Dick and Rick's

Lately, we have run into too many convertible tops that have been installed incorrectly from other shops, and as a result they prematurely wear-out, develop mystery holes and even leak water in the trunk.

This can be from many things, either not bolted back together correctly, broken drain troughs, to even missing necessary fasteners. Take the case of a BMW Z3 with prior installation of a replacement top that was not properly sealed when the back portion of the top was removed. All of these inconsistencies can and do happen mainly from lack of knowing the correct process for reaching OEM performance from top installation.

I say this quite often, information is critical in performing proper repairs for OEM performance. Anything less will result in poor fit, leaks from wind and water, and early replacement.

As with all convertible top replacements, the BMW Z3 demands that you use the correct materials when selecting a top. Let me dig a bit deeper for you:

We recommend a quality fabric to optimize the top performance, the OEM’s choose fabrics like this for a reason. You find that quality fabrics will many times out last the rear plastic window and even the thread and stitching that is used to assemble the top.

The factory canvas has a couple layers that make this topping. First is the Sonnenland German material which is constructed of acrylic face, a Rubber or Elastomer film and a polyester / cotton backing.

This was standard for many years, and one form of identification is the crosshatch pattern or sometimes called Dobby on the back side of the fabric. The next fabric that is highly recommended is called German A5 and German A5 DBS. Both are considered to be acoustic topping fabrics that reduce noise. These two have become the standard on most new cars. This fabric reduces road noise and top flutter and results in quieter, more comfortable driving experience.

How do you know when you need a new top on your BMW Z3?

The quickest and easiest way is to look at the window. This can quickly become an issue of dollars and sense. Most factory tops can accommodate a replacement rear window, this is a good thing. Until you figure out the actual price of the replacement part. Is there an aftermarket solution, like a replacement window? Sure there is, but sadly they did a poor job making it look like the factory part and it is pretty obvious.

Most of the aftermarket replacement windows I have seen are clear and don’t have the green tint like the factory, they also don’t lay flat and do not have the Black trim ring around the window where the top flap tucks under, this makes the BMW Z3 top look grossly unfinished.

Another option would be to go with a aftermarket replacement top. The downside to this, is the window is not replaceable, but if you look at the overall picture maybe that isn’t such a positive. A good quality aftermarket top with the correct materials will last long time and have the fit of a factory top if it is installed correctly.

Yes, you definitely get what you pay for in this arena and BMW is a quality drivers car and deserves a quality part.

One other thing to consider is the fasteners that hold the top in place on the framing. We know that the factory top does a great job making this work. Convertible Top Replacement | The fact is that you don’t have a lot of room for error or misplaced retainers and fasteners, it is critical that these parts are correctly placed and stay put when installed.

This is part of what you get when you buy a quality top with a quality installation. Make sure to read our blog on purchasing a quality top and how to get the best warranty / installation.

                     Mediocre convertible top and installation leads to frustration on the owners and the shop that is installing it. Ultimately the end result of a poor fitting convertible top will be that it’s there to remind you as the owner of the car every-time you look at it. Value to the convertible top owner lies in the safety and comfort of knowing that when you want the top down, it works correctly, and when you want to be safe from the impending elements, it too also delivers as promised.

In need of Repair with the ever popular BMW model E36 or also known as the 3 series convertible from 1991 to 1998?

As these car are aging, several issues continue to rise and be problematic for owners. Over time causes issues like the top hitting the tonneau lid, to not working at all. All of this with the 3 series convertibles is due to wear and age.                    

Take for instance the tonneau lid hitting the top as it folds.  When BMW designed the top, it incorporated elastic in the bow straps. The job of the elastic was to pull the bows together to allow the top to correctly fold down into the well area.

Well, what do you think happens to elastic over time? When replacing your top this is a ‘must’ to replace the tension straps, because of this very problem.

This part is installed first before the top, so in order to correct this problem ‘after the fact’ requires the top to be removed again. This is not the way you want to do a job like this.

At this point of the life of the top, it is necessary to have to top fully inspected and replace all parts necessary for continued operation, taking short cuts is not recommended.

There are other parts of the BMW convertible that will have the same effect, like the headliner.

Have you ever noticed that it may sometimes rain what looks like thin pieces of paper and foam on you?

What is happening is the foam backing on the headliner is dry rotting and falling off due to wearing out.

Have you ever seen a headliner in a non convertible type car falling down? This is the same principal.

This same dry rot factor is what also affects the elastic. On that very same headliner, you may see the corners where it meets the top frame by the quarter windows falling off or the plastic brackets or strings may have broken. This is a very common problem and if not addressed can cause the top to bind and ultimately break something.

These plastic brackets and string are replaceable. There are several things that can happen to your headliner that can be resolved without the expense of replacing it.

Other factors that inhibit the top to work correctly are mechanical and / or electrical.

We have found at times that the motors have worked so hard to lift the top that it can bend the rods or even bend the bracket that the motor is mounted to. This can be a result of the top being jammed from the headliner, hanging up on the tonneau lid or even broken bolts.

Then there's the electronics, there are many micro switches, a computer and wires that dictate the where and when the top moves and in what direction.

When this is not working correctly you can expect the top to stop in the middle of the cycle or not work at all.

When this happens - if the emergency override lever is pulled to manually move the top, It will force you to correct the problem before the top will successfully initialize and begin working again.

This can also present the problem that you didn’t know about, and we have experience in this area.

What happens is this, if the top functions up and down with little or no problems, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t other malfunctioning sensors or switches in the system.

BMW convertible top repair | As an example of our experience, we had a customer that explained to us that the top would hang up half way going down.

We told him to bring it in for a diagnosis, but in the meantime, the owner of the 1990 BMW 325i convertible had pulled the emergency release lever under the rear seat without telling us.

When this happens it changes everything.

Unknown to the owner (and Dick and Rick’s too), what we thought might be an adjustment, broken wire or bad switch, ended up being a lot more that what seemed like the override switch, which was working correctly.

Here is a quick detail about this switch and what it does.

It doesn’t allow the trunk be opened during the cycle of your top. When the tonneau lid opens, it will collide with the trunk lid. Nevertheless, the top will continue to work without that switch intact, but when you initialize the top it does a system check and if that switch doesn’t respond correctly, your top will not move until the problem is solved.

When the emergency release lever on the E36 convertible is pulled, it disconnects the top motor and tonneau lid motor, this will result in initializing the whole top system.

Understanding the failures and properly diagnosing is not as easy as it may seem, and trying to fix or locate the problem by a phone call  is like trying to give instructions for a haircut over the phone, frustrating and no one is happy.

                         The BMW 3 series convertible is a great vehicle with lots of amazing features, and with that comes responsibility to get everything working in sync. Repairing it must be done with the whole system in mind, the right tools & education, and the BMW experience of working on many over the years does help a lot.

