water stained interior

[Barteldes]

Forgive me people im just recently bitten by the bug and know very little about my new old car.
Newly acquired 1924 Model T Coupe with original interior? maybe.. but showing its age. the doors / walls fabric have water stains. i like the fabric but would love to get rid of the stains. I saw a commercial where pet pee was removed by some product.has anyone had success or even tried anything like this?

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Forgive me people im just recently bitten by the bug and know very little about my new old car.
Newly acquired 1924 Model T Coupe with original interior? maybe.. but showing its age. the doors / walls fabric have water stains. i like the fabric but would love to get rid of the stains. I saw a commercial where pet pee was removed by some product.has anyone had success or even tried anything like this?

In my shop I have had great results on original wool fabric that was stained by using my upholstery steamer on the fabric to loosen the dirt and then blot with a fine towel. You do not rub or agitate the dirt into the fabric, but the steam causes the dirt (which is what you are calling water stains) to loosen from the fiber strands and the towel helps blot it away. It is a very slow and tedious process, and maybe if you use a good quality drapery steamer. If you do not have access to one, maybe find a high-end automotive detail shop that has a steamer and maybe an extractor. Just do proper diligence to make sure they understand the delicacy of your fabric.

[jiminbartow]

I like Brent’s steam cleaning method and would like to suggest that, instead of the blotting method, which can push the dirt back down into the upholstery, you take a portable upholstery cleaner with vacuum and vacuum up the water containing the stain. These portable, hand held cleaners allow you to add cleaning solutions that will allow for more thorough cleaning and will sanitize the upholstery as well. Using a vacuum allows the stain to be pulled away from the upholstery. This process can be repeated until the stain is totally out. Jim Patrick

Here is an example of a portable upholstery cleaner.

[Adam]

I like Brent’s steam cleaning method and would like to suggest that, instead of the blotting method, which can push the dirt back down into the upholstery, you take a portable upholstery cleaner with vacuum and vacuum up the water containing the stain. These portable, hand held cleaners allow you to add cleaning solutions that will allow for more thorough cleaning and will sanitize the upholstery as well. Using a vacuum allows the stain to be pulled away from the upholstery. This process can be repeated until the stain is totally out. Jim Patrick

Here is an example of a portable upholstery cleaner.
4303AF61-E21F-4EA2-B346-EA11688B9186.jpeg

I’ve had some actual experience with cleaning up original interiors. Original interior fabric is WOOL, and around 100 years old. Saturating that fabric with water is usually a bad thing. The upholstery cleaner that saturates the material with water may do more harm than good. The material is delicate and can shrink if it gets wet then dries. The door panel boards aren’t necessarily water proof. What’s behind the fabric isn’t necessarily clean. The water is likely to draw more stains than it removes, plus the potential shrinkage issues. The upholstery steamer is a good idea if you have access to a commercial one, though I doubt that there are any “cheap” ones that will work as they should.

[Rich Eagle]

I'm glad to see some good suggestions and hope you can get the stains out.
From the Dark Side, there are some of us who would love to have those stains. I put new material in my rusty coupe and tried to make authentic stains in my headliner. The cloth repelled any liquid I put on it and remained clean and tidy.

If removal and installation weren't so much work, I would trade you for a new headliner. Oh well.
"The grass stains are always greener on the other side of the fence."
Rich

[Barteldes]

These are great thanks you guys! Im learning and "stain envy"? hey maybe ill keep them. there's lots of other things i can address before that.

[jiminbartow]

Is there mold and mildew in the upholstery that could pose a health hazard? Jim Patrick

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

I like Brent’s steam cleaning method and would like to suggest that, instead of the blotting method, which can push the dirt back down into the upholstery, you take a portable upholstery cleaner with vacuum and vacuum up the water containing the stain. These portable, hand held cleaners allow you to add cleaning solutions that will allow for more thorough cleaning and will sanitize the upholstery as well. Using a vacuum allows the stain to be pulled away from the upholstery. This process can be repeated until the stain is totally out. Jim Patrick

Here is an example of a portable upholstery cleaner.
4303AF61-E21F-4EA2-B346-EA11688B9186.jpeg

Jim, I have never tried using a vacuum simultaneously but I would think that would work well too. What "cleaning solutions" are you recommending? I have found that typically, the steam is all that is needed to loosen the dirt. Most detergent-based cleaners are only going to act as a surfactant to hold the dirt in suspension however it probably should be noted that soap is one of the quickest things to draw dirt back to the fabric.

I’ve had some actual experience with cleaning up original interiors. Original interior fabric is WOOL, and around 100 years old. Saturating that fabric with water is usually a bad thing. The upholstery cleaner that saturates the material with water may do more harm than good. The material is delicate and can shrink if it gets wet then dries. The door panel boards aren’t necessarily water proof. What’s behind the fabric isn’t necessarily clean. The water is likely to draw more stains than it removes, plus the potential shrinkage issues. The upholstery steamer is a good idea if you have access to a commercial one, though I doubt that there are any “cheap” ones that will work as they should.

As Adam is saying, saturating the fabric & cotton with water should be avoided however properly applying the steam should not be a problem, ...even with 100+ year old wool. If someone is worried about minerals in their water drawing more stains, consider using distilled water in your steamer.

[Art Ebeling]

My Victoria rear seat came back from the upholsterer with a water stain and ring on it. After having no luck with a couple attempts using detergent and carpet cleaner I spoke to a lady at a disaster clean up business that told me the ring was the dried minerals in the water and to dab it with a half distilled water half white vinegar mix. That took the entire stain out. Art

[Barteldes]

Is there mold and mildew in the upholstery that could pose a health hazard? Jim Patrick

No Jim there is no mold. Im in Colorado and its pretty dry here.
Thanks again you guys for so many responses and great advice.
Im going to start by trying a tiny area in an out of the way spot.