My new favorite interior detailing tool

B

blackntan

New member
Just thought you guys would like to hear about this new little trick i've learned...



This is going to sound odd, but it really works...



For cleaning vinyl, not just dressing it up, I've just discovered a technique that works wonders..



First, get your favorite dressing... I like 303 or Mequiars Natural. Then get a dish sponge. I don't know how to describe the one I mean, but i'll try anyway... It's one of the foam sponges, but it's entirely covered with a plastic mesh of sorts... Not one of the ones with the rough side and sponge side.. Hope that made sense..



Anyway, you take this sponge, soak it in your dressing, and proceed to scrub the grime off of your vinyl areas that are dirty. The shifter, the console, the arm rests.. Cleans em all to perfection... I mean i've tried everything to get the interior this clean in the past with no results. No matter how hard you scrub with a rag, or what vinyl cleaner you use, there's always some residue stuck in the vinyl wrinkle pattern.. Not anymore!!!! I'm talking factory fresh.



I'll try to get some pics, but I turned the interior of my girl's neglected 150k Toyota back in time about 5 years. She's had the car since it was new, and this is the best it's ever looked inside..



Highly recommended
 
I know the sponge you mean. It's marketed as a 'Bug Scrubber' sponge in the automotive market. The polypropelyne webbing gives it the scrubbing power, while the sponge part of it holds the cleaner (or in this case the dressing).



autogeek_1800_28639820
 
Yeah!!!! That's the one!! Nice!



Thanks for that. That thing is a beast of an interior cleaner, and it's gentle enough not to scratch anything.



Try it on dirty vinyl. You'll love it.
 
A bug sponge also works with a solvent to remove road tar safely. I wash the panel, then spray the solvent on the bug sponge and rub gently. The mesh breaks up the tar nicely. then I rinse the sponge in a soapy water solution, respray the solvent and go to the next panel.



Try it, you'll like it! ;)
 
OK, I have to ask, cuz Im an Autopian....Are you sure you just didnt break it down and spread it all over ? It would have been interesting to see if you had used a APC or vinyl cleaner after you had "removed" the stains, and seen if there was anything left to clean up......My $.02.
 
Good question patrick! I wish I had a video.



I used that scrubber and Meguiar's natural. Then I scrubbed everything down, and everything was removed! The shifter and console looked brand new, even though it was 150k old... It removed everything.



Just to be sure, I sprayed more Meguiars natural on everything, then wiped it down with a white cotton cloth.



It was clean. Nothing came off. It was great.



I'm telling you, you can find the scrubbers at your grocery store for a dollar. I'll take a picture of the exact one I used and post it if you like....



I used to hate doing interiors.. now I just hate glass and carpet... :p
 
Here are some pics of what I use, and how it works out... I'm not sure how effective they are, I rushed em, but here goes nuthin..
 

Attachments

  • tools.jpg
    tools.jpg
    48.7 KB · Views: 1,297
results....



The lower part of the armrest was brutal before....
 

Attachments

  • cleaningwith brush copy.jpg
    cleaningwith brush copy.jpg
    45.4 KB · Views: 1,226
I use it thiis tool to apply protectant to my convertible top. I love it. I use a microfiber applicater for applying interior protectant (PBs NL)
 
Nice tip :bigups I'll have to give that a try . Nice before and after pics to. Its always adds to the thread to see those Before and After pics.
 
Wow! Do you find Meguiar's Natural Shine slimey at all? I have a bottle from Costco a few years back and it's horrendous. I wonder if they changed the formula...
 
I returned my bottle of Meguiar's Natural Shine. It was so thick, the sprayer almost doesnt work.



Gonna give that sponge a try though. thanks
 
I bought some Meguiar's Natural Shine at a clearance sale. I, too found it extremely thick and the sprayer hardly worked. I poured some into an empty spray bottle with mixed it 1 to 1 with water... It worked fine after that.
 
It's not my favorite interior dressing, but I don't mind it..



I really should have a vinyl cleaner for this stuff, and 303 for dressing.. Dunno why I don't..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top