DIY Convertible Top | So you bought this convertible and now it needs a top, do you replace it yourself, or have a professional perform the work?

From our experience here is what I have seen. Now, I am not going to tell you to stay away from doing it yourself.

To install your own convertible top is a personal decision.  We have seen it done before, however, to accomplish the install, you’ll need to have a handle on your skill level, and knowledge base, plus your ability to be a problem identifier and solver.  

All projects start with good intentions, and some poor installations happen because of under-estimating the task at hand. When my customers ask me, this is what I tell them.

If this project doesn’t turn out, are you O.K. with a “kind of, sort of” appearance / performance? Not all top manufacturers make the perfect top for every car, the person that installs them all the time knows and understands the reality of convertible top manufacturers.  There are differences in material, fit, and finish.  Start with a poorly made top and the best install will only offer mediocre results.

Remember, installers do not forget the ones they fight with due to an ill-fitting top. If that has ever happened to you, it sticks with you. Or maybe there are some areas you wish you had not mess with or can’t change after you installed them.

Is the price of the top something you can afford if it can’t be reused?

This does happen, where holes are punched in the wrong spot or the top tears. Everything that was saved by doing it yourself is now history (and then some). This has happened more than once and I expect it to happen again.  We get many calls about the bargain top that just won’t fit correctly.

Convertible Top Replacement | Do you want a warranty on your top?

Many shops offer a warranty on parts and labor, I know we do. Keep in mind, this does not apply to customers using their own top or parts. This is part of what you pay for as a consumer when you bring it to a professional.

Many times the shop will offer a warranty that will also cover the labor for the first year on their parts. I know Dick and Rick's does. Your top works best when both the moving parts work well with the material that is covering it, not all replacement tops are the same.

Also, you have probably heard it before, there are also different grades of parts and this is true in all industries not just in the automotive industry.  The difference is always going to be easy to identify when one has worked with the many brands offered over the years.  Experience in a specific field gives you that level of confidence.

Case in point:  I recently had a garage door spring replaced.  The company that came out to do the install showed me the difference in the size of the wire used in the spring of the one I bought (at the local building supply store) and one that the garage door service suggested I should use.

I went with the stronger, better built one (theirs!).  In my eyes, showing me that quality behind those parts brings value, in the way the part fits and performs.  Often times, we don’t know the differences until it is too late, or we get first hand experience with someone showing us the differences, thus leading to a more informed decision (and an improved outcome).

2nd point:  Then there's what I call the ‘watch in a box’ factor.

This is where everything was disassembled (and sometimes too far taken apart), all put back into a box and brought in to be reinstalled. Some people can do a nice job taking things apart, please remember that is not the same as putting everything back together. Also, parts may get misplaced along the way. Now, if they are still available, then it is just an added expense.

Sometimes a part is lost that requires a lot of searching to acquire and then the famous it’s no longer available or someone hasn’t reproduced it yet. This happens more than you think, especially with classic cars, hint hint.

And just like if you were to bring a watch in a box to the Horologist (the watchmaker) it might cost you more than the watch would be worth to be put back together. This can be quite a shell shocker, the best way to prevent yourself from this is, don’t put yourself in that position.

Ever heard the term “to know when to stop digging”? There is no shame in admitting you're over your head, that's why there is a professional for every field.

Think of it this way; most craftsmen or professionals take pride in the process and the end result.  They make their living from two aspects; performance of the service, and the product they install.

They are expecting a high level of results when they replace your top, many times, it might be with items you do not see, but make the install prevail for many years after completion because the components and the experience work very well together.  This is one of our core values.

                         Only you can decide what works best for you and what you are capable of doing. The smart thing is to make that decision early enough so that the project doesn’t set you back and keep you from enjoying those sunny days driving.

Help with spills | As I have stated before, cars are now a collection of computers all sharing information and are really a network on wheels, that changes everything when it comes to repairs, including spills.

That creates a whole different mind set when it comes to cleaning and making sure that delicate electronics and safety systems are not compromised. If your goal is to return your vehicle to OEM specs / performance, read on.

Cleaning up Substance Spills in a car | This is the biggest factor as to why we have the conveniences that help us drive comfortably (power seats, seat heaters, a radio that connects to our phones, plus many more). It keeps us on the road, assisting us from collisions, warning us of an object in the blind spot of our vehicle, they will also monitor the occupants in the event of a crash.

These are just samples of what is happening in our everyday use of our vehicles. So it is safe to say there's a lot going on around and inside our cars and trucks at any given time.

Does this complicate repairs? Yes.

Do you need to need to be more educated and have more sophisticated tools for these types of vehicles and repairs?

If you don’t say ‘Yes’, you shouldn’t be working on these types of cars.

On every type of these conveniences, safety technologies or whatever you may call them, they are from one end of your car to the other and they all route through your interior at some point. Understanding they are part of the repair is only a fraction of what is needed to handle them or work around them.

A quick example is, what would happen if your car was flooded with water?

Had a chemical spill such as gasoline or muriatic acid you were going to use in your pool?

Every one of these situations requires a different way the substance is handled, but let's think a little deeper and think about what they may do to the wiring, computers or any sensor that may come into contact.

These are all things your repair shop should consider as well or if they don’t, you may have problems that creep up on you later after the obvious is done. In many cases when the floor gets contaminated with a chemical or water the carpet is replaced and there was little or no attention placed on what lies under the carpet.

Understanding Interior Spills | In many cases it may not be a problem in the short term, but over time electronics may degrade. Is this a problem? If it was something simple like a power port for your phone charger it might just be a slight inconvenience.

But, when it involves your ABS which is a part of your braking safety system, now it changes everything. We had a BMW in which the owner spilled gallons of apple cider inside his vehicle, not only did it smell bad but it affected the ABS controller/ computer. Yes it was replaced, along with all the wiring tested, cleaned, and tested again for proper OEM performance.

Even something as innocent as apple cider has corrosive characteristics and needs to handled appropriately. Given enough time, even the wire harness that has a coating on it can corrode internally. All it takes is a place for liquid like water to start the process and it can travel up the harness.

Does this mean this is the end of every harness that gets wet? No, if this is caught in time, there shouldn’t be any long term problems. Knowing the product or substance that makes up the spill greatly determines the necessary repair methods needed to restore your vehicle to OEM specs.

A couple quick examples are Sulfuric Acid which is found in batteries can reactivate with water or humidity. Just because the carpet is removed did you get it all? It loves to eat metal (and do it continuously).

                         Products like gas and oil will not affect the metal, but will be devastating on the sound deadener, hence the smell that will never go away. If you want your car to be fixed right, should it be replaced? I would think so. I have seen countless trips to the cabin end up like this.

Knowing what the product covers is half of the equation for the repair process, here are a few more questions to think about.

