Fascination with Making Lines in Carpet?

David Fermani

David Fermani

Forza Auto Salon
I see more and more people these days brushing/vacuuming in lines in their "finished" interior work. Why do people like it? I feel it's important to bring a vehicle back to it original appearance for a proper detail. This means that dash boards aren't shiny, carpet nap is groomed in the most natural direction and engine compartments aren't overly shined with protectants that really have no function (other than attracting dust). I'm guilty of doing my fair share of this in the past on some vehicles, but after some thinking, I don't now what's really best? Again, isn't our best intention to restore a vehicle to it newest condition and appearance? It's almost impossible to make lines in brand new carpet & seats, why should we go out of our way to put them in? Please discuss......
 
I too was wondering the same. I think that people like the carpet of a freshly detailed car to simulate the grass of a Major Legue Ball park. :D



Leave it to you David to bring up such a subject :D. That is why I like the way you think.
 
Yeah, makes you wonder...like was said, I guess the same reason we mow our grass in patterns, cause were showing off I suppose? Pride, proud of our hard work...:think2
 
I notice the people really seem to like it. I guess it's like putting a mint on the pillow, just sort of a way to finish it off. I think it's funny when they try to get in the car and not mess up the carpet.
 
Thanks for the input everyone. Just because *we* think it's nice looking doesn't mean it really is? I know, I know, it's a matter of personal opinion, but is that the best way?



Imagine if you were a judge in a car show and you came accross a vehicle that literally had this almost checker board pattern in all the fabric. Would you knock it down because of this non-natural apearance (i.e. "not the factory look" to it)? If so, shouldn't we steer away from this? Is this really improving the look to a vehicle?
 
Yea, i have spoken with a customer on this very matter. He says that its "cool" granted it is the clients son i was talking to but i aim to please the whole family of my clients not just the one who hands over the money at the end of the day. I think the owner also like it... i will have to start asking the clients if they do or dont.



Also, on my showcar details im going to stop doing this because i could see a judge taking off 4 it!
 
David Fermani said:
I see more and more people these days brushing/vacuuming in lines in their "finished" interior work. Why do people like it? I feel it's important to bring a vehicle back to it original appearance for a proper detail. This means that dash boards aren't shiny, carpet nap is groomed in the most natural direction and engine compartments aren't overly shined with protectants that really have no function (other than attracting dust). I'm guilty of doing my fair share of this in the past on some vehicles, but after some thinking, I don't now what's really best? Again, isn't our best intention to restore a vehicle to it newest condition and appearance? It's almost impossible to make lines in brand new carpet & seats, why should we go out of our way to put them in? Please discuss......
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David, I couldn't have said it any better myself! When I detail a car, my goal is to make it look like a car does when it rolls off of the assembly line. I really don't get why people would want stripes in their carpets? :nixweiss I always brush my rugs in one direction to get rid of any lines that may be present. It has always been a pet peeve of mine. I always wanted to start a thread about this to ask why, but I guess you beat me to it! I will never understand it, but not everybody's got the same taste. If that is what makes some people happy and they like stripes in their carpets, than so be it! :D
 
The lines are evidence of your hard work and service. It indicates that you did more than just vacuum the carpets and floor mats.



I've stopped directionally brushing carpets, but do extract floor mats in alternating vertical directions. Lines in the carpets--particularly transmission tunnels--look stupid, I think.



The floor mat lines eventually get rubbed out by shoes. The deterioration of my carpet work serves as an indicator to my customer that another detail may be due.
 
Some customers will most likely love the lines.



Ex. owners of:



Most daily drivers

Mini vans

SUVs



It could indicate to them that all of the carpets were thoroughly cleaned and they got their moneys worth from the detail.



I personally would NEVER put carpet extraction lines in a classic, collectible or exotic automobile. I could just about guarantee the customer will not like it one bit. :mad:



I personally like to groom all carpeting neatly like it looked in the showroom after extraction.



David, I couldn't have said it any better myself! When I detail a car, my goal is to make it look like a car does when it rolls off of the assembly line. I really don't get why people would want stripes in their carpets? I always brush my rugs in one direction to get rid of any lines that may be present. It has always been a pet peeve of mine. I always wanted to start a thread about this to ask why, but I guess you beat me to it! I will never understand it, but not everybody's got the same taste. If that is what makes some people happy and they like stripes in their carpets, than so be it!
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I agree 100%. Great thread David. :goodjob
 
I love the lines too!! It just feels more finished to me. Think about it...tires aren't normally shiny or have sheen to them yet usually we put product on them because it makes the job look more finished. For me it's the same with vacuum lines. If you ask, most people love seeing the lines when they vacuum their homes so why would that not naturally carry over to their cars. The last car show I was in the judges actually commented that I had lines in my trunk and that it showed attention to detail. Needless to say that was enough for me. :D
 
Personally I'm with David about carpet lines, engine cleaning and including low shine dressing. Bring it back to new. Might be the many years of recon work. Does a car for sale look better when it looks like it was just cleaned or does it look better when it looks close to new?.



Maybe we should start a carpet line poll.



Generally i don't think customers would care either way as long as it is clean and smells good.
 
I think most of us aim to go beyond the showroom appearance. Why? Because showroom appearance is lackluster at best! We all know that a brand new car needs a light clay and polish, to make it better than when you took delivery. There is nothing wrong with going above and beyond what we receive initially, in my opinion I want it to look the best. Putting lines in the carpet shows it was professionally cleaned, and in an orderly fashion. This is something that dealerships do not take the time to do.
 
Just comes down to knowing your client. It's not about right or wrong but percieved value. I do just stick to the mats though, I'll agree that any more is overkill and I have put them in some cars that it just didn't quite look right so I went back over it. Like most things it's subjective; God didn't command nor forbid them:goodjob



Nice thread
 
I agree with the "don't grease up the dash and engine compartment" I like to add that some folks don't like that black plastic tire look either. Lines in the carpet? ehh...I might have some after I finish, but it's just cause that's the way it turned out, I don't try to leave them or remove them, I figure the owner will scuff up the carpet soon enough - call me slack!
 
While I don't put the stripe lines on my mats, most drivers will like it as they wouldn't think (or know how) to apply them. Therefore, it confirms and justifies in their mind the detailing cost was money well-spent. It certainly separates the professional car detail from the lackluster "detailing" at the local car wash.
 
I think is all depends on your clients and work you do. Personally I don;t like them and they make the carpet look "fake" to me if that makes sense? I don't like doing them because it takes more time. Maybe not much time but when I detail, or do anything for that matter, I aim to do the best job in the least amount of time. Time is money. Sure some customers might like it but if you do a good job from the get go they'll be back. The carpet lines are not a deciding factor to 99.9999% of the people.
 
It's carpet, it's not a permanent change. You see it mostly on the daily drivers that people post anyhow. I think it looks great. It also shows that the carpet is really clean instead of just getting to see one side of the nap.



What's the fascination with judging what people like to do with carpet? It's carpet!! The lines don't last very long anyhow. It's not like hologram strips in the paint...



If you don't want to put them in, it's a free country, don't. I'm sure someone won't start a thread about 'What's the fascination with NOT making lines in carpet"
 
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