Any Interior Cleaning/shining up tips?

[idnative1948]

Yet another vote for 303. Most protectorants look good when you first put them on, but as soon as you touch it or put your left arm or elbow on the arm rest or window ledge, it is instantly smeared or dulled. The 303 isn't near as bad for this. My personal detail products of choice are Zaino Brothers. i first started using Zaino in '98 when I bought my first Vette. That stuff is hard to beat, but pretty expensive. I buy the detailer by the case, however, there are a few products I find better over the counter. Once again, detailing "stuff" is pretty individualized. Most folks have their "stuff" they have used for years and swear by it, so it all depends on who you ask. Me, I'm always looking for something better, so I do read, pay attention, and experiment quite often. Another issue is, some folks like, especially the interior, to have a clean and dull look, while others prefer a clean and glossy look. Me, I'm in to shiney, bling, chrome and all that, whether it's the interior, the paint, the tires, or the glass.

 

Speaking of glass cleaner, I have a home receipe for glass cleaner I have used since '98. It is 100 times better than any over the counter cleaner. Here is an experiment for anyone interested. GLASS CLEANER: 1/2 cup clear ammonia, 1 pint 70% rubbing alcohol, 1 teaspoon liquid dawn, add enough water to make a gallon. The ammonia will not harm, in any way, tinted windows. I have used this on tinted windows for 15 years. As a matter of fact, when my wife discovered how good it is, we now have it in spray bottles in the kitchen and the master bath. It's the ony thing we use on mirrors and windows in the house. We have had all of our windows in the house tinted also. I originally got this receipe from the Corvette forum in '98. That's another reason I always like participating in forums, the information gained is priceless! However, speaking from experience, you do have to be flexible and willing to experiment with different folks suggestions until you find what works the best for you.

 

Have used vinegar, alcohol and baking soda version of your homemade stuff for years.

[CorvetteOJ]

 

Have used vinegar, alcohol and baking soda version of your homemade stuff for years.

Great, and I'll bet you wouldn't change for anything. Sometimes I think some of these "home receipes" are the best kept secrets in America. It's always exciting when you discover one that works for you. I know I wouldn't take a free lifetime supply of "Windex" for my glass cleaner. Enjoy yours...and let me know if you have any other home receipes.

[Rewillia]

Although I do all my own detailing and was taught to do it the old fashion way (hard work) and have always had good results, I recently learned something about cleaning interiors, particularly leather seating from a 65 y/o professional who works primarily only on extremely high end collector's type vehicles...i.e. million dollar cars.

 

Use Clorox wipes to clean leather seating areas. Works great at removing oils from hand prints, denim stains from jeans, and just any other form of debris that is prone to build up or settle into the leather itself. Yep, the Clorox wipes will also not stain french stitching (white threads) that serve to detail leather seating finishes which is not the case for other cleaners which can actually stain the stitching. The wipes will not damage the leather (or other interior surfaces) as they contain a very small amount of bleach.

 

Try it if you don't believe this. Clean your interior the way you do now using whatever cleaner you use (including just basic soap and water), then once dry, follow behind it with the Clorox wipes and check the residue that they will pickup.

 

He also taught me to limit applying leather treatment, i.e. Lexol to once per year as doing so more frequently will actually result in breaking down the retention properties of the leather together with their natural tanning finishes. This practice can equally apply to synthetic leathers as well.