If I have damaged wires, how do I handle them?

How do I repair them?

Is it permitted by the OEM manufacturer to repair them?

What is necessary when replacing a module?

Will it just work? Meaning is it plug and play or will it need programing? and maybe even some kind of calibration, like in the right front seat that has an Occupant Classification Module and sensors.

This list can go on, the point being is to understand what needs to be done in the repair process at bare minimum before any clean up.

Your simplified VW headliner has become much more complicated to remove, repair and install.  

Volkswagen Headliner Repair & Replacement | Let’s start back when the manufacturer first assembled the car. From watching videos of them going down the assembly line, a part like the headliner is installed when there isn’t much of a struggle to get it in or out of the car. Most of the time the headliner is installed prior to the windshield or back window installed.

At that point the headliner installs into the car easily without damage. Fyi, taking the glass out is probably not a great option after a couple of years and an added expense if the glass breaks.

In many cases to correctly repair the headliner, it is necessary that the seats and console be considered for removal and sometimes a door to accomplish the same goal (a proper OEM performance repair). Sounds excessive? Hey, we didn’t build them, but in order to successfully get the old headliner board out (in usable condition) so it can be recovered takes careful steps and handling.

We have had customers bring in a headliner board to get recovered and when it arrived it was all folded up / creased (not good) and in most cases unusable.

VW Headliner Repair | This is a brief description of what it takes to get it to the first stage, removing it from the car. Moving forward, let’s get into recovering the actual headliner board with new fabric.

The part I am describing is necessary to reuse from the car to successfully restore the headliner back to OEM fit and finish. This part (or board) is what gives the headliner its form, shape and essentially hides everything between the metal and you. What happens to the fabric isn’t usually the problem, but the thin layer of foam that it is bonded to breaks down and dry rots. When replacing the cloth with new, it will come with the foam already attached to the colored material. This also acts like a barrier to keep the adhesive from bleeding through and spotting the new fabric.  

Materials and techniques have vastly improved over the years, so does the process for properly repairing headliners.

In the repair process, there are a couple of considerations to be aware of when working on replacing the fabric, first are airbags that may be mounted / associated with the roof / headliner. When the headliner panel is in the removable process, the wires and connectors attached to the airbags must not be disturbed and the integrity of their connections maintained.

And in the event the airbags are summoned, caution is needed during the repair to ensure that edge of the headliner is properly placed back into position with any additional glues or fasteners.

                          Next, if there is a sunroof, this adds to complexity to the install and recovering process. The new material needs to be formed to fit the opening, which presents its own set of interesting pulling, gluing and fitting to make the material flow into the opening.

When reinstalling the VW headliner, the sunroof opening may have special clips / fasteners to hold the headliner tight. Please note that when you perform the installation, special care / process is different for those with a sunroof. Because the sunroof headliner has a hole for the opening it creates a weak spot that can cause a kink in the liner board. Now add in the grab handles, overhead console and side trim and you have just completed the job

Your second option is buying a new headliner from Volkswagen. And sometimes depending on the extent of the damage, this may be the only option to correctly fix the problem.

This is something that may or may not still be available to get, in either case it will be more expensive and you are still faced with the problem of installing it without damaging it.

No matter what process you choose, returning everything back to OEM performance and safety is the goal.

We get lots of calls every week of people wanting repairs and yet not fully understanding the technology that lies beneath providing safety and comfort.

Seat Repair Fact:  There are many types of seats with multiple options when considering seat repair. Knowledge is key to reaching expectations, that includes OEM safety performance.

Meaning the variation of how a seat is repaired can vary different even among a single manufacture.

Does it have a seat heater?

Is it a bonded seat cover?

Does it have airbag or sensor connected to the airbag system?

If it leather or vinyl?

The list can go on and on.

Understanding what is inside the seat can be more important to ensure your safety that what you see on the outside.

All good things to consider in choosing the right repair shop to return your seat to visual appeal while maintaining OEM safety performance.  That should be one of your expectations.

As a consumer, it probably isn’t always a clear as to what these items mean or do in the bigger picture. Asking questions and testing repair shops to make sure you get OEM safety after the repair is more important than ever with today’s technology on the inside of your vehicle.

Some of today's technology is there for your safety, others for your comfort, what I am saying is; have all the information necessary to make an informed repair decision for OEM safety and comfort in the years ahead.

Asking questions and getting actionable knowledge to understand that the repair shop of choice has your expectations in mind when they give you an estimate.  If this was 15 years ago, you could get away with simple repairs, that is not how seats are produced anymore, they are part of the overall vehicles safety systems and should be cared for / repaired that way.

Do all shops understand the concept of the airbags and the other safety equipment?

A shop that doesn’t understand how these systems works will jeopardize your safety others riding with you.

If there's an issue, is the shop able to solve it correctly without sending you down the road only find it out at an inopportune time that your safety system was not tested, and repaired properly.

Having specialized equipment (OEM scan tools ensures safe repairs / operation) to diagnose such issues that arise.

Sometimes this may even mean it might cost more than you expect as not to compromise built in safety features that protect you in the event of a collision. Be wary of ways to cheat in this area, this is the last place to cut corners.

So what else lies under the cover? You may want to also look at the seat pad. This is an opportune time to perform repairs on this item.

Addressing this issue at this time not only makes good sense, given the fact the cover is already off and it will cost a lot more to do this at a later date.

It could mean a better fit of the cover, prevent future wear problems and also sit as it did when it was new.

To best describe what happens to foam is it slowly sinks to the point that you might feel like you are sitting in a hole or crooked. In either case very uncomfortable. Foam pads are comprised of many little air pockets or balloons. Over time those balloons pop and the foam compresses, thus giving you the effect of sitting in a hole.

This can also happen when getting in and out and sitting on the edge first, quite common with trucks where you need to step up to get in. This can also leave you with a sore back from bad posture or constantly leaning to compensate. This is a slow process that happens over time and one day your body can’t take it any more and you notice the seat is now uncomfortable / something is wrong.

What about the other options like seat heaters, sensors, seat belts and many options that make your seat tilt, move forward, backwards, up and down? Yes this does requires degree of knowledge of the many wires and connectors along with a feel for 12 volt circuits.

Remember new technology inside cars just isn’t located in one area, it’s everywhere. Just like the concept of the airbags and the safety equipment, having specialized equipment like an OEM scanner will help solve many issues that a generic scan tool cannot.  This is why we choose the more expensive approach to repair and reach OEM performance or better for all vehicles repaired at our shop.

Not all wires are the same, many carry different levels of voltage not knowing that leads to potential problems if repaired incorrectly.

Because safety systems are almost all interconnected throughout the vehicle, an improper repair can cause electrical issues elsewhere in the vehicle, what worked on one model creates problem with another, so getting it right the first time matters.

