Do's and Don'ts | Interior Detailing

[FLv8]

Curious what the major do's and don'ts are when it comes to cleaning the interior. I am always hesitant to use Armor All and other big name brand products due to fear it may cause damage over time to different parts of the interior. (Whether that be peeling, cracking, etc)

Figured I'd pick everyone's mind. What should I steer towards and most importantly, what should I stay away from in terms of interior detailing?

 

[NLJ]

I'm sure there are better options now but for leather, I use a mild clothes detergent like Woolite diluted with warm water to clean the surface. You can even use steam cleaning if you want. Then condition it. Or just leave it be.

 

[NSXNEXT]

303 Protectant on plastic and dash
Lexol on seats

 

[Bourbonncigars]

For hard surfaces I use a damp rag.

For leather, the tool depends on the level of cleaning, but some dish washing soap diluted in water then immediately wiped off works well for me. You can use a leather conditioner afterward if you want. No harm there. Just make sure not to get product in the seat holes.

Interior cleaning doesn't have to be complicated or involve many products.

 

[EdP]

Curious what the major do's and don'ts are when it comes to cleaning the interior. I am always hesitant to use Armor All and other big name brand products due to fear it may cause damage over time to different parts of the interior. (Whether that be peeling, cracking, etc)

Figured I'd pick everyone's mind. What should I steer towards and most importantly, what should I stay away from in terms of interior detailing?

Isn't that the wife's job?

Pssst. Don't tell my wife I posted that.

 

[Jrothnet]

I have always used armorall with no issues. A car just doesn't feel right unless the seats feel like a slip-n-slide. Don't miss the sunroof housing. The shelf of it is a cause of most dust on your dash and instrument panel. It collects a lot of dust as you drive with it open. When it's closed and the AC kicks on, you spread it all over the car.

 

[RockyG32]

I have always used armorall with no issues. A car just doesn't feel right unless the seats feel like a slip-n-slide. Don't miss the sunroof housing. The shelf of it is a cause of most dust on your dash and instrument panel. It collects a lot of dust as you drive with it open. When it's closed and the AC kicks on, you spread it all over the car.

The housing for sure!

 

[OMG70]

Isn't that the wife's job?

Pssst. Don't tell my wife I posted that.

You trust your lady with your car? You must've found a hell of a woman

 

[Alfer]

Meguires leather cleaner and Turtle Wax brand "all purpose" cleaner for dash etc cleaning. No issues.

 

[Bourbonncigars]

You trust your lady with your car? You must've found a hell of a woman

My wife and I both drive '15's. I drove hers today and was appalled at the dust and general condition of the interior. I actually stopped our vacation for a brief moment to give my speech to her (and my daughter, her friend, and my niece) on why we want to take care of our vehicles, especially if we plan on selling/trading. I always baby the exterior of both cars but I usually don't get my hands on the interior since she always says "I'll get it". No, she doesn't. I made it clear that I'll be taking over from here.

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[EdP]

You trust your lady with your car? You must've found a hell of a woman

Just to clean it. She does not drive any more so no worries there.

 

[Rodney Dangerfield]

I'd use 303 over Armor All, it's a better product. Chemical Brothers has a two part leather cleaner and conditioner that has very good reviews and it isn't very expensive, around $20 on Amazon. Lexol is also a good one to use. I've noticed that the seal around my sunroof has started cracking but not too bad so I'm going to be looking for some product to hopefully restore it so I don't have to replace it. I don't even want to know what that would cost.

 

[surprisinguy]

I've always just used the damp towel after I've wiped the car off to wipe interior surfaces. I use a spray dry-off wax on the car and there's just enough in the damp towel to make everything look like new. I stopped using armor all a long time ago when one of my dash's cracked (an '82 RX7) from using it. For stains, I use "Tuff Stuff" cleaner. For plastic items, like the speedo glass, shift knob, shiny console, etc. I use Turtle Wax Ice silicone polish. This stuff is incredible for just about anything inside and outside the car - no residue.

 

[NSXNEXT]

Plexus works great on removing minor swirls on clear plastic like the gauge cluster. It's expensive but a can will last you forever. Bought a can in early 2000s, use it all the time and it's still not empty.

 

[surprisinguy]

Dont know how you would get swirls on the gauge cluster unless you (or someone) have used something really abrasive on it.
Looked up the Plexus... looks like it would be great for something like a lexan windshield polish etc... but definitely expensive

 

[G-15523]

I bought my 2016 Genesis used and its got black marker stains on the back seat, how do i get it to come out?

 

[Alfer]

I'd wet a Magic Eraser and gently rub a small spot to see if it comes out. Then maybe put some leather cleaner over the area.

 

[Ragnar]

Use either Meguires or Lexol on a dedicated soft micro cloth. Buff with a separate micro cloth.
Never spray it directly on the front seats risking plugging up the holes in the leather. Ahhh

 

[Spydergirl]

I love to detail all our toys, very therapeutic for me.

I will only use Leatherique's rejuvenator oil & prestine clean on interior bits. I trust this on every car no matter the age.

It is amazing how it pulls dirt out of the pores and conditions/softens the leather.

The best added bonus is that it has no chemicals that bake in the sun to make that annoying haze on the glass. I only have to clean interior glass once a year to get rid of dust. No oily streaks.

Leatherique is expensive but worth every penny.

 

[pulsar]

I love to detail all our toys, very therapeutic for me.

I will only use Leatherique's rejuvenator oil & prestine clean on interior bits. I trust this on every car no matter the age.

It is amazing how it pulls dirt out of the pores and conditions/softens the leather.

The best added bonus is that it has no chemicals that bake in the sun to make that annoying haze on the glass. I only have to clean interior glass once a year to get rid of dust. No oily streaks.

Leatherique is expensive but worth every penny.

So no issues with smell or sticky film remaining on the seats? Reviews seem mixed on this stuff. When one says it stinks and one says it smells good, opposing views that must be sifted thru. Price doesn’t bother me if it’s that good.