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Sat May 05, 2018 7:00 pm

Hi All,

During recent shipping, my '52 arrived with a small but annoying grease smudge on the front of the driver's seat (see pic.). Can anyone offer advice on how to remove grease from the delicate original wool upholstery?

Many thanks,

Rob

Sat May 05, 2018 11:59 pm

babymorty wrote: Hi All,

During recent shipping, my '52 arrived with a small but annoying grease smudge on the front of the driver's seat (see pic.). Can anyone offer advice on how to remove grease from the delicate original wool upholstery?

Many thanks,

Rob

Hi, what is it? fat?
For fat you can use brakecleaner and a airpistol

Sun May 06, 2018 5:59 am

I have 52 split seats & they are in good condition for there age. The only problem is that they are dirty. What is the best things to use

Sun May 06, 2018 6:10 am

I would start with something less extreme, maybe white vinegar and hydrogen -peroxide and a soft bristle brush

good luck,

Sun May 06, 2018 8:04 am

when i worked in car detail we used lacquer thinner for grease. but not dirt if any glue close we used paint thinner. on rag.

Sun May 06, 2018 9:11 am

I've had pretty good success with K2r.

Sun May 06, 2018 1:17 pm

I was once in the carpet cleaning business and used a great small stain remover for carpet - grease stains, grape juice on white carpet, all stains... from a business that sells carpet cleaning supplies or a general janitorial supply business... try Citra Quick.... is a known fact that citrus extract is a killer stain remover - Google it.

Personally, i'd want my seat coverings to get soiled. So, eventually, I would have normal looking 70 year old seats and wouldn't care 'bout a little dirt... or try Citra Quick... smells real nice too.

Sun May 06, 2018 4:06 pm

Acrysol. Pros use it to remove grease and glue from upholstery.

Sun May 06, 2018 5:55 pm

Thanks to all for your suggestions. I’ll likely try one of the milder agents first, and then see if I need one of the stronger chemicals. I suppose I’m just afraid of doing more damage than good. I’ll report back with results.

Cheers,

Rob D.

Sun May 06, 2018 9:47 pm

Remember the bathtub from "The Cat in the Hat"... Ha! :shock:

Mon May 07, 2018 2:07 am

babymorty wrote: Thanks to all for your suggestions. I’ll likely try one of the milder agents first, and then see if I need one of the stronger chemicals. I suppose I’m just afraid of doing more damage than good. I’ll report back with results.

Cheers,

Rob D.
... I think your approach is a sound one

Mon May 07, 2018 8:53 am

I would first try using an iron on * setting with a piece of clean paper between the iron and the seat fabric. the iron melts the grease and the paper absorbs it.
do you have any comeback against the shipping company?

Mon May 07, 2018 11:04 am

That's the idea with Acrysol. It is a solvent, so oil and grease will tend to 'float' to the surface. Then dab with a clean cloth. Water based cleaners leave water marks.

Mon May 07, 2018 5:22 pm

... lotz of recommendations here... i'd try to reproduce the grease marks elsewhere and then employ one or several methods to see which might work 4 you.

Mon May 07, 2018 7:34 pm

I'd be asking a few local dry cleaners first, vintage wool can behave oddly, see what a pro thinks would work to be safe.

Tue May 08, 2018 7:52 am

spray :D carburetor cleaner works every time

Tue May 08, 2018 2:32 pm

Babymorty, have you done anything yet?

Tue May 08, 2018 6:34 pm

I’ll be tackling it tomorrow. So many smart ideas here. I’m gonna start with what seems like the least drastic idea: the “iron and paper” remedy. If that doesn’t work, I’ll go to a waterless solvent like carb cleaner or acrysol (if I can find it). I’ll post pics of the results. Wish me luck; I’m already nervous.

Cheers,

Rob D.

Tue May 08, 2018 7:12 pm

finster wrote: Do you have any comeback against the shipping company?

Unfortunately not. I didn’t catch it until the driver was gone. And the company has a $750 deductible on damage claims. Hosed.

Tue May 08, 2018 7:42 pm

If for some reason you don't want to spend a few minutes consulting an expert on getting odd stains out of expensive fabrics spend some time reading old 1940's or 50's car owners manuals online, they all include a section on removing stains from upholstery, most suggest carbon tetrachloride and clean towels IIRC.