A fully equipped shop will also have access to a database that outlines procedures, diagrams, and safety concerns for OEM repairs.

We live in the Information age, therefore it is even more critical for repairs to follow a specific procedure outlined by the OEM to ensure safety in the event of an impending crash.  Today’s vehicles are only as good as their weakest link, a poor repair might look OEM, but if the system isn’t tested during and after seat repairs, you won’t know until it is supposed to protect you at the moment of a crash.

The days of a simple forward and back seat with minimal wires are gone. If they can make cars that can drive themselves, what makes you think they will leave the seat alone. In some cases ”the black box” which every car now has, involves multiple sensors in the seat that determine weight and position of the seat for maximum safety.

                         Finally, the covering, this also something that is not always as it appears. All though this is the part that you see it can also have some hidden agenda. Earlier I wrote about airbags, many of these when deployed will burst through a seam in the cover of the backrest.

Now the majority of them will come out the outer edge of the backrest cover meaning the seam that faces the door. They just added inner airbags that pop out of the inside of the backrest between the driver and passenger.

Why should your repair facility know all this?

This requires a special thread that will give way when deployment happens.

Seat Repair Fact:  Using the wrong thread or sewing that seam incorrectly can have devastating results.

if the airbag is deployed in the wrong manner it may not protect you, and it might even physically hurt you. The idea of having an airbag in the cushion portion to elevate your body is becoming more common. This is in the lower area of the cushion, all thought it doesn’t pop out of the seat it needs to be properly reinstalled.

On to the materials, the most common are leather, vinyl and cloth is a close 3rd. Many people have a hard time distinguishing the difference between leather and vinyl.

Vinyl has come a long ways from the past and I can see where the difference can get confusing. It is easy to understand why sometimes customers of ours are shocked that their “leather seat” are not as much leather as they might of thought. Areas like the seating areas (where your body touches) are normally leather, However, side panels, bolsters and backs of the front seats are commonly vinyl.

And their are times that in a car with leather interior may have a the whole rear seat in vinyl. This is sometimes known as “leather trimmed.”  Even Cars like a Mercedes and BMW may have vinyl interiors mistaken for leather, they are that good.

Cloth interiors generally don’t hold surprises like the leather/ vinyl interiors do. When it comes to repairs, most but not all materials are available for every car and sometimes buying a new cover is the only option.

In the repair process, when fixing a cover, seams are opened up and the warn or bad pieces can be replaced individually for a cost savings and in the case where a replacement part is no longer available it can also breathe new life into a worn seat.

This is where the knowledge comes to play, understanding how the seat is constructed and why some are built one way, and others are different.

A skilled craftsman will replace the damaged parts, replace the stitching as original, including decorative top stitching and construct the cover back to OEM standards to ensure many years of use.

This only works if all of the above is followed and understood. Repairs are never complete unless safety is followed and done the OEM standards.

As the automotive industry evolves, the interior along with everything in the car is getting more sophisticated and needs a higher level of understanding and thought process to ensure OEM performance and satisfaction.

Sunroof Repair | So, heard the term “know when to stop digging”?

This pretty much applies to everything, and your sunroof is no exception. There are a couple of factors that can determine the point when to throw in the towel as some might say, and get professional assistance. First, let's start with what is the most common cause. We are talking about plastic, as in plastic arms, plastic joints and sometimes even plastic gears. With that, let's look at a couple of characteristics of the product and why it is used. Manufacturers like it because it is lightweight and has some self-lubrication properties. To understand the ‘why’ of this statement, auto manufacturers are and have been for years finding ways to lighten up the vehicle to get better fuel mileage, and every ounce counts.

Plastics have come a long way from years past and properties like having little friction, adds a feature that allows them to use less grease or oil. To understand the full benefit of that statement, you need to understand what happens to the lubricant that is in your sunroof.

Temperature changes, like extreme cold, road film and dirt, leaves and sticks from trees and bushes all change how the lubricant performs or doesn’t perform. So if you live in an area that gets cold in the winter, has trees and sand or dirt on the road (and you don’t have to travel on a dirt road for this to fit), this applies to you even more. Let's break this statement apart: Temperature, as it gets cooler the viscosity or thickness of the grease goes up, meaning a substance that might be little runny in the heat is now thicker than Jell-O in the winter. But make no mistake, just because you have a heated garage or don’t live in sub-zero temperature doesn't mean you will escape this.

Sunroof Repair | Dirt and Leaves all do the same thing, the grease acts as a lubricant on one hand and like a piece of fly paper on the other.

This happens because it attracts and holds everything turning your sunroof tracks into a sticky piece of sandpaper.

Does adding grease help? Yes, for the short term, sometimes. It is important to remember that all the junk that makes it move poorly or not at all is still in there. You may not see it all, the track extends a long way back into your roof and without removing the sunroof carriage it will remain. If you want to attempt this, clean out what you can see with a rag or Q-tip and hope you got it all.

There also different type of grease that may be used in your roof depending on the OEM manufacture. Many are now going to a synthetic, very light weight or a silicone base. Using the wrong stuff will work against you and complicate the issue. Now, add the two together and you have the cold, and the fact that the grease is thick and sticks like sandpaper. The next thing you know it will bind up the movement of the ever important plastic guides and suddenly your roof stops opening and becomes jammed.

So what should you do? Well, you can try and back it up and then move forward with the switch, but if you don’t get any closer to closing your roof, stop.

Make sure to don’t hold the switch for any extended amount of time after the roof stops or you might add to your already bad situation. The motor is quite a bit stronger than the plastic parts that move and support the sunroof glass. In a tug-of-war with the motor and cables, the plastic parts will lose.

Should I push it or help it close?

This is entering dangerous territory if you want to keep the cost of Sunroof repair down.

How do you explain when too much force is over the top?

That usually happens when you try this method and the sunroof suddenly jumps forward or you hear a crunching noise.

                       In the cold, the plastic arms are a lot more brittle in the winter and as they get older this gets worse. Even when cars like these are brought into our shop we let them warm up before we work on them for that very same reason.

In some instances you might be better off temporarily covering your sunroof until conditions are better, or when you can have professional look at it.

Smoke Damage Repair | Your car has smoke / fire / heat damage, what next?

It can happen to anyone, at any time. Your house may start on fire for any number of reasons.  From that moment, everything that comes in contact with fire, heat, smoke is now compromised.  You need a plan.

If you are fortunate, no one got injured or died. Next comes, the personal items, things that can’t be replaced and then there are other things like furniture and maybe your car or truck was affected.  We all love having our vehicles in their respected garage space.

I can tell you from our smoke repair experience that not all cars are fixable but many are, only if they are repair correctly.  How valuable is your vehicle, and how far will you go to get it repaired correctly? If you use it everyday and expect it to last 5 or more years, doing it correctly matters.

