Hi,

The top of my dash board looks a little dull. What have you guys used to clean it up and restore the shine? I DO NOT want to use Armorall.

TIA

 

Armorall...

 

i disagree. Armor all is really not the best stuff for that dash. its not really the best stuff for anything i usually wipe it with a damp towel and leave it the flat black it is. if its faded, try a protectant, but a low-gloss quality one --

 

To clean the top of the dashboard I use Griots interior cleaner which is safe on dyed leather and vinyl's. Once that's done I currently use Mequiars natural shine (its in a red bottle w/black sprayer) but since I'm almost out of that my next product is going to be their (Meguiars) NXT treatment for interiors.

 

i would use 303 products...(higher gloss)

http://www.303products.com/main.php?infopage=protectant

or

vinylex...by lexol...(low gloss)

http://www.lexol.com/vinindex.html

 

For my interior, I use lots of Sonus products...I truly feel that they keep the interior looking brand new. I am not in any way affiliated with Sonus, I am just a very happy customer with some of their products...especially there interior line-up. On this picture, I used Sonus leather cleaner on the dash, steering wheel, door panels, and console (the leather cleaner is also designed to clean some plastics and fine vinyl).



While applying the product, using a foam applicator (I use the big Sonus Pro applicator because it is more aggressive than using a regular foam pad), I buff off the product with a microfiber towel. As a cleaner, use Sonus Leather Cleaner to remove scuff marks, dirt, and other material from the surface. The products used after the cleaner will not remove dirt, they will just enhance the gloss of the interior. After waiting about 5 minutes for the surfaces to dry, I then apply Sonus Total Eclipse to the areas mentioned above, again using a clean, Sonus Pro applicator. The difference between applying this stuff instead of the leather cleaner is that with the Total Eclipse, I wait about 5 minutes to let the product be absorbed into the surface, and then I buff the product off. When using the leather cleaner, I buff off the product right after I apply it. Just to let you know, the Total Eclipse wipes on very wet, but after being absorbed, looks very, very natural.
To clean the leather seats, first use the leather cleaner as recommended above. Then, instead of applying Total Eclipse to the seats (which is used like Armorall, for plastics, rubber, and vinyl), wait about 20 minutes, and then apply Sonus Leather Conditioner to the seats, again, with a clean Sonus Pro applicator. Wait 5-10 minutes for the conditioner to be absorbed by the leather, and then wipe off the remaining areas. As a side note, the leather conditioner is very watery, but don't get worried when you first apply it onto the seats and you get a very wet looking seat...the leather will absorb it naturally.
Now, here is my recommended sequence of events for cleaning interiors after performing many interior details for my business (following these directions exactly will prevent dirtying the interior while it is being cleaned):
1. use a vacuum with a brush head to remove dust from everywhere EXCEPT the seats and the floor
2. clean the dash, console, and door panels as recommended above
3. vacuum the seams of the seats, where all the dirt usually hides
4. clean the (leather) seats as recommended above
5. vacuum the carpets, trying to avoid touching any cleaned surface (sweat from your skin is a major culprit for cracked leather and interior vinyl)
6. spot clean the carpets, using your favorite carpet cleaner (I use Preston Upholstery Cleaner), agitate product with a brush, then, using a damp cloth, remove suds...repeat as necessary until stains are removed
7. close doors with windows slightly open to prevent fogging of the interior (never really happened to me, but it is recommended), and leave the car alone over night
8. wake up in the morning and enjoy your freshly cleaned interior!

