BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — In Professional Carwashing & Detailing’s upcoming July feature, “New innovation in interior express detailing,” Prentice St. Clair, contributing writer, discusses common problems with interior express detailing and an effective solution to these issues to ensure a job well done and satisfied customers.
For the exclusive sneak peak of this July feature, we will take a closer look at the “wet return.”
“The biggest problem with interior express services that I see is what I call the ‘wet return,’” explains St. Clair. “A customer asks for the express carpet shampoo option on the menu, and after the service is complete, the customer is left with wet mats stacked in the trunk and wet carpeting in the car. This does not seem like a convenient service to me.”
St. Clair continues that this issue is also prevalent for fabric seats. “The upholstery covers foam bolsters that essentially become sponges to soak up whatever liquids are present. This is why fabric seats are damp after using an extractor,” he adds.
He notes that this foam can also result in reappearing stains after a deep cleaning with an extractor because the foam holds on to whatever has spilled on the fabric. Once the seat begins to dry, some of the remaining residue from the spill may migrate back out of the foam and into the cloth.
According to St. Clair, the solution to avoid this wet return is by using an industrial-grade dry vapor steam machine, which produces hot steam usually above 300° F. This hot vapor, reports St. Clair, has strong cleaning power but low water content, and can kill microorganisms on contact.
“The biggest benefit to the express customer is the carpets and seats are virtually dry upon return,” asserts St. Clair. “There are two reasons for this. First, the steam machine is only infusing moisture into the top of the carpet or cloth fibers. Second, the amount of water used is a fraction of what is used by an extractor.”
For more information on interior express detailing and using a dry vapor steam machine, be sure to stay tuned for this detailing feature in the July issue.
St. Clair also wrote about exterior express detailing in the May issue. You can find that article here.
While you wait for the July issue, peruse through the June issue here.
