8 replies to this topic

[Minisniper]

Hiya folks.
I am in the middle of cleaning my seats and there is an oil mark on one of them, the seats themselves are covered in velour so my question is what is the best thing to get it off?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

[Big_Adam]

I've always been told petrol is the best way to remove oil from cloth. Then again that was my overalls so ... no idea.

[Pavel]

Yup, petrol is the best way to remove it, but then you have to figure out a way to remove petrol smell from the cloth! I'd first try the safer methods... a Tide "marker".. it's like a little pen that has laundry detergent in it and you just rub it over. After that, depending on the fabric I've had quite good success with a fairly concentrated solution of fairy liquid in warm-hot water (try and actually use something like fairy rather than tesco value detergent), get a little bit onto the area to get it soaked and then use either a soft tooth brush or something similar to work it, follow with a sponge, then soak it all up by rubbing with a paper towel. Repeat several times. Chances are you'll still have a very faint stain if it's a light interior, on darker ones it should be less noticeable.
If it's still there you can try petrol but VERY small amounts and immediately soak it out using the detergent solution.
In either case afterwards get one of those interior fabric cleaner sprays (aerosol) that foams up and then you vacuum it up.

I've had varying degrees of success with these methods depending on fabric, but on some seats it will be pretty much impossible to get an oil stain out.

One thing to note with velour is it is very easily damaged, try out anything you're going to do on an area where you can't see it first, in case it causes problems!!! You've been warned.

[mwalsh]

I use the absolutely brilliant stuff called Folex. I've never found anything quite like it for removing oil stains.

I had one of those 4qt bottles of oil fall over in my car, leaking and leaving an oil spot (that was admittedly clean oil) about the size of football on the carpet. For several years I simply covered the stain with a mat, but when I used Folex it went away! Like Magic!

I'm not entirely sure it's not sold your side of the pond, so it's almost not even worth mentioning. But you could email the company and inquire:

Folex

[Pavel]

On their site it says not available in other countries or canada yet

[cambiker71]

Aerosol brake cleaner does the trick. Spray on to a clean duster or similar then rub the stain, spray a little on to the stain directly if needed, it evaporates quickly too and is designed to not attack plastic or rubber so won't damage the material. Used it often, good for removing pen marks too

This stuff would be fine, similar available in any car accessory shop.
http://cgi.ebay.co.u...=item3ef6f146d1

P.s. petrol leaves a nasty yellow stain, take my word for it

Edited by cambiker71, 23 October 2009 - 02:13 PM.

[xBR4DLEY]

I used some unipart cleaner but not sure which one was good though

[Cooperman]

Brake & clutch cleaner works well. I even got some oil off a good suit jacket with that stuff.

[taffy1967]

I've heard that paint thinners are good for getting oil and marks off the headlining (except for MK1 Mini brocade type headlining though).

I don't know if it would be suitable for seat fabric though?