Most detail shops are built for routine work: a wash, a vacuum, a coat of wax. Some jobs don't fit into that basic scope. A car that smells like smoke after ten years with a smoker. An SUV with mold growing in the carpet after a leak. A motorhome whose paint has gone chalky after years in the sun. A 1960s classic with thin original paint that one careless pass with a polisher could ruin.
These are the jobs we take on at Oregon Detail Co. Since 2016 we have handled restoration work indoors at our west Eugene shop, and it has become one of the things we are known for. Here is what we fix, how the process works, and what to expect.
Mold and mildew in car interiors
Oregon's wet winters make mold one of the most common restoration jobs we see. It usually starts with a water leak, a wet carpet that never dried, or a car that sat closed up for a season. By the time you notice the smell or the spots, it has often spread into the seat fabric, carpet padding and vents.
We clean the seats, carpet, headliner and vents, then treat the odor at its source. If a leak is causing the problem, we will point you to where leak diagnosis can be done and the water intrusion can be fixed, otherwise the mold comes back. The complexity of mold and mildew remediation can vary, with some cases requiring disassembly and teardown to assess carpet padding or for thorough treatment of mold.
Smoke and odor removal
Cigarette, vape and wildfire smoke don't just sit on the seats. They settle into the headliner, the seat foam, the carpet padding and the cabin air system. Air fresheners cover the smell for a few days at best.
We deep clean every surface the smoke touched, not just the obvious ones. Depending on the vehicle, that can include HVAC treatment, cabin air filter replacement, ozone treatment or even a chlorine dioxide treatment. Most cars come out smelling clean. Heavy, long-term smoking can take more than one treatment, and we will tell you up front if we expect that.
Rodent and moisture damage
Stored vehicles, trailers and RVs are a favorite home for mice. Nests, droppings and the smell they leave behind end up in cabins, trunks and storage bays. We remove the contamination, then thoroughly detail, sterilize, and odor treat the entire vehicle.
Oxidized RVs, trailers and fiberglass
Sun and weather turn RV gelcoat and paint chalky and faded over time. Machine polishing removes the oxidized layer and brings back the color, and a coating helps it stay that way longer. We work on motorhomes, fifth wheels and travel trailers. See our RV detailing services for more.
Original and single-stage paint
Many classic and show cars wear their original paint, and much of it is single-stage, with no clear coat on top. It is often thin and unforgiving. We measure, test a small area first, and correct only as much as the paint can safely give. Our classic car detailing page shows some of the cars we have worked on.
Heavily swirled black paint
Black and dark paint shows every swirl mark from years of automatic car washes. Under the sun it looks hazy and gray instead of deep black. Multi-stage paint correction removes those swirls and restores a sharp, glossy finish. Many owners follow it with a ceramic coating to keep the paint looking that way. Developing good maintenance routines and the right products goes a long way with keeping your black paint looking its best.
How a restoration job works
Send photos. Text a few photos of the problem to (541) 968-2804. We'll take a first look and give you a rough range.
Inspection and quote. We look at the vehicle in person and give you a firm price before any work starts.
Indoor restoration. Your vehicle stays inside our 4,000 sq ft shop for the whole job, out of the rain and dust.
Pickup and aftercare. We walk you through the results and how to keep the problem from coming back.
Common questions
Can you completely remove smoke smell from a car?
In some cases, yes. Because we clean the headliner, foam, padding and air system instead of masking the smell, the odor is actually removed. Very heavy cases can always be improved, but it's impossible to guarantee total removal, especially considering certain sensitivities to that particular odor.
Is a car with mold worth fixing?
Usually, yes, as long as the water source is found and stopped. Most mold problems are fixable with an extremely thorough interior cleaning and treatment.
How much does restoration detailing cost?
Every restoration job is quoted after we see the vehicle, because the extent of mold, smoke or oxidation varies so much. Text photos for a rough range. Our standard detail prices are on the detail menu.
Get a restoration quote
If your car, truck, SUV or RV has a problem that a regular detail won't fix, text photos to (541) 968-2804 or call. We are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm, by appointment, at 860 Conger St, Unit 14, in west Eugene.
About the author: Tanner Broady founded Oregon Detail Co in 2016 and runs its appointment-only, fully indoor shop in west Eugene, a certified Carfax service center specializing in paint correction, ceramic coating and paint protection film. He is an IDA Certified Detailer.