Is there a thread on ofering advice on how to best clean and condition the various interior parts of the car? I want to do a thorough cleaning and detailing of ALL the interior and I want to use to proper cleaning products and conditioning products. I am guessing to stay away from products like "Amor All!" Help me...... Thanks!
i use a warm damp washcloth to "wash" the dash, seats, door panels, etc. i do not coat the dash with anything as i do not want any glare. i use a product called "aerospace" on the vinyl seats, door panels. "amour all" is a no, no.
For the carpet, I'll spend an hour or so "scrubbing" every square inch of carpet. It is amazing how much dirt & sand can get down deep in the fibers, and by just going back and forth over the same spot many times a lot of dirt will "pop" up. For cleaning, if I need something soapy, I'll use diluted (20:1) simple green in a spray bottle. I can spray this onto a soft cloth, or onto a q-tip. For ultimately clean glass, like you can't believe, I use adhesive remover. Over the years there is a film that builds up- you can see water spots left by water & windex. Adhesive remover, although it's kinda nasty, does a great job at cleaning this film because it interferes with the chemical attraction between the "gunk" and glass. I've found this in hardware stores, but it is becoming much more difficult to find. For me to detail a daily-driven car takes about 5-6 hours, just for the interior. Armor all does look shiny, but attracts dust quickly. That's why I don't use it. -Bob C.
Bob, Thanks for the tips. I have the EXACT water spot windshield issue you mentioned. I have cleaned and cleaned but the spots are still there. I just bought some goop remover yesterday and will try a small area to see if it works without causing any problems to the safety coating on the glass. Thanks for the great suggestion. Do you guys use ANYTHING on the interior once you've cleaned it? I am thinking of some type of conditioned that perhaps has some UV protection as well. If te consensus is NOTHING then at least I've asked the right group for the their experiences. Thanks!
303 Protectant There is nothing better ! :TU: Not that easy to find retail suppliers - do a 'google' search.
Some things to add to your cleaning kit: Mr Clean Magic Erasers. Picks up all kinds of grime that is stuck in little crevices, grain, etc. Works great on dash, seats, doors, etc. Coffee filters - use them for cleaning glass. Cheap and they leave no lint. Not as messy as newspaper. A zillion Q-Tips (obvious) and a soft toothbrush. For all the tight spots.
The stuff I use is 3M, and it comes in one of those tin containers. If your "goop remover" works, let me know what kind it is (probably less noxious than the stuff I use). -Bob C.
I actually like Armor All on my dash. It gives it a clean look and I don't have a problem with dust probably because I leave my windows up. Also sun protection is a big plus Factory dash with no cracks:beer
Well, I tried the "Sticker Remover" from the local auto store and it did not work at all. I've also tried the "Goo Remover" and it did not work either to remove the water spots from the front windsheild. Anyone have any others tips for removing these water spots? I really am having a hard time beleiving that these spots won't come off. Thanks!
For water spots that wont come off, pick up a spray bottle and fill it up 50% water/50% vinegar. The acidity level in the vinegar will dissolve the mineral deposits that cause the spots. Just spray it on and wipe it off with a microfiber clothe (best clothes for car care !) Wal-mart Carry's microfibers in a 25 pack for like $10 or a 8 pack for like $4-5. Stoner's brand "Invisible Glass" is also works extremely well for cleaning glass.
Well, I tried the 50/50 vinager-water mix to remove the "water spots" on the windsheild...... did NOT work :-( I am getting frustrated that I seem to have some industrial strength water spots on the windsheild. I am shocked that these have not come off with the products I've tried so far. My next step is try some aviation plastic polishing compound that I bought at Sun-n-Fun last year. It is a multi-step polishing kit that enables you to polish out scratches in optical plastics. I'm hoping that the plastic safety-glass coating will clean up with this process but it's a fair amount of work. Oh well, nobody said it would be easy! Thanks for all the suggestions.
Water spots will not come off with just regular scrubbing. If you can't find Adhesive Remover, probably some other strong polar chemicals (i.e.acetone) might do the trick. Be careful handling this stuff! -Bob C.
Great thing often overlooked for cleaning window spots is glass cleaner with crumpled up newspaper but sounds like you have industrial strenghth spots. Another trick is XXXX steel wool! it works and will not scratch glass like the coarser grades. Try it on a piece of glass you do not care about to test. Also Eastwood sells a glass polishing cut but it is expensive. Try the steel wool first.
I agree with the steel wool, I use "0000" on my windows all the time and they clean up great. I use to use a fine "brass" wool from Eastwood but they no longer carry it. Good luck! Tom
Hi All, I haven't tried the 0000 steel wool yet and I'm a little nervous about trying it but I will. I still can't beleive that the industrial strength adhesive removers failed to eliminate the spots. Yesterday I tried some "scratch remover" from Maquires. I thought this might work since it is a mild abrasive/polishing compound. NO LUCK. So today we'll give the steel wool a try....nervously. I did get some 303 Protectant and put it on the entire interior yesterday. It seems to work well and I really like the UV protection it will provide. One thing I noticed is that the smell is VERY much like the original Armor All I used 20 years ago. I know it's not the same "space age" formula but it does smell very similar. I'll post back as to the steel wool results on the water spots! Thanks
