Groom Carpets and Floor Mats without Special Tools
by Zach McGovernI am frequently asked about the lines and patterns that many detailers include as part of their interior service. This look is often associated with a clean, just detailed interior and therefore is desired by many vehicle owners.
Most seem to assume that specialized equipment such as hot water extractors or steamers are necessary to produce this look, however that is not the case. These machines can be very useful at deep cleaning fabric, and they can certainly be used for grooming the carpet after cleaning, but they are not used on every interior service. Luckily, the same groomed appearance can be achieved with a simple stiff bristled brush.
Begin by brushing all fibers of the carpet or mat in one direction. If you are going to be adding stripes, you will want to brush the fibers in the direction that your stripes will eventually go. Once the fibers have all been brushed in a single direction, you should have a uniform looking mat (note: for those that don’t prefer a stripe, brushing all of the fibers in one direction will produce a very neat and tidy appearance as well).
Next, use your brush to create evenly spaced lines in the opposite direction that the fibers were initially brushed. The opposing brush strokes create the contrast needed for the most defined lines.
Lines can be made in all sorts of directions and will give a more completed look to your interior if that is the owner’s preferred style. The benefit to this very simple method is that you are not limited to owning big expensive equipment just for the sake of grooming carpet.
On the other hand, even if you do own extractors and steamers, not every vehicle will undergo an in depth interior service that requires their use. It is nice to be able to add these grooming lines even when the service only includes a simple vacuuming of the carpets.
Hopefully this quick tip will help to bring your interiors to the next level!
Great article! What’s the process for making the triangle’s?
Thanks – you simply move the brush forward in a diagonal path, then backward in a diagonal path the opposite direction.
That looks awesome, customers must love that attention to detail, pun intended. Very sharp looking!
Thanks, Greg 🙂 We always ask if customers prefer to have their carpets groomed… some really like it, others really do not. I personally enjoy it though.
That is some incredible attention to detail Zach! Something very simple that gives it a high end look. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Steve!
Buy the Chef-N brush vegetable scrubber and you’ll never ever need another striping tool. Best ever and cannot be beat
Zach attack does it again. Zach everything you do turns to gold. I’m impressed by the photos of your work consistently on multiple vehicles and your willingness to experiment with lighting and products. On a side note, I’m going to do a review of a new light I just got Zach, stay tuned, I’ll email you.
Thanks for the kind words!
As a new Detailer in Boynton Beach I have to say blogs like these are really helping me get new tips and tricks to easily detail cars. Thank you Zach for this new tip and I’ll report back after using it tomorrow to let you know how it worked.