Smoke Damaged vehicle repairs | Here are some helpful tips + our long time experience with these repairs.

First, it is important to address the type of fire your vehicle was involved with, meaning was the damage done from the outside in or inside out of the passenger’s compartment.

This is important because of way you will fix each smoke damaged car is very different.

Many of the times a truck or car that is in a garage fire where the flames and smoke where contained on the outside the vehicle, cleaning just the inside is wasted effort.

Why? You’re only addressing half the problem, in many cases the interior can be a small issue yet seems like it may be the core issue.

What about all the smoke that has contaminated the rubber gaskets? Where do you think the air comes from when you turn on your defrosters or vents?

Even if you ran your car through a car wash, my bet is it will still smell like smoke and sometimes, it can make it worse. And if you are not a smoker this smell is even more intense.

Also another thing that people try to do to is drowning the smell out with fragrance or perfume, that doesn’t solve the problem, it just puts it off to another day. Not to mention it might even be something you could be allergic to, or have your system become overwhelmed with the chemicals.

In short, strong application of fragrances / perfumes is the wrong approach to solve the issue.

Vehicles in this situation to be fixed correctly need to be deep cleaned on the outside first. This entails removing headlights, bumpers, weather strips and many more exterior related items. All these parts need to be cleaned and the areas behind them as well. If you are not willing to do this step don’t think the smell will go away anytime soon.

Even the dirt that get behind these components will take on the smoke smell and hold it till it is cleaned. Can you see the importance of doing this correctly? Rubber is also an item that is prone to take on the smell of unwanted smoke. If a part is porous it will take on the smoke smell and needs to be addressed.

Now unless it is burnt or bubbled, it can be cleaned, but just wiping it down will not work, these parts also will need to be removed and cleaned off the car and the area behind the gasket inspected and cleaned.

Keep in mind the smoke can work its way behind parts and objects and can’t always be cleaned from the outside. We have dealt with many cases where it was just cleaned only to arrive to our shop to start the process all over again and this time done correctly.

                         Unfortunately when done the improper way it will first add downtime to the owner’s use of the vehicle and add expense to the insurance company. The ultimate goal is to get the vehicle back on the road with the smoke smell gone.

When one thinks of repairing a seat, most people envision repairing the cover because it is worn, ripped or torn. We specialize in this type of repair, and much more...

Getting what you want from a seating surface is about knowing what your options are…

How often do you consider a seat repair an opportunity to make the seat more comfortable for you to sit in?  

If you have a new vehicle and it is now uncomfortable or are planning to get at least 2-3 more years out of your current vehicle, and it is you who drives it everyday to and from work, this informative blog is written for you.

Just because the manufacturer made your seat fit one way, it doesn’t mean it fits you as an individual.  Improper seating over several years does lead to medical complications, and simply put it is uncomfortable.  We all are built differently, and over time our bodies change.

Today’s seating surfaces are much better than the old days, with that, many OEM seats offer up firmer cushions and side bolsters that degrade over time becoming soft, uncomfortable and worn out much like the cover your thinking of replacing.  The picture above is after we modified the seating surface to improve seat performance without affecting the look and safety.

At this point, it is time to make a choice, do you seek a replacement cost for the cover, or do you take a step further and improve the seating surface and replace the cover?

Here is a situation that we recently helped another individual get what they needed to ensure an acceptable seating surface for their new vehicle.  

This involved the owner of a 2015 GMC Canyon and how it soon was apparent after several weeks of driving, he was experiencing pain.  He contacted us because of our website, reputation and explaining the many options for getting things right with your vehicle.

He was experiencing pain from the seat not fitting him very well, and he really wanted to appreciate the truck without the discomfort.  

Here is how we helped:  This owner knew that it was the OEM seat that was giving him trouble.  Our technician and upholstery specialist listened and with a quality discussion and several measurements we were able to craft a plan to alleviate the pain and improve the seating surface of his truck without compromising the safety systems built into the vehicle.

Seat Repair Help | It was apparent that he was experiencing pressure in some areas, and not enough support in others.  

Fixing this problem requires a lot of input from the owner himself. Just explaining it by saying “it’s not right” will be little or no use to the technician performing the work.  

Seat Improvement | We were able to determine the problem areas and re-sculpt the seat.  Getting it ‘right’ isn’t always a 3 step process, and in this case it took some reverse engineering as the seat just like the driver was unique.  

Reducing the pressure on his legs helped his circulation, while added foam (specific to his needs) to the mid-back helped with his posture.  We also removed some of the padding on the seating surface to alleviate the pressure to his coccyx without compromising performance.  He was extremely happy with how the seat felt, and the best part was that the seat looked OEM, and performed to his specific needs.

A couple of additional seat repair issues to consider:  First and foremost, making a seat more comfortable is alright as long as you don’t compromise the safety systems built into the vehicle. Our rule is; if it comes to a choice between the two, we will not knowingly make the car unsafe due to an alteration, it is the right thing to do.

The complexity of how automobiles have evolved with safety systems and comfort puts higher demands on any professional that chooses to improve on OEM seating surfaces.  Doing it right involves much education and technical know-how to understand what exactly they are working on and the limitations surrounding those safety systems.

Running a successful auto interior repair shop, it is always a balance between, investment, cycle times and the best use of employee time which all equals to what is left on the bottom line.

There are many different types of companies that can provide you with a scan tool. And for those who choose to get it right the first time, ultimately the factory scan tool is the only piece of equipment that will perform the job at the higher levels of repairs. It has become a necessity to have some kind of Scan even if it is a generic. The generic may not cover everything but does help in the end, some issues just require the expertise of the factory equipment.

And just like the aftermarket scan tools, the factory tool requires you to pay for a subscription to keep the tool current and in some cases usable for the purpose it was intended. When a scan tool is not updated on a regular bases it becomes outdated and useless no matter the original cost of the hardware. Even the latest and greatest factory scan tool will lock you out of necessary functions if the subscription is not current or up to date.

Another thing to consider is the factory will only work with the manufacture it is designed to be used with and will not work with other brands. Simply put don't expect a factory Chrysler scanner to work on a Toyota.

In order to be successful, education is necessary to fully understand the process of how the tools function / works with the vehicle. Meaning don't assume a General Motors tool will work the same as would the BMW tool. The formats are completely different and so are the steps needed to reach your desired goal.

The best way I can put is, it is like using many different versions of windows and expecting it to perform the same, and occasionally throw in the Mac or IOS version.

And then there is the costs of buying the computer, maintaining it and having the correct or most current interface. Professionally speaking, using technology that has been moving so fast forward, it is realistic to follow that the equipment has been changing just as fast. The interface needed to communicate to the computer and then to car has been changing every 3-4 years. And at $4000 or more per interface, this gets expensive (the price of the computer subscription not included).

