Date:         Fri, 28 Feb 2003 10:40:09 EST
Reply-To:     THX0001@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         George Goff <THX0001@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Removing brake fluid from carpet
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 2/28/03 6:42:36 AM, LeeKouns@WEBTV.NET writes:

<< best way to get it out >>

Although denatured alcohol will dissolve the fluid, rinsing is as important
as dissolving the contaminant.  I have a commercial washer/extractor which I
allow my Sweetheart to use.  I notice it has one prewash cycle, one wash
cycle and THREE rinse cycles.

I got my own Vanagon front carpeting looking as good as new by scrubbing it
with Castrol Superclean then rinsing it thoroughly.  The Superclean dissolved
all manner of dirt right away, then I rinsed the carpet with a full stream of
water from a 3/4 inch hose.  I would like to say that I rinsed it until the
water ran clean but, if the truth be known, after more than half an hour, my
son and I got bored while the water was still running a little murky.  It is
amazing the amount of dirt in those carpets.  If you haven't guessed already,
the carpets were removed from the van for this little exercise.

In my experience and from what I am told by oriental rug experts, shampooing
a carpet is a waste of time unless it is followed by rinsing with copious
amounts of water, preferably from the reverse side with the carpet facing
downward.  This is not possible with the Vanagon carpet because it is backed
with some type of scrim then glued to the cork insulation.  So, I hung it
from one edge and did the best I could.

George