Some other side notes:
-I feel that a cleaned interior looks best the next morning simply because you allow the treated surfaces to fully absorb the products that they received. When I drove the car the next morning, the leather's "grippy" texture was beautifully restored. This entire process, in my opinion, makes your leather truly come back to life. These products also make for a very natural looking interior; no greasy, artificial shine.
-I have tried 303 Aerospace protectant, but I prefer the more natural finish given by Sonus Total Eclipse (especially for the interior). Both products have UV protectants, but 303 seems to bring out a little too much shine for my taste (it is no where near the greasy finish offered by Armorall). Plus, with Total Eclipse, you can "layer" the product to allow for a more glossy shine, and, it smells pretty good too.
-Using this whole interior rejuvenation process, minus the carpet cleaning, but including the carpet vacuuming, should take no longer than two hours
-all of the products used here can be purchased at autopia-carcare.com. I keep on recommending this website simply because I feel they have some excellent products, and excellent customer service. Moreover, every product used in this post, except for the carpet cleaner, come in a single kit. The kit is called the Sonus Perfect Leather Interior kit. I love the kit simply because in one small box, everything I need to clean the interior is there, including two microfiber cloths and two Sonus Pro Applicators. Plus, you also get a quick detailer for the cockpit! As a suggestion, I recommend that you buy an additional two Sonus foam applicators, as well as two more microfiber towels. This is because by the time you finish cleaning your dash, console, and side panels, your two applicators (one for the leather cleaner, the other for Total Eclipse), will get dirty, and you wouldn't want to introduce that dirt onto your leather seats!
-don't forget to vacuum behind the seats
-don't forget to clean the side of the seats (leather), and behind the seats (hard plastic material).

 

I too, am a big supporter of 303.

Pete

 

Thanks for all that great info & golfdude over the top!!! You guys are the BEST!!!

 

When I start, I just can't stop!

 

Didnt want to start a new thread so here we go.... may should have rather than resurrecting this 2005 thread. LOL

What can we use to clean the scuff marks I have on the....glove box,knee panel,center console area? It looks like ashy scuff marks..

 

Meguiar's Natural Shine for a natural, low sheen "just from the factory" look.
Meguiar's Supreme Shine for a higher gloss look.
Meguiar's Quik Interior Detailer for routine dusting/light cleaning.

The first two actually contain ScotchGard along with a high level of UV blockers. Both will dry completely dry to the touch and not leave that greasy, slimy film on the surface. The QID also offers good UV protection as well as decent cleaning ability.

 

think im going with the Megiuars Natural.........thanks Mike-in-Orange!!

 

I use Sonus products to clean and condition and Optimum Leather Protectant as a top coat. Optimum's got a AWESOME new leather smell to it and leaves a satin finish. It protects both leather and vinyl with UV inhibitors and keeps everything from drying, cracking, and fading. The protectant contains no chemical solvents or VOC’s and does not leave any greasy film.

 

I don't use any cleaning products that will leave a shine on the dashboard as this will reflect the top view of the dash up onto the inside of the window making it difficult to see clearly under certain sunlight conditions. I use a small California Carduster only.
Just my preferrence.

 

A damp towel and a sun deflector when its parked in the sun at work. I do go over it with the rag I use to do my seats with the leather treatment every couple of months. Be careful what you use as you can create a lot of glare with the wrong product choice, ie AA.

 

So I bought the Maguiars Natural Shine to clean my dash and interior panels......great product!!!!!! It clean it and has no Greasy Feel or Shine. Looks like brand new stock black again. Just how I wanted it to look without the sheen greasy look. Thanks again Mike in Orange.

 

Happy to help, and glad you like it!

 

Could someone shed some light on what to use to clean lip seal material on top of windows and on side of windowshield (black material on roadster). It doesn't seem to be too pliable. Thanks

 

All I have used for the past 5+ years is a small damp rag and lightly wipe. Then I use a small duster to keep the dirt and dust off. Still looks brand new even in the Texas sun. I was always afraid to put a chemical on there since our interiors are so fragile.

 

ProtectAll...
available at RV stores ... or in the RV section at WallyWorld...

GREAT stuff... protects and shines... and since it is carnuba, and not
synthetic.. it's very good for the car.


Protect All - Home Page

Advanced formula Protect All with UV Blocker is an extremely effective cleaner, polish, wax, treatment and protectant for all types of vehicles and surfaces. The application is as quick and easy as wipe on, wipe dry and it requires no tedious detailing around lettering and rubber molding. Superior quality carnauba wax creates and maintains a durable and lustrous showroom shine. This versatile and economical product is perfect for the do-it-yourselfer or professional detailer to beautify and protect clear-coats, paint, aluminum, fiberglass, gelcoats, chrome, stainless steel, glass, vinyl, rubber, plastic and more. Protect All really does do it all