HOW TO PROTECT YOUR LUXURY CAR INTERIOR
So you’ve bought your dream luxury car, maybe a Porsche Boxster or a BMW Coupe. You’ve dreamed and saved for years to finally put that one special machine in your garage. Every Saturday you wash and wax and spoil your new baby on the outside. Then you take that afternoon drive and show your baby to the world. You roll down the windows, crank up the stereo, and enjoy the day.
Then you get home, close the garage door, and your baby is forgotten until next Saturday when you get up and repeat the process. It never occurs to you that you’ve forgotten a major part of her maintenance, and you’re potentially costing yourself thousands of dollars in resale value.
You forgot all about the interior.
Luxury and collectible cars aren’t like your daily driver. In order to protect the investment potential of these machines special steps must be taken, and that is doubly true with the interior. The interior of your daily driver is made to take abuse. The materials and manufacturing processes used to make the carpets, seats, and other interior parts turn out pieces that are functional, but far from luxurious in most cases. Synthetic carpets, upholstery, and accents are the norm among most builders. Such is not the case with higher end models. Most luxury cars today roll off the showroom floor adorned in hardwoods, real leather, and carpet nicer than what is on your bedroom floor. The problem with this is that the average car owner doesn’t know how to properly maintain and protect these areas. Petroleum based protection/cleaning sprays, detergents, and vacuum-cleaning do more harm than good to luxury car interiors.
First and foremost, keep your interior dry. Moisture is the hidden killer of the leathers and hardwoods in your car. After a day of driving with the windows down it’s important NOT to immediately seal your car. Instead it’s always a better idea to move the car into the garage—never leave your luxury car out in the elements—and let the temperature and humidity equalize before closing the windows in the car. It’s also a good idea to dust the car before closing the windows, but only use a dry cloth or feather duster. Chemicals in dusting agents aren’t designed for leathers or cloth. Dry dusting is the best option because of this.
It’s also important to clean upholstery as soon after a drive as possible. Dust, crumbs, dirt, etc. will work its way into soft leathers and into the gaps and crevices on your car’s seats. If the dust and debris is left in these spaces it can lead to mold and cracking of the leather. The best way of removing this dirt isn’t with a vacuum. Vacuums draw away too much of the needed moisture in fine leathers and can pull the precisely cut leather out of shape. A much better alternative is to use a soft-bristle brush to sweep the dirt and debris off the leather. Any dirt that ends up falling onto the carpets and floor mats will be easily vacuumed away.
After brushing the seats and dusting other areas it’s important to ‘feed’ your leather. Fine leathers have to be treated to ensure that they remain soft and supple and retain their color. Surprisingly your local furniture gallery might be a better place to shop for leather protection products than your auto parts store. Parts stores sell products designed for everyday cars and drivers, and don’t have the specialty products necessary to protect your new luxury car. Furniture galleries stock numerous products that will both protect and nourish the leather in your car, and keep it looking clean and new. Furniture galleries also sell products tailored to protecting fine hardwoods that will also help keep your car looking neat and will help retain its value.
Whether it’s a shiny, red Carrera or sleek Lexus sedan protect your luxury car investment. You’ve spent the money to realize your dream, now take the time and spend a little more money to keep your dream looking great and protect its investment value.
And for scheduled maintenace or repairs in Indianapolis, remember to bring your investment to EuroMotorworks, the best in Indianapolis auto repair.
Tags: Auto Repair Indianapolis, indianapolis auto repair, Luxury Car Care
