Cleaning Interiors
A common problem for collision shops is cleaning interiors. Running a vacuum across the carpet has become a standard procedure in most shops, just like washing the exterior of the car. But soft drink, coffee and other liquid stains are often a result of the collision. Cup holders in the dash result in liquid splashing into dash-mounted components as well as on the seats and carpet. Judging what is normal dirt and grime and what spilled because of the collision is sometimes tricky. Asking the customer may not be tactful, but the insurance company will need some justification to authorize extra cleaning charges. Most stains are on the acidic side of the pH scale, so a mild base or alkaline cleaner will usually work. Solvent-based spot treatments should be used with care as they may wash the dye out of the carpet or cloth. Leather interiors are usually coated with a protective layer, but when cleaner is necessary, use only very mild cleaners intended for leather.
The CD player may also not be repairable if it was bombarded with sticky liquids. All possibly affected components should be checked for function.
Expert Advice
Underlying most repair or replace decisions is the need to maintain the safety of the vehicle. Many interior components must be replaced, but seats and carpet are still repairable in many cases. Butch Brunner, of Brunner’s Trim and Glass, has been in the car upholstery business in Dallas since 1959. He says things have changed a lot through the decades, but serving people’s needs is still at the center of interior work. The interior is the part of the car customers notice the most. Leather and cloth used in new vehicles are usually available by the time the new models hit the showrooms, so partial replacement of damaged seat panels is still practical. There may be some slight differences in dye batches, requiring replacing more than just the damaged panel to maintain a proper match. This may still be the most cost-effective repair plan. Air bags mounted in the sides of some seats present a challenge. Before performing repairs to upholstery on seats with installed air bag components, verify the proper repair procedure with the vehicle manufacturer.
Carpet, however, is a common problem. Often it’s necessary to obtain new carpets from either the vehicle’s OEM, or in the case of some American vehicle manufacturers, aftermarket sources. Small damaged areas, such as a cigarette burn, can be repaired by inserting a patch with an adhesive backing. The insert is taken from carpet extending under a seat or trim panel. The nap needs to be aligned to match. If the carpet is a little faded it may not be a perfect match since the portion of carpet used in the patch was not exposed to sunlight and wear. Where the damaged area is located may influence the decision to try a patch. Dyeing carpet is very difficult with today’s materials. Most field applications are just a coating on top of the fibers that makes the carpet stiff and will wear off, Brunner says.
Subletting Repairs
Subletting certain repairs is commonplace for many collision repair shop managers. Allowing someone outside the shop to perform work on a customer’s vehicle removes control of the work from shop management. It also may improve the outcome of the job. There are so many aspects to collision repair that some jobs are best left to experts. Interior work is often sent to a specialist. Someone who practices a specific craft constantly will probably be better equipped to achieve outstanding results. Knowing the quality of work is important to reduce liability concerns and maintain high customer satisfaction.
Safety Components
Seatbelts are a replacement only item. Replacement of the webbing presents liability and regulatory difficulties that make it impractical. And most often, the seatbelt retract mechanism will also be damaged. Air bag modules may not be even partially repaired. The plastic cover on the air bag is designed to allow the bag to inflate quickly. Any repair done to the cover may change the way it tears during deployment. Even applying a dye to the cover may alter the air bag’s mechanical properties. Occasionally, the modules do not match the color of the dash very well. Customers need to understand why this is beyond the control of the collision repair or upholstery shop.
Dashboards are not to be repaired in the area adjacent to the dash air bag module for the same reasons: anything less than a perfect fit and the deployment might be affected. Repairing tears or burns in dash covers is possible. Achieving an acceptable texture and color match, as well as ensuring long-term durability, are difficult. Dyeing a new or used dash cover before installing the air bag module is still an acceptable, if not often exercised, procedure. One challenge when replacing dashes is the VIN plate. They are frequently installed onto the dash with special rivets. Most manufacturers say these are available, but they may not be a stock item.
Seat frames are part of the safety system and need to be assessed for damage. The seat back frame, and/or the recline mechanism, may be bent in collisions from the front as well as the rear. A quick inspection procedure is to bring both front seats to the upright position and see if they are in line when viewed from the side. Any misalignment indicates that something is bent. This is not as reliable a test if there was a passenger in the vehicle at the time of the accident. Bent components should not be straightened. Just like a paper clip that is bent back and forth, the metal parts will not be as strong. Seat covers may not be damaged even when the frame is bent. Changing the original covers to another seat frame keeps the interior looking just like it did and provides a cost-effective repair option. Most seat covers are held in place with metal rings or plastic clips, requiring only a few special tools. Some manufacturers build head rest designs into the seat backs. These should be checked, especially in rear impacts. The lower portion of the seat is not damaged as often, but with taller seat mounts in SUVs, it is important to check these as well.
Trim PanelsTrim panels used to just be pretty covers, but now they, too, are part of a vehicle’s safety environment. Door trim panels may have side air bags installed. They frequently have foam inserts to help absorb energy in side impacts. When working on doors, the plastic cover on the inside of the door shell should be replaced if torn. This part keeps air and water inside the door shell, as well as helps eliminate road noise. Covers over the A, B and C pillars are designed to soften impacts from driver’s and passenger’s heads and shoulders. These parts should be carefully inspected and if compromised, they should be replaced. Safety and customer satisfaction need to be foremost when considering any repair. Knowing that most interior components may have a safety function will guide the repair plan decisions. Planning early in the process for parts or services will ensure a timely repair.