Because one of the biggest concerns in this industry is safety for driver and the passengers, it is even more important that all procedures and rules get followed which may also require the use of a scan tool. This is one area that should not be short cut or compromised.

Some quick examples may be occupant sensors for the airbag system or Adaptive Cruise Control. Both requiring not only the use of a scan tool but in many cases target boards or a sophisticated calibration procedure.

So why is all this equipment necessary? Simple, the best example I can use is a highway or freeway. Let’s start with the idea that cars running on the freeway are the same as information that is running through the wires in your car. Now with that thought, add all the safety and driving convenience equipment in the mix of your automobile and you will find this means a lot of information or data being transmitted back and forth over the wires.

Back the freeway up, and what happens when too many cars are on the road at one time? The whole process slows down and you have traffic jams and sometimes crashes.

So what is the resolve? Add more lanes! This same principle works for your car, but instead of cars we are working with data. So how does this relate to a scan tool? Cars and trucks have what is called data bus line or sometimes referred to as Can-Bus. These Can-Bus lines are your lanes in the information highway.   When those lanes get congested, you need to add lines. In this case this is what the factory scan tool has over the generics. We can take it one further and say that the added lines are also high speed lines, kind of like express lanes.

It would be like going from dial up on your computer to high speed cable or DSL. This is where all cars are headed and why it requires a sophistication level of proper tooling. As we step closer to the car that will take over and drive for you, the data is necessary to make appropriate decisions for your car to go down the road safely. In order to work with this level of technology it is necessary to have this equipment or work with some who does.

                                             This always comes down to being a business decision if you want to maintain the ongoing tool investment and fine tune your employee’s time where they can be most productive.

Headliner Falling apart?  If you have owned a car for any amount of time, you probably have experienced material coming off the ceiling in your car or truck.

Why does this happen

What to do about it?

What is the right way to get OEM look & performance?

Headliner failure can and does happen, but the truth of the matter is, it is the foam backing that is the real culprit....                    

This is where the foam backing that is applied to the backside of the material starts to dry rot and disconnect from its bonding to the backing board.

This can happen in as little as 5 years and may not happen for over 15 years. Every vehicle is built differently, and the environment has a strong impact on life expectancy of headliners.

A couple of signs that your headliner is wearing out

You see pockets where the headliner normally created an indentation.

Another good test is to take your finger and push up on the material to see how long it takes for indentation to disappear. The longer it takes to rebound, the greater the chance that the foam is on the way out.

If your headliner is to the point where it is actually falling down, it's pretty clear what needs to be done to put your headliner back to the OEM look and performance it had when it was new.

Temperature is a huge factor regarding wear and tear. If you have a dark colored car this can accelerate the wear out process, other factors include where you live. Places like Arizona and Texas will more likely to have a higher failure rate due to the high temperatures.

Now add in a state like Florida that has high humidity and this will add to the problem, meaning the humidity will add weight and accelerate wear even faster

Cleaning your headliner can speed up wear rate.  Adding or using chemical cleaners (anytime you soak the fabric) can also add weight to your already unhealthy headliner, thus speeding up wear.

Tools like an extractor has claimed many victims, between the weight of the water and the suction of the nozzle, you might be in for a big surprise.

Headliner Repair Help | So what can be done to fix the problem?

I have seen and heard many creative ideas, I am also amazed at how many quick fix jobs have found their way to YouTube and the net.  Depending your budget and the age of the car, the more creative they get. Be careful of the ‘easy headliner fix’.

Did it correctly fix the problem?

Well, it depends on what you considered fixed.  I have seen many come in after several quick attempts to get it to ‘stay up there’.

To some, fixed is just removing the cloth fabric, and others have been adding staples, tacks, wood slats, and many have tried gluing it back up.

Some repairs failed like the gluing and others just look, well like it was described, maybe not so good. What happens with the gluing is the glue does its job and sticks very well to the dried out foam pad but because of that, it has a hard time sticking to anything else.

And in most cases it will bleed through the fabric and actually look worse than when you started.

To correctly perform this repair, the headliner will need to be removed from the vehicle, properly stripped of old material, prepped, and repaired using proven methods for lasting value.

In the years past this wasn’t a big deal. The car's interior space was bigger, so were the doors and many did not have a console.

That has all changed, in some repair procedures there are instructions of removing the right front door, seat and console, this example is a Volkswagen procedure. In other cases, the rear window will be required to be removed.

This is quite a change from previous years. Yes, there are still some cars that are easier, and with a little forethought, the liner will still come out the doors. Also, there are many extras that also impact how the headliner is repaired, items like airbag decals, sunroofs, sensors, lights and the list has continued to grow with the added comfort and safety of today’s vehicles.

Once the liner is out, the backing board is reused and needs to be cleaned and prepped. This is important to get correct or your finished results will show less than expected results.

Bonding the new liner on can be another issue if the wrong glue is used, or if you hurry the process. Important:  read the instructions on the adhesive can!! Too much or too little will also cause unfavorable results.

Once the fabric is applied make sure the glue is fully cured before you start handling it. Reinstalling it into the car can also be a challenge if you had to bend and twist to get it back in the car. This is where the removable of the rear window makes it easier but more costly. Every time you bend the headliner or have to squeeze it into an area their is a great chance the liner is also getting distorted.  Having a lot of experience at this point really helps in making sure that it is done right.

Once you get to the point you start reinstalling all the additional parts like, visors and hand pulls it is very import to know that it is into the correct position. If it this step isn’t handled with care, the end result might be holes that can’t be hidden.

When performing this task, having the right gloves on is a good practice, in some cases spots on your new material may not come clean. Some dimpling may also happen at this stage, sometimes a little steam may remove them or they may just hang out depending on the severity.

                       As the automotive industry has evolved, so does everything within it, your headliner is no exception. Having the year specific knowledge and experience is key to getting great results.

Because we specialize in auto interior repairs, we can get it right the first time and get you back to your previously scheduled life.

Minneapolis Convertible Top Repair for 2001 & newer Mustangs with a sagging frame

If you have a Ford Mustang that is 2001 and newer, here is a couple of things to be aware of as your vehicle and convertible top age.  We have written several blogs about this frame problem in the past.

Have the windows on your front door windows begun to develop more wind noise?

Do those very same windows catch, rub on the top or even hit the frame?

When your frame is moving up or down, does it look crooked or out of sync?

Is one side latch harder to latch than the other? This symptom leads to additional damage to your convertible top.

If so, you may have the same problem that many other Mustangs owners are experiencing. These problem areas affect all Mustang convertible tops ranging from 2001 forward.  See troubleshooting Blog

Mustang Convertible Top | This is a known manufacturing defect that causes the frame to flex over time, eventually bending and even breaking the weakest link in the frame itself.

