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Because most
Americans continue to have a love affair with their cars, it’s
wise to exercise some sensible restraint regarding unprotected body
contact, especially on the vehicle’s interior surfaces. Recent
research studies by Lexol acknowledge that pressing your bare body
parts up against many of the interior surfaces can cause significant
life-shortening damage via body oil emission.
Body oils are
fluids secreted from your body through the skin, most commonly called
perspiration. Perspiration is one of the ways our bodies excrete
harmful waste. As such, human perspiration is often likened to a
toxic waste cocktail that can actually attack the interior surfaces
of your car, truck or van.
The pH of perspiration
is naturally acidic and can be damaging to many of your vehicle’s
interior surface coatings such as leather steering wheel covers,
shift knobs, door panels and arm rests. Gradual build-up of the
residue has a cumulative effect on natural as well as artificial
surfaces including genuine leather, dyed natural materials and fabrics,
and painted surfaces.
Naked Body
Parts Are The Culprits
Although driving
full-clad in protective clothing together with shielding skin-contact
by wearing protective gloves would be ideal, most Americans prefer
to simply get in and drive, recklessly risking direct body contact.
Everywhere bare skin makes contact with interior surfaces is a potential
trouble spot. There is a direct correlation to actual skin contact
and eventual surface deterioration.
Making drivers
aware of the potential for damage will likely motivate more frequent
cleaning to safeguard high-risk areas. Some typical areas for concern:
Padded steering
wheel – Automakers note a major warranty claim for padded steering
wheel covers as being discoloration and fading, most notably in
frequent grip patterns.
Leather shift
knob – Like the steering wheel covers, shift knobs and selection
levers in consoles, suffer frequent discoloration and wear.
Headrests –
much of the stuff we put on our hair for grooming contains powerful
chemicals that transfer onto the headrest surface, often causing
discoloration and oxidation.
Leather seat
cushions – Aside from the occasional spill, automotive interiors
suffer the most abusive attacks of chemical and environmental damage.
Door panels,
especially armrest areas – combine the harsh chemical action
of acids with the pressure points impacting armrests and padded
door panels used as leaning posts, and the result is premature cracking
due to oxidation. The texture covering (usually a soft plastic)
dries out and decomposes into hairline spider cracks from the cumulative
impact of pressure and chemical assault. These cracks eventually
become holes.
Sensible
Safeguards Avoid Chemical Damage
Most automotive
interior coverings are designed to withstand a certain amount of
abuse and neglect. However, the cumulative affect of these body
chemical assaults will eventually take their toll unless routine
preventive care and cleaning don’t occur. Although food spills,
sickness accidents and pet accidents are most obvious, it is the
constant very subtle chemical marinating of interior surfaces by
human perspiration that takes the greatest toll. Take a moment to
further convince yourself by examining your own vehicle for telltale
signs of chemical decomposition that degrades color and finish.
It’s most noticeable on the driver’s door panel close
to the side window, a padded steering wheel, or the shift selector
handle on the center console.
The best way
to avoid these perils of discoloration and premature wear is a regular
routine of washing and removing these damaging residues by shampooing
and spot-cleaning with a mild pH-balanced detergent, followed by
an optional protective coating of a job-matched conditioning sealant.
Most
Drivers Aren’t Even Aware
The residual
damage of these everyday exposures is so subtle that most drivers
seldom stop and consider the impact of something so simple as perspiration.
However, once told, they are quick to take steps to correct and
enhance the interior condition of their vehicle. Condition your
customers not to wait for conspicuous spills to clean up. Instead,
awaken them to the gradual build-up of dirt, body oils, and other
secretions that subtly degrade their interior space.
Interior
Specialty
In concert
with the focus on leather and vinyl care, it would also be wise
to include interior cleaning that also addresses fabric upholstery
that is subjected to the same exposures to perspiration. As well,
interiors that see heavy exposure to young children are exposed
to many different spills, saliva and other body fluids that merit
prompt and continuous attention. Maintaining a healthy passenger
cabin environment that also enhances the appearance of all of the
various interior finishes and textures provides another powerful
reason for consumers to turn to a professional who specializes in
interior cleaning.
Valuable
Niche To Farm
This audience
is just one more consumer niche seeking specialized hands-on extended
care beyond the basic carwash fare. The first step is to make your
clientele aware of the need for quick, convenient interior-care.
Most are probably unaware simply because nobody took the time and
effort required to attract their attention. Gaining both attention
and credibility can be accomplished by a simple educational flyer
that explains the situation in commonsense terms. Once done, assemble
a package of after-care services that identifies as well as meets
your customers’ needs at a value-added price. Its just one
more important reason to operate a FLEX-SERVE format with convenient
rapid-delivery detailing services geared to your clientele’s
every as-needed service. Anything less reflects an opportunity lost…
and money needlessly left on the table.
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