I plan on buying 303 ap but haven't decided on what to use to clean my interior. I was looking at Lexol leather cleaner for my TL-S leather seats. What is a good cleaner for the dash? Honestly I don't even know what material my dash is considered. Can the Lexol leather cleaner also be used for the dash? Is it safe on plastics? What about other brands? Originally I was just gonna use a damp MF towel to wipe down the interior... do I need an aftermarket cleaner?
interior cleaning question
- Thread starter PapaJim
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Detailing NY
New member
There is so much on this topic.
Use the search feature and you will have your answers
Use the search feature and you will have your answers
Preachers Sheets
New member
If your dashboard is a hard plastic you can always soak a towel in soapy water, wring the heck out of it and use that to clean. You'll need to follow up the soap by clean water, just to get the soap off, then you can apply your protectant. It works well for me and it's cheap. 
imported_Intel486
New member
For light dust and stuff I just use a damp towl to wipe down all the vinyl. If the vinyl is dirty, then I use a spray bottle and hit the dirty spots with some of Pro's HD interior cleaner. I'll then scrub with a soft brush, wipe up the water, and then come over it again with another damp towel.
Yeah, I have heard a lot lately about people having trouble with the searches. Anyway, try a search first and if it does not pertain to your direct personal question post it and I will try to answer it along with some others.
Your dash, I am pretty sure is considered Vinyl. Use a amino-functional silicone. LOL where are you going to find that out? I don't know cause I need the same answer. I think a pro needs to answer that question. Though, stick with lexol leather cleaner and dressing. I am almost certain that the product is safe for the leather unless it is un-protected leather. Use 303 AP protectant for vinyl dash. Stick with products that are well known and you should be fine. Best to use the manufacturers labeled recommendation. Example- Leather cleaner Lexol 303 AP protectant for vinyl. Don't try to use one product for all surfaces.
:up
Your dash, I am pretty sure is considered Vinyl. Use a amino-functional silicone. LOL where are you going to find that out? I don't know cause I need the same answer. I think a pro needs to answer that question. Though, stick with lexol leather cleaner and dressing. I am almost certain that the product is safe for the leather unless it is un-protected leather. Use 303 AP protectant for vinyl dash. Stick with products that are well known and you should be fine. Best to use the manufacturers labeled recommendation. Example- Leather cleaner Lexol 303 AP protectant for vinyl. Don't try to use one product for all surfaces.
:up
nate010753
New member
I used 303 on my dash and I love it. It is not greasy and not shiny looking. It just looks clean!
Auto Care USA
New member
Hey NYD I see that your last post was 911 on this thread. Not that it means anything. It just brought up memories we would rather forget
Not sure if I'm misreading it but doesn't the 303 AP work on leather as well?
Knight mentioned not to use the same product for multiple surfaces. I think this points to my main concern. I was hoping for a cleaner that will work for multiple surface and I thought 303 ap would protect both vinyl and leather.
Knight mentioned not to use the same product for multiple surfaces. I think this points to my main concern. I was hoping for a cleaner that will work for multiple surface and I thought 303 ap would protect both vinyl and leather.
padway said:
You can safely use 303 on vinyl and leather. Your leather seats are clearcoated and using leather conditioner more than 2 times a year is not recommended, 303 on the other hand can be used very often with no negative effects.
If you are going to wipe your dash and other vinyl parts on regular basis you won't have to use any cleaner, just treat it with 303 every couple of weeks. If you still want to give it a scrub from time to time use Lexol Leather Cleaner, it's very mild ph balanced cleaner and I prefer it to soap.
Nagchampa
Oh I'll Bring the Shizzle
I have been using a 6:1 water/woolite mix to clean interiors lately as per Scottwax's advice. Works great and it is very mild.
Can't argue with Scottwax!:up
Can't argue with Scottwax!:up
I have had great luck with Griot's Interior Cleaner. I also like Griot's Vinyl & Rubber Dressing and Griot's Leather Care for leather. The Rubber Dressing leaves a nice mat finish.
Cheers,
My Black 7 Series
Cheers,
My Black 7 Series
Knight said:
Even Lexol acknowledges that their conditioner will not work on clearcoated leather, the same goes for all conditioners as they will sit on the surface and hardly any will be absorbed. You should stick to PMDS dressing like 303 for regular treatments.
There have been a lot of discussions on the subject in the past, use search for clearcoated or top-coated leather.
Detailing NY
New member
Knight said:
I clean and condition my leather about every month or so. I try to prevent cracking (but never do).
CamaroLady
New member
Keeping the dash fresh is relatively simple compared to the vinyl threshold and vinyl pad beneath the driver's feet. These are going to get scuffed and dirty, and no amount of 303 is going to alleviate having to do some occasional heavy-duty cleaning of this vinyl. What are you guys using for these problem areas?
Patience and a blind eye!stargeezer said:
It's true that a couple rainy days will make these areas muddy in no time. There doesn't seem to be much you can do about it, and if you do use a protectant on these areas, take it easy because they get very slippery! 
303 is okay on leather, but despite the (really old) debate about clearcoated leather, quite a few people notice their leather feels better and more supple after conditioning. This seems to be true, although I don't condition my seats as often as I'd like. At the very least if you buy a good leather conditioner (besides Lexol) you can make the interior smell more like leather than 303.
Although a lot of people recommend 303, I'm beginning to think that just about any water-based dressing should be safe for vinyl. These days almost all of them (including the dreaded AA) should contain stuff called PDMS. Do a search on this term to learn more, especially on the older threads involving Ron.
