Vacuuming

[e30_luv_]

After picking up an 1989 325i this weekend, going through the interior, it is completely filthy. In past experiences cleaning cars, I've used a simple household vacuum with an extension for getting into nooks and crannies. It seems though, that this time the vacuum won't cut it.

So...what do you use to clean your interior? What type of Vacuum do you use? Any specific brand or type to look for? I was thinking a wet-dry shop vac would suffice, but alas I'm the noob in this situation. All responses appreciated.

[Jand3rson]

I have a small ShopVac, and I freaking love the thing. They make a whole kit of car-accessories for it, too.

[dashboardmonkey]

I use the one at the car wash up the street, only because I have no shop vac.

[e30_luv_]

Thanks. I found the car accessory kit, just deciding which vac would be right. Gallons and hp is like a foreign language for me. Another q, is it conducive to shampoo the carpet while its still in the car?

[NightfoxCT]

I use a 12 gallon 1.5 hp wet/dry shop vac at work( Honda Stealership recon dept.) As long as you clean the filter every couple days it will suck up anything.

[Jand3rson]

Mine is the 10 gallon 2.5hp, and it's great. Plenty of power for use in the car, and just about everything else around the house.

[StereoInstaller1]

Use a spray bottle of "Resolve" and a soft nylon bristle brush to scrub the worst of the crud, then apply suction.

Go lightly with the spray, too.

Pull your seats out first, BTW.

[e30_luv_]

Thanks guys. Yeah I plan to do a basic interior clean up, removal of seats, scrub the carpet, vacuum out of the gunk. Thanks for the Resolve tip, same thing my mom recommended.

[monty23psk]

If you want to take it to the next level, you get a shop vac, a carpet brush, to buckets of water, one hot other room, and steam cleaner detergent. You mix the detergent with water as per instructions. Then you spray cleaner on carpter after it is a little moist, spray water and then scrub with the carpet brush. Use the hot water in between sprays. Then when the area is cleaned, vaccum the water out and scrub with the cold water. Keep repeating. I do about 3 passes with the hot and three with cold.