid onto fabric covered seats, you can try cleaning it using baking soda. Mix a little baking soda with water to make a paste and apply the paste to the stain. Leave it for a couple of hours. The baking soda will absorb a lot of the stain similar to how salt will absorb red wine if split on a carpet. Wash out the baking soda paste and leave to dry thoroughly. Rubbing alcohol can be used to clean a number of stains but always do a patch test to check it doesn’t ruin the fabric. If you are not sure that you can take out the stain, use a specialist cleaning company.

Lipstick can be removed using non gel toothpaste. Simply rub a little of the toothpaste into the lipstick stain and gently remove. After spending money on auto upholstery supplies, the last thing you need is for it to be ruined by stains.

Chip Foose Cars

In 2007, Scott Faircloth had the good fortune to meet and spend time with none other than Chip Foose, of “Overhaulin’” fame (the TV show on TLC). They had a great time looking at custom Chip Foose wheels, discussing the overall Chip Foose design philosophy, and just hanging out in general.

Born in 1961, in Santa Barbara, California, Mr. Foose got a very early start in the automotive industry, working at his father’s company, Project Design, beginning at age seven.

After obtaining his degree from the Art Center College of Design, he went to work with both Sterenberger Design AND Boyd Coddington. After a time, he left Sterenberger and went to work for J Mays, but Coddington persuaded the young Foose to come work for him exclusively, and eventually, Foose became President of Coddington’s Company, “Hot Rods.”

Foose and Coddington parted ways in 1998, and Foose relocated to Huntington Beach, California to start his own company.

Awesome Styling – Chip Foose Wheels

His distinctive designs (and they ARE distinctive…he has been called the Michelangelo of the hot-rod world!) gained him the attention of The Learning Channel, which did a documentary on a modified ’02 Thunderbird known as the Foose Speedbird. This proved to be but the first of several innovative Chip Foose designs. There have been many others, including:

• A Chip Foose designed ’69 Camero that was slated for a limited production run of 500 by Dallas company, “Unique Performance.”
• The Hemisfear

And
• a unique take on an ’06 Mustang

Unfortunately, legal troubles for Unique Performance caused Foose to sever ties with that company.

Since then, he has gone on to work on a number of other fascinating projects, including continuing to serve as the host to the TLC Program “Overhaulin’” serving as an advisor to the “Big Three” US automakers, and developing a pact with Ford to produce Chip Foose designs.

This year, Foose and Pirelli teamed up to design and give away a customized Ford Flex.

Summary of Chip Foose Designs

’69 Camero Mod
’02 Mustang (Stallion)
The Hemisfear (Foose Coupe)
Foose Flex
The Impression
The Grandmaster
0032
Cadillac SRX
P-32
Foose ’56 Pickup
And of course,
The Speedbird

Additionally, you can (from his website, http://www.chipfoose.com) pick up any of nearly twenty Chip Foose wheels, custom designed and awesomely styled.

All of this to say that when Scott visited Chip Foose back in ’07, with their similar backgrounds and shared commitment to excellence, they had a LOT to talk about, and to this day, it’s one of Scott’s most memorable visits with a fellow custom auto upholstery specialist.

The opportunity to share a conversation and compare notes with one of the premier custom auto interiors specialists in business today was simply an unparalleled opportunity.