Cleaning Interiors

[Lhotka]

What is the best method for cleaning interior surfaces such as the dash, doors, and instrument panel. Do you use a vacuum cleaner or wipe if with clean with a cloth and spray cleaner. I am looking for something that actually lifts the dirt away rather than just push it around. How about cleaning that six speed shift lever boot? It really collects the dirt. Thanks for the help!!

 

[EMDDIESEL]

I use a wet COTTON Tshirt to wipe everything down, then Low Luster Armor All ( i dont like the super shiny look). As for the shifter boot (In my case, the 4wd shifter) i vacum it then wipe it down with the Armor All.

 

[Thomas]

I use a dry electrostatic type cloth (Swiffer, etc. ) followed by 303 Aerospace Protectant.

 

[TORQUE THIS]

A swifter works excelent, no residue. works great on the vents in the dash also.

 

[TORQUE THIS]

Outside Tip!!!!

To make your tires shine, use a soft 3" paintbrush to coat the tires with tire shine. No overspray on the rims!!!!



Pour a small amount into a plastic butter tub. Once the brush gets soaked it goes a long way!

 

[fest3er]

Originally posted by Lhotka

What is the best method for cleaning interior surfaces such as the dash, doors, and instrument panel. ...

'Tuff Stuff' foam cleaner removes dirt, oils, greases and other unsightly stuff. It works pretty darn well on steering wheels, too. Considering what it removes, it is a good idea to apply Armor-All (or equivalent) afterward.



If you have leather, Tuff Stuff does clean it pretty well, but you do need to wash and condition the leather with Lexol (or equivalent) after.



And, believe it or not, Mopar's polysiloxane (sp?) product does put a nice finish on plastic and leather. And once it cures, it replenishes some of the 'new car' smell.



Fest3er

 

[illflem]

I wait for a breezy day, open both doors then blast mine out with 120 psi of compressed air, gets out 99% of the dust, sand and rocks fast. After all it is a truck.

 

[Lhotka]

What is a swifter?

 

[Randy J]

I tend to stay away from Armour All & like products. The silcon base will actually dry out plastic & rubber. Mcguair's makes a real good product, I belive it's #40 Plastic cleaner & conditioner. I spray this on a clean cotton cloth and wipe down the interior surfaces. For lighter cleaning they also make a product called Intense Protectant. Works great.

 

[Dane]

I've tried em all in a life time of car/truck washing and finally found a keeper. Washes and leaves a great finish on all plastic and vinyl in one step. Cuts interior detail time in half.



Protect All Easy Wash.



Follow the directions on the bottle for the mix. Use a bucket and small cotton towel, squeezed out well. Wash everyting except the leather steering wheel and glass. You'll be amazed, gets the dirt off and leaves a satin finish on all the surfaces.



For the outside rubber and plastic - Aerospace 303 is the hands down easiest/best imo.

 

[Gordon Maney]

instrument panel scratches

I have been wondering recently about the instrument panel and CD player face. All that plastic is so easily scratched. I have seen even dealership people mess up this plastic.



The matter of cleaning dust from plastic does not seem to have been addressed yet in this thread. Are there any members who have good ideas on how to clean dust from plastic such as the instrument panel "window?"

 

[Thomas]

Klear Screen™ Laptop & computer screen cleaner works for me on clear plastic.

 

[lschultz]

You might try these sites http://www.properautocare.com

www.autopia-care.com

http://www.pinnaclewax.com/mictow.htmwww.autopaoint.com

my wife has some towels(don't remember the name) that I use on the dash of my VW for dust and they work real good. You can get them at HEB or Wallyworld

 

[Deezal Man]

I've done the wet cloth tricks, the old toothbrush vent cleaning routine... . These methods simply take too long in IMO, and didn't produce the results I needed... . to impress a judge.



Even if your not entering a show, I recommend the following steps... . to impress yourself.



1st. Remove the floor mats, and beat em against a wall if they are made of carpet. Wash em if they're rubber.



2nd. Vacuum everything, as you normally would. Assuming you are thorough (under seats, the seats themselves, floormats... . etc... )



3rd. Position vehicle broadside to the wind. Open both doors, and use your air compressor on just about everything, including the carpet and seats. Start on the upwind side. and work your way downwind. Remember, compressed air can be rather powerful and potentially destructive. So I don't recommend putting the nozzle against somethat that may peel away. Stickers, etc. .



If you don't have a compressor..... or a breezy day. Hopefully your wife has a sweeper with one of those little round soft bristle brush attachments. Works almost as well. Great between the radio buttons and vents.



BTW: Your shop-vac is out of the question... it uses course plastic bristles. Do not use anything with plastic bristles. Most quality household sweepers use horse hair bristles. VERY GOOD!!



3rd. Lexol on leather, vinyl-x on dash, doors, etc. . (My preference) Both products made by same company. Stay away from ANY silicon based products. (read the label). These products "generally" produce an extrememly shiney... . un-natural finish. . (judges dislike)... Not to mention the glare it produces.



Besides, silicon actually dries everything out, rather than moisturizing. AND its the stuff that creates that nasty haze on the inside of your windshield. Ever notice how the haze is worse in summer??? Heat+Silicon=Haze.



4th. Newspaper & glass cleaner for the windows. Unforunately, this trick doesn't work if you have film tint nor should it be used on dash gauges which are plastic... . not glass. (scratches) Factory window tinting is fine.



5th. quick run through with the compressor again to remove any lint or newspaper particles that may have been left behind. This step should require no more than 45-60 seconds at most.

 

[John]

Originally posted by Thomas

followed by 303 Aerospace Protectant.

Excellent choice!



After the initial application of 303 Protectant, the transfer case boot (or 6-speed boot) is/(are) not as hard to keep clean.



303 Aerospace Protectant also works really well at cleaning fly lines (floating or sinking types), allowing them to more easily shoot through the guides for longer shooting casts.



Lhotka, I use a vacuum on all dusty areas of my cab first before using other means.



Gordon, I use Griot's Garage Plastic Cleaner and Plastic Polish to keep my plastic gauge cluster looking like new.



www.griotsgarage.com

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

John, where can you find the 303 Protectant?



I have used Son of a Gun a couple times which seems to work fine, however it is probably very similar to Armorall--stuff I won't let near my truck. I have seen what it does to stuff... ruined vinyl tops, instrument bezels, gauge plastic, etc.



Vaughn

 

[Thomas]

Got mine at Camping World—SPENDY, but a little goes a long way. It's great on all exterior plastic too. Here is a source of biased company info:



http://www.303products.com/