Seat Restorer - Interlagos Seats

[rdfcpete]

Gave the car a very mini detail on Saturday and used AG interior spray (the light green logo) on the Interlagos seats. I've got the heated standard GTI Interlagos seats.

It all looked fine once damp so I left it. I then got a small bucket of cool water, went over them with a jiffy cloth once damp and left them to dry. When I came to hoover them after once dry, the drivers side was looking quite exhausted and didn't look like it had just been washed as such.

What can I use as a quality upholstery restorer on them? The passenger side isn't too bad but I want to keep them in the best condition as possible.

Something that will bring the factory colour back to them will be ideal please 







Thanks.

[Gene Hunt]

My old GTI was the same,even after a proffesional seat valet. On my ED 30 08 reg i use a seat cover now when in my work gear.

[Greeners]

The product is pretty good you are using, maybe it's your method?

A brush is best to get the best from the cleaner. 

[rdfcpete]

The product is pretty good you are using, maybe it's your method?

A brush is best to get the best from the cleaner. 

Probably is to be honest Nath! 

What's a good order then, perhaps dampen the the seats first?
Which brush should I use, an MF one? Presumably it needs to be soft?

[Greeners]

I'd just spray the area thoroughly and work a brush into it then wipe over with an MF cloth.

I bought a decent Megs brush from halfords the other week that would be perfect for the job as it has two differing types of bristle. 

[alexperkins]

Get a can or two of AG High Foam interior shampoo - thatll get rid of dirt, watermarks and all other kinds of mess you can get on fabric. Brilliant stuff - I swear by it for car interiors.

[SimonBash]

What Alex said, or Autosmart brisk is a nice foaming product that leaves a nice smell too, readily available on ebay etc.

If you can get hold of a wet vac even better, best extraction of dirt etc saves using a microfibre to wipe away the dirt.

I'm doing mine soon so will post up some pics to show the results, method etc.

[rdfcpete]

Thanks for all the recommendations on products chaps.

I'd just spray the area thoroughly and work a brush into it then wipe over with an MF cloth.

I bought a decent Megs brush from halfords the other week that would be perfect for the job as it has two differing types of bristle.  

Thanks chief. I just found a similar brush on eBay as my local Wilco Car Master didn't do it.

Get a can or two of AG High Foam interior shampoo - thatll get rid of dirt, watermarks and all other kinds of mess you can get on fabric. Brilliant stuff - I swear by it for car interiors.

Is that one just a more intense version of this Alex?

What Alex said, or Autosmart brisk is a nice foaming product that leaves a nice smell too, readily available on ebay etc.

If you can get hold of a wet vac even better, best extraction of dirt etc saves using a microfibre to wipe away the dirt.

I'm doing mine soon so will post up some pics to show the results, method etc.

^ Look forward to seeing the results too Simon  
Do you have to apply any of the products quite thickly', i.e. you cover all of the upholstery on show?

[alexperkins]

I generally apply it so its a good even coverage, work it in with a fine brush and then wipe it off with a damp j-cloth and leave it to dry - works every time

That other AG interior shampoo is more designed for carpeted areas from my experience

[Drapoon]

Pete,

I use the exact same interior shampoo from Ag you use.

I first spray liberally on the interior & leave it to dwell for 5-10 mins then get a hot bowl of water & a microfibre cloth & agitate the seats & scrub lightly (not to hard as the upholstery is quite delicate in a gti & can fray & fluff pretty easily!), keep washing the cloth in the bowl of water & wringing as you go. The bowl of water should go an off brown if your removing the dirt. Grab another bowl of water & repeat until your getting clear water then you know there is no dirt left on the seats.

I have access to a wet vac if you so need it but I wouldn't think your that much of a mucky pup.....

[rdfcpete]

^ Cheers Draper 

It was of course you who recommended it. I think the product is sound, however just as Nathan and you have pointed out it's my method that's contributing to weak results.

Is it better to dampen the seats first before applying any product?
I was going to ask you this when I next saw you tbh. Hopefully a wet vac won't be needed in this case, just some good old manual application 

[Drapoon]

You can wet the seats prior to spraying the solution if you like.
I've found the key is to soak the seat equally with solution and water that way when it drys you don't end up with a patchy mess.....

Even the cleanest looking interiors you can pull some real cr*p out if you try hard enough, the 1st go on my seats left the water nearly black

[stealthwolf]

I bought a decent Megs brush from halfords the other week that would be perfect for the job as it has two differing types of bristle. 

I just bought the same brush a couple of weeks back. Didn't get a chance to use it yet.