Hi all, so I did a look around the forum already and didn't see anything (probably missed it), but I was wondering what you all recommended for detailing plastic dashes, steering wheels, really anything interior found on a common car (common as in car under 25 or 30k). I have a Scion tC, so no fancy leather, though my steering wheel may be some sort of cheap leather. I've been using Armor All for quite a few years now, but doing just the slightest of reading on this forum has told me that Armor All is utter useless and possible does damage (?). Everything seems to be protected, to my amateur eyes, so far and nothing has shown discoloration, but it would be nice to actually use a product that professional detailers would rely on. As a side note, is there a good way to clean cloth seats? I don't have access to a lot of equipment, nor do I have the funds to buy this equipment so I'm not quite sure how much I can do.
I've used DP Total Interior Cleaner to great succes as of now. When it will be finished i'll probably go ahead and get some Optimum Power Clean v2 and dilute it down. After cleaning the plastic and all, I follow up with 303 Aerospace Protectant. It leaves a real nice dark hue and isnt oily like armor all and has FPS 40 to boot! If you wanna clean clotch, you can use Folex with a stiff brush and vaccum it all up after. I've used the DP TIC also and havent had a problem yet
I like Meguiar's Quick Interior Cleaner D14901..... it does a very good cleaning and leaves a matte finish. It is cost effective, and straight out works very well, also Phill sells it. Ive been using it for going on 5 years and it has never let me down. It also has Anti UV properties to it as well. +1 on the Folex for cleaning fabrics.
1Z (Einszett) Cockpit premium is easily the most versatile product I've ever used. A mild cleaner and protectant all-in-one product that can be used on literally every surface in your interior: Plastic, rubber, metal, leather, pleather, vinyl. An it can be used on the exterior plastic surfaces.
I like megs qid, and 1z cockpit premium for the hard plastics. For the vinyl or softer surfaces I go for optimum protectant. Sometimes I wish optimum protectant was my liquidy so I could get it to spread further.
1Z cockpit is my interior wipedown go to product for cloth seats try adams carpet and upholstery cleaner with a soft bristle brush for agitation followed up with a microfiber towel. I'd save the firm bristle brush for the carpets and floor mats.
For cleaning really well, its hard to beat Einszett Deep Plastic Cleaner. It totally cleans pretty much everything I have ever seen on plastics, easily, and leaves a nice finish. It you are talking just maintaining an already clean surface, then its sister Einszett Cockpit Premium is also a very nice product, that never leaves any surface looking shiny, greasy, etc. Both Einszettt products as well as some others in that line work really well. Not the cheapest, but perhaps this falls under the "you get what you pay for" rule ? Dan F
For me, I love using 1Z Cockpit Premium or as I like to call it "Cocky P". It's cheap, and a little goes a long way. I also have the Plastic Deep Cleaner but sometimes cannot really see the difference, although I'm sure there is. Oh, and DAMN that stuff smells good!
AG Interior Shampoo or 1Z Deep Plastic Cleaner to clean the plastics, then 1z Cockpit Premium for the deluxe interior detail. Megs Quick Interior Cleaner for the basic interior detail. 1Z Deep Plastic Cleaner is awesome. It is great for cleaning exterior plastics before applying dressing/sealant. I am tired of purchasing the small bottles of it. I wish Phil @ DD would carry the 10L jugs of it again....hint, hint. Maybe a 10L combo deal of Deep Plastic Cleaner and Cockpit Premium would interest some people? I know I would purchase a set. The AG Interior Shampoo is almost as good as the Deep Plastic Cleaner on plastics as you can adjust the dilution to your needs and it is used for most of my interior plastic cleanings. It just needs a little bit of agitation with a leather brush and it melts right off.
Seems like 1Z products is the general consensus. 10 bucks for about 16 oz isn't bad. That's usually about the price for a 32oz bottle of armor all so getting something that actually works is worth double the price. But I bet 16 oz bottles (500mL) is going to last me forever. Another quick question, would it be recommended for me to pick up a bottle of 303 protectant as well? For things like the outside plastic/ rubber trims and the tires. As of now (being new to all this) I don't really use anything on them. Just wash it down, if they are still dirty, I wipe it down with quick detailer. And if they look faded, I use tire dressing (albeit armor all tire dressing) to make it black again (yea, I use it even on plastic trim, but it works really well!).
AG interior shampoo with the AG Hi-Tech pad to wipedown/clean plastics and 1Z Cockpit after the AG interior shampoo to protect.
1z Plastic Cleaner (Plastik-Reiniger) - an intensive, non-corrosive, non-acidic two-phase deep cleaner that removes grime build-up, scuff marks, bitumen (tar) and nicotine thoroughly and effortlessly with dust-resistant anti-static action. Use to clean armrests, door handles, shift knobs, vinyl seats, pedals, dashboard, storage compartments, tires, rocker panels, wheel wells, and etc. Water-based formula is biodegradable, silicone and formalin-free as well as environmentally friendly. Iz Cockpit Premium – an interior care and protectant developed specifically for that original matte-satin factory finish. This is a treatment spray for all interior components including the dash, finished leather and vinyl seats, door handles, trim, navigation screens, stereo head units, and clear plastic. It has very limited cleaning ability but it provides UV protection for interior materials. The gentle formula is water-based and free of oils providing a non-slip finish, which allows for application on the steering wheel, shift knob and both finished leather and vinyl upholstery.
Yeap! I've been looking at it, just waiting until I know I have some free time before I go ahead and order. Should be soon though! Probably within the next week
