Nothing quite ruins the look of a nice car than a grubby, odd-smelling and run-down, interior. Luckily, before your interior gets into such a condition, there are warning signs that it may be time to look into a bit of preventative maintenance or perhaps replace a few bits and pieces. In this article, we are going to look at a few of the commonly encountered signs that your interior may need a bit of a spruce up, and what can be done to remedy each case.
Why Is My Steering Wheel Sticky or Slippery?
If you find that you have a hard time gripping your steering wheel then it may be due to a buildup of oily substances on the gripping surface of the wheel. Sometimes it can be sorted out with a good clean using a decent interior and trim cleaner, however it may be time for either a new wheel, or a steering wheel cover. At the opposite end of the spectrum is the other common issue with tired and well-used steering wheels; a horrible sticky coating. Sometimes this too can be cleared up with a good cleaning, however more often than not, it is actually caused by the steering wheel surface gradually breaking down over time and due to exposure to the harsh sun. In this case, there's no real solution other than to either use a steering wheel cover or to replace the wheel itself.
Why Is My Dashboard Cracked?
This is a commonly encountered problem in sunny countries. Over time, the plastics used in dashboards become brittle and weak, and the foam beneath the surface begins to break down as well. As it breaks down, the foam contracts, which stretches the brittle outer surface and results in unsightly cracks appearing. The other major downside to the cracks, besides how horrible they look, is that the interior foam begins to exude an oily residue that builds up on your windscreen - making it foggy and difficult to see through. Replacing entire dashboards is a costly and difficult process, so it is better to prevent cracks from ever appearing in the first place. Before a dashboard cracks, it may begin to fade or discolour - a tell-tale sign that it's time to act. Luckily, this isn't so hard to do; there are a few very easy, and cost-effective methods for protecting your dashboard from the elements. The first, is to apply protectant fluid to your dash, interior trim and plastics. These solutions are specifically formulated to act as a sort of sunscreen for your dashboard and other interior trim pieces, and will also have the added benefit of giving your interior vinyl, rubber and plastic a nice shiny lustre. The next thing to use is a sun-shade. Simply by blocking the sun from ever hitting your dashboard when your car is parked outside, can go a long way towards extending the life of your interior. The other simple solution is to use a dashmat. Dashmats are form-fitted to a large variety of different makes and models, and so will easily fit into place and protect your dashboard from the elements. They will also prevent sun glare and reflections, and will protect your dash from other damage too.
Why Are My Seats Cracking?
One of the first interior areas that your car will begin to wear out is on the seats - particularly in the seat bolsters. Leather or vinyl seats may begin to go brittle and hard, or develop cracks, whereas cloth seats may begin to tear, or will start to fade and wear through. Worn or damaged seats can be unsightly and uncomfortable, but luckily there are a few solutions to wear and tear on your car seats. The first solution, as always, is prevention, and there are a few different ways that you can prevent damage from occurring. Leather in particular tends to dry out over time, so it's important to apply a conditioner to help maintain the elasticity and softness of your seat fabric, but there are also protectant, conditioning and cleaning solutions available for any interior fabric. The other solution is to use seat covers - with covers, you can improve comfort as well as protect the original upholstery. Most seat covers come in universal fitments, and can be easily adjusted to fit your seats, so are a quick and simple way to protect your seats before they get worn, or to cover up unsightly rips or fading after the fact.
Why Does My Interior Smell Musty?
There are a various reasons why your interior might smell bad. The first and most obvious is cleanliness - if you've had old coffee spilled on the carpet, or something even worse trodden into your floor mats, it can be a real pain to get rid of the lingering foul smell. You can use air-fresheners and odour blockers to help get rid of any lingering smells - though it's always best to sort out the source of any bad smell. To that end, the best thing to do is to clean out any rubbish from inside your car, give the car a good vacuum, and apply an interior and upholstery cleaner. There are vacuum cleaners that are specifically designed for workshop and automotive use, and can be used wet or dry - perfect for cleaning your upholstery. Remember to let your car fully dry out as well - dampness is a major cause of bad odours, and persistent dampness and musty odours may indicate a problem with your weather seals.
Why are my Floor Mats Slippery?
If your floor mats are slippery, or they move around and bunch up under the pedals, then they present a real safety risk as they can potentially bunch up under your pedals and prevent braking, or jam your throttle on. If your mats are worn through, then they won't protect the carpet beneath as well as they should either, so be sure to swap them out for new ones if they move or are frayed and worn.
Discoloured or Frayed Seat Belts
It pays to periodically check on the condition of your seat belts - particularly on older cars that may have had a lifetime of sun damage, as well as wear and tear. Fraying, discolouration and damage to your seat belts are usually clear indicators that their ability to function safely and properly may be compromised and if your seat belts display these symptoms then it is important that you replace them. After all, maintaining the interior of your vehicle isn't always just about looks and comfort, but safety as well.
*Important information* - Click here to read more about our How-To terms and conditions.