It may start to show symptoms on one side and will increase the pressure on the opposing side of the frame causing both to become damaged. And at $800.00 plus dollars per side just for parts, that gets expensive. It can easily push the bill north of $2000.00 when you add in labor costs to get it repaired to OEM performance.  

What are the solutions? the easy one is a new frame, the down side to that of course is cost and the fact that it is going to happen again. How about used? I can tell you from years of experience dealing with this issue that they are hard to find and over 80% of them are bent or starting to show signs of fatigue.  

Mustang Convertible Tops | This is where DickandRicks.com has manufactured a replacement part to solve this problem.

We have created a bolt on part that replaces the piece of the frame that is prone to failure, extending the life expectancy of your Mustang convertible frame.  

Besides, what good is a convertible top if you can’t put it down? Or worry about getting it closed?  

                         At this point in time, we are offering a chance to get your top repaired for minimal cost with this new part.  Additional requirements apply, so if you have a Mustang convertible top that is experiencing these issues, live in the Minneapolis area (close to our Bloomington office).   We are only offering this to a few select vehicles, so time is important.  Please contact us, click on the Button here and fill out the form, we will contact you directly to see if you qualify.  Summer is almost here.

Interior Repairs | It doesn't matter if it is water, gas, or some other chemical that has ran all over your floor and now is trapped under your carpet, it will bring with it bad results.                  

It doesn’t even need to be a chemical, the fact is that your interior wasn’t designed be wet. You may not be able to see it, but it is affecting your electronics, sound deadener and backing on your carpet. The longer you wait the worse it becomes.

You may ask, “How so?”. Have you ever entered your car and noticed that the windows have a slight film of condensation or musty smell that seems to come and go? If you have water running down the inside of your windows your problem is pretty severe.

What can be some of the hidden causes short of someone putting a hose into your car?

There is always a certain amount of water that leaks in by the sunroof gasket and is caught by a inner pan and channeled to the outside of your car in the four corners. Quite often, if your car has a sunroof those drain tubes over time could be plugged, or come disconnected, the water has to go somewhere, most of the time it runs into your interior. This is a slow process, and one day you realize an abundance of interior humidity and even to the point where moisture turns to standing water on the floor. At this point, the interior may become musty in warmer weather. The next scenario is you have a gallon of vinegar tip over. Yes, vinegar works well for cleaning glass, but if the inside of your car smells like a pickle factory that may not be so pleasant.

Now, every product or liquid has its properties that is beneficial at the right quantity, but in larger quantities this will not play out well with the interior of your car, namely the electronics.

Even though the majority of the computers installed in automobiles are sealed and have sealed connectors, long term exposure can find its way inside. If the vinegar, like water gets rancid and moldy, and is absorbed by the pad, there is no saving the carpet. Replacing the carpet is just the first step to fixing the problem.

This just the beginning to ensure that the repairs are done correctly. Many body shops, mechanics, and dealerships will replace the carpet only and call it good with no regard to what lies under the obvious real problem.

This will be evident when you get your car back and it still stinks or may show problems of failing electronics a week later. We know, we have gotten in vehicles after such repairs and been the ones to properly diagnose and repair it to OEM performance. Knowing what product or type of substance is key to understanding what to expect for over the long term and how the repair should proceed.

                       The goal is to put it back to OEM level how it was built by the manufacturer, this can mean, testing, diagnosing, and replacing control modules, sound deadener and sometimes it may mean refinishing the floor so that your vehicle performs as it should and lasts for years as you expect interior repairs to be.

If it was my car I would not be happy knowing that I have a time bomb of problems, when it could have be prevented by staying current with the best tools, diagnostic training, and interior repair techniques that work with today’s high tech vehicles. We have seen this happen when either lack of understanding of the problem, education or cost being an issue. Ultimately, the owner of the vehicle is the one who suffers.

The BMW Z3 is one of those cars that will be around for awhile.

We find at Dick and Rick’s that this one car that our customers love to drive and continue to fix to have a great handling convertible that has a lot of BMW style.

You need to remember if your top is original... BMW makes a great product, but it will not last forever.

Is your convertible top and / or window looking a bit tired? It may be decision time on what your next steps may be.

Many people come in and ask about replacement of their rear window because it has become fogged up and/or cracked.  This is where a comprehensive look / valued information matters.

Yes, you can buy a replacement rear windows, before you start looking at your options, how about we go into some details:

First if you are going to replace the rear window consider the condition of your top.

Does it look in good shape?

Is the stitching around the rear window still holding or is it rotted where there are even stitches missing?

The first stage of aging for the BMW convertible top is that the thread will turn white before it actually falls out.

Take a close look at your canvas, does it have bald spots and / or worn edges on the seams?

If your top is a light color, is it stained to the point where it will no longer wash out / clean up?

Every convertible top repair or replacement starts with an extensive evaluation of the whole convertible system, our experience and network helps us continue to be the leader (many dealers work with us because they can count on quality).                    On a side note: This could also be the time that you change the color of the top and give your whole car a fresh look.

If any of these things don’t sit well and fit your expectations, here is one more thing to consider. If you get a new top, remember not all tops fit the same, or are of the same quality materials.

I not saying you should only replace your top with a factory BMW top, but if that is your choice, it will be an expensive one.

We use an aftermarket top that give you the same fit and finish of a factory to with the same quality materials and construction of the top (which means it will fit like it should).

Why are we the highest volume / quality shop in Minnesota for BMW convertible’s like the Z3?

Because of our quality reputation, in the case of the Z3, this is one the cars that if the top is not installed correctly it will have huge water leaking problems.

And many times, our chosen brand of convertible top will only be 25 to 35 percent more than what it would cost to just replace the window. One thing to keep in mind (even though this is not a part from BMW) if the quality wasn’t built into this top we wouldn’t use it.

                        On replacing the rear window, when you finally say “yes” to a new window which is a great choice as long as you don’t see short term future problems with your original top. The options are simple with this part. This is where I only recommend a factory part. I have seen many aftermarket versions of these windows and none of them meet the standards we have for our customers.

Most aftermarket windows will not install correctly and leave the exposed edge of the top where it would normally be fitted under a black plastic trim ring that is part of the plastic rear window.

As stated before, a poor quality part is not something we advocate or use, a quality repair is our goal.

                                                                                                                                     The facts about buying your convertible top online, price is but one part of the puzzle.

Here are some things to consider when buying / ordering top online.

First, every manufacture has 2 sets or more of products, one to appeal to someone who has price as their main goal, and one that is professional grade for the person looking for value at a fair price.

As a professional convertible top installer, knowledge and experience has shown us key differences in a top that is adequate and one that performs very well over the long run.  We choose brands and specific product lines for our customers to ensure quality performance at a fair price.  

