Club 80-90 Forums

Can anybody recommend a good cleaner to use on the seats of a Westy California to remove oil stains.
I seem to of transfered some oil whilst working on the engine. Its only a few 10p sized stains but it's still a stain!!
Normal carpet cleaner??

Thanks

carb cleaner is ace! but watch it dont clean it to well and leave a very clean spot!

Unless you have something which will lift the stain out of the fabric, like a spray extraction machine, then it doesn't really matter what you use. All you're going to do is spread the stain. I have a series of stain removes which all work in slightly different ways and are used in combination to lift stains such as oil or grease, but as James says you will then be left with a clean spot and have to do the rest of the upholstery anyway.

jamesc76 wrote:carb cleaner is ace! but watch it dont clean it to well and leave a very clean spot!

Brake cleaner will do a good job too

Not tried this myself on fabric but Sugar Soap does a great job on loads of things.

Thank you for your replies. Not too sure if i want to use carb cleaner though - sounds a bit harsh!
I will nip into halfords and see if they have upholstery cleaner or something appropriate.
Thanks again all for the prompt reply

I'm with Ian...Brake Cleaner! nice clean cloth, spray onto the cloth and imediately wipe the area but 'rotate' whilst wiping so you don't just spread the dirt.
Another clean bit of cloth..same again.

Triclorethylene (think thats how you spell it) used to be popular in the old days and carbontetrachloride but both got banned...don't know why..something to do with them being carciagenic lol.....passed out in the book of an XJ12 once and had to be dragged out by my feet..Carbontetrachloride lovely stuff. The things they get you to do when you're an apprentice! elf & safety...wot elf & safety? lol
Martin

I always thought my mother is an expert at getting oil stains out but actually, the solution (according to her) is very simple. You first have to break up the oil molecules and the best way to do that is good old fashioned washing up liquid worked into the stain. Then wash - ideally be shoving cover through the washing machine but as second best, a good old VAX will finish the job. Bet it all comes out. Gave her a set of overalls once that were covered in CV grease - came out absolutely spotless but it was the washing up liquid that did the deed. Hot temperatures or the wrong cleaner can actually fix the stain for good.

Thanks Covkid. Might give washing up liquid a try as we have plenty in the house.
Will also try that on my overalls too as they can nearly walk on their own!!

This applies to overalls (or anything else similarly stained with oil) to be washed. Work the washing up liquid in to the area and slightly outside it. Leave to soak in cold water for a while. Then wash normally at no hotter than 30 degrees to avoid setting the stain! This always works on overalls, absolutely no reason why it shouldn't work on seats with a VAX type tool if you bear in mind the temperature but a machine wash is best to be honest as they'll come out spotless then. Pain to remove them but at least they'd be clean. This is what Sketchley do by the way.

Ladies and Gents,
After taking your advice i did try the washing up liquid idea which was good but i have found better.
The product is Bissell carpet and upholstery cleaner, it comes in and a can with a brush attached and is excellent.
Removed the oil no problem and left the seats all fluffy, cost about £7 per can, I bought it via Amazon but also available in Robert Dyas. Highly recommended.

ok i know youve removed the stain but a good way of drawing oil out of fabric is a brown paper bag and iron over it it draws all the oil into the paper

Thats sound like something my Nan would do! And knowing me I would probably burn a big hole in the carpet.