For the sake of discussion, let’s define lowest price vs. lasting value, I can walk into Walmart and buy, let’s say a lawn mower. Do you think that a generic (low priced) lawn mower is the same as the one you would get at a store that specializes in power equipment?  

Just think about it, Walmart sells products based on volume sales, meaning they sell a lot of items at lower margins / quality.

Does this work, look at Walmart? Absolutely! How many times have you bought something at Walmart, but then wondered about the quality of the product or how long it will last?

But at some point, quality and price takes a turn and if all things were identical Walmart would have to raise its price or sell at a loss. We know that can’t happen if you want to keep your doors open. Because of differences in grade / quality this allows different pricing strategies. Even manufacturers of the tops will tell you this.

The second line of thinking, not all parts fit as well as the original, or have the same appearance. This is an extension of value pricing, meaning it most likely was designed with ease of manufacturing to reach profit margins while offering a cheap price. Sometimes this may mean making a part in one piece instead of two which would not give you a better overall appearance. These shortcuts are designed to save money, not improve fit & performance.

If you have ever bought a Chinese knock off product you will know what I am talking about. (Think tools here) In most cases, it works but not all the time and it will have a shorter life span.

Then there's the fact that not every convertible top manufacture makes a perfect top for every car. This is where it is important to have the professional installation shop extend their knowledge of what works well for specific models, there is no substitute for this level of experience.

Who would know better than professional installers if they struggled with an ill-fitting top and finding sometimes there is no way make it look better (thus staying away from that particular top in that application).

Third, Warranty, how much is a warranty worth to you? You are already spending several hundred dollars and sometimes a thousand or more. Do you want to risk that investment for $100.00 dollars in savings and sometimes depending on the situation it has been more expensive than letting the shop do its job and take care of the customer.

Any part that is brought in by the owner of the vehicle has no warranty from the installer. And as an installer the fit cannot be guaranteed. Any problems in this area will the require owner file the claim, and pay the shop for any further work performed.

If your idea is to get rid of the car and it will be someone else's problem, the idea of “close enough” might work for you. Be careful with this, I have seen many people change their mind if they are not able to find a new owner soon enough.

What happens if the part that is ordered by the shop has a problem (manufacturing defect or application)?

Yes this can happen, albeit very rare in our history.  This is where the quality of the part plays a big role to prevent that. If it does, our policy at Dick and Ricks is; the first year covers both the labor and parts costs.  We stress over and over again, the top you buy online at a lower price, is that lower price for a reason.

With the online part there is only a warranty from the vendor and most cases they don’t cover all of the labor if any.  Do you think if there was a problem that it might cost you more than the money you saved in the beginning?

                                           Fourth, if you have plans to put the top on yourself, buying your top online might be O.K. for you. The idea that you will save money by providing your own parts to the repairer has been played over and over and the overwhelming result has been negligible or even more costly.

Know your limitations and be honest with your abilities, convertible top installation can be deceiving. Know that if you can’t do it yourself, or the top gets damaged in the process, your goal of saving money will not be the direction you are headed.

Auto Interior Cleaning | When a product is unknowingly or accidentally spilled in your vehicle, many people on the go find it quite a surprise when it either starts smelling or unseemly stains show up (even after the attempt to clean it up).

Spills like eggs, dog food or anything that may contain protein cause more than visual damage. These types of interior disasters don’t get better on their own and can even get to the point of developing maggots.

Yes, as nasty as that sounds, we have seen it happen. Sometimes cleaning your interior can make it worse if all that happens and you add-in moisture and don’t get all the protein out.

Most paper towels and scrubbing will get the majority, however it also pushed proteins deeper into the carpet where you can’t see them.  

Is there an answer on how to fix this? Yes, however more information is needed:

A quick example is you’re driving home from the grocery store and you had to quickly slam on your brakes and the 2 egg crates (36 eggs) you just loaded in the back come flying forward, and opening up, hitting the seat, the console and finding areas all the way to the structural floor (into the carpet, the pad, etc).

Did I forget to mention, you were are Costco and they were on sale. You feel like you did in high school after just getting egged, sadly, so does your car interior.

Why is this a problem? There are eggs running down the sides of your seat and the console, many broken yokes laying all over the floor. Did you think you will be able to get it all with just a clean up?  Good thing you bought the bulk pack of Kirkland paper towels.

If you have any chance, you better start your broken eggs cleaning right away. The minute the eggs start rotting is when the smell will happen and become harder and harder to remove as time is not on your side.

And if it is sitting on fibrous and / or porous trim pieces (most likely it is), the carpet smell and staining works its way into the fibers and if not fully removed will continue to smell to the point it will not be able to become clean again without replacing the damaged part. Remember, it is summertime, and the heat inside your car speeds things up.

Is it just as simple as a good thorough cleaning? That depends on how fast you get to the root cause.

What happens if I do nothing? These are probably just a few questions you may have. I can tell you that doing nothing is definitely not my first choice and it may not be even on the list of choices to getting rid of that nasty smell.

DIY Cleaning is a good start in many cases, but will not work on all. For something like eggs, if they have had a chance to work their way into the fibers or into a foam pad, you will most likely need to replace the part. The main goal is to remove the substance then address the residual smell.

Oftentimes, we have to remove the seats, interior pieces, and get to the root cause to get it correctly repaired. If you don’t, it will get the best of you - especially after sitting in the hot sun.

We have had other instances like meat, a steak was once forgotten in the pocket on the backside of the front seat. Needless to say that meant the whole cover and pad needed replacement, along with the frame sanitized.

Remember the source needs to be removed first before any type of a deodorizing process will ever work. And it isn’t the large bits that are of concern, it is the smaller ones that get deep into the parts that create the havoc.  You can’t see them, but they are stinky.

No two spills, smells or stains are alike, so don’t assume that they clean up the same.

If it does happen, procrastination of an interior repair like this will make the problem worse. This one time ignoring the problem will definitely make it worse. Here are 6 professional tips to get it right:

To make sure the spill gets handled correctly, keep in mind that the interior may need to be removed to find the affected areas, especially when there are no outward traces of the damage but the smell remains a major problem.

If your vehicle has many of today’s safety systems (seat and curtain airbags, etc), you cannot just unplug, remove and reinstall, they must be re-calibrated to OEM performance specs once reinstalled.  

Make sure you can get or give as much information as possible to help in the repair process, we use very specific tools, cleaners and techniques to get it correctly back to your ‘normal’.

Done incorrectly can be expensive for the simple reason that you spent a lot of time and money and still have a stinky problem that is not solved and reminds you on a weekly basis.

Having protein based food products (or any food) spilled and seeping into areas within your vehicle will haunt you, especially if you take on a little moisture or if your doors are shut for more than a couple of hours.

Enlist someone who understands your situation and needs, along with the experience of today’s complex safety systems so that you get it repaired correctly.