Exterior option and cleaning - 2006 Infiniti M45 Sport

[bman1280]

I just got into the Infiniti game with a 06 M45 Sport. Wanted to ask you pros a few starter questions:

1. What do you use to get your M exceptionally clean? Specifically the interior - what do you clean the LCD screen/leather/upholstery and rosewood dash/trim?

2. Do you recommend the front/rear splash guards? I have the full body kit so I wasn't sure if it would look ok with the splash guards as well. Is it even an option?

Thxs!

[szh]

I just got into the Infiniti game with a 06 M45 Sport. Wanted to ask you pros a few starter questions:

Welcome to NICO!

1. What do you use to get your M exceptionally clean? Specifically the interior - what do you clean the LCD screen/leather/upholstery and rosewood dash/trim?

For the leather, I use Lexol Leather Cleaner and Conditioner. Been meaning to use Leatherique, but have not done so yet.

For windows, Windex (carefully! Don't get it on the leather or the plastic ... spray the cloth or paper first!).

For the plastic and trim, I have not found anything perfect yet. So far, it has just been dampened paper towels for me and this seems to do a decent job.

2. Do you recommend the front/rear splash guards? I have the full body kit so I wasn't sure if it would look ok with the splash guards as well. Is it even an option?

As I recall (but may be wrong), if you get the full body kit, the splash guards cannot be attached ...

Z

[Tony407]

I just got into the Infiniti game with a 06 M45 Sport. Wanted to ask you pros a few starter questions:

1. What do you use to get your M exceptionally clean? Specifically the interior - what do you clean the LCD screen/leather/upholstery and rosewood dash/trim?

Thxs!

I would second the Lexol recommendation for the leather. For the LCD screen, I use a cheap microfiber cleaning cloth that I bought at Wal Mart. I am a big believer in using a bucket of warm water with a little Simple Green mixed in and a washcloth to clean the dash. I was thinking a trying a bottle of compressed air to clean between the ten thousand buttons on the dash...haven't tried it yet. Windex works well on the windows, but not if they're tinted. Amonia does not play nice with window tinting.

Tony

[rshivdat]

I've been using the products from Griot's garage. I find them superior to anything else I've ever used on any of my previous vehicles.

Specifically for the interior they offer an interior cleaner spray that is safe on leather and plastics. I use it on everything inside. Then they offer a leather conditioner that works extremely well, not lanolin based like Lexol. Excellent, never a greasy or glossy finish!

For windows I've used the Window Cleaner from Griot's garage as well with a microfiber cloth. It also is a great product, no streaks whatsoever.

There stuff is a bit expensive but they are big into antique and luxury automobile maintenance and the owner Richard Griot really knows his stuff.

Give it a try.

Rav

[bman1280]

Thanks for the reccomdations...I will probably give them all a try. I asked the dealer about the splash guards and the confirmed that you cannot get them with the full body kit installed.

[park2086]

for interior, I use Meguiar's quick interior detailer

here's info

http://www.meguiars.com/?vinyl...ailer

[szh]

for interior, I use Meguiar's quick interior detailer

here's info

http://www.meguiars.com/?vinyl...ailer

Looks good. But, I'd try it in a subtle place first to make sure that it does not cause the dash plastic to become shiny. Reflections from that area can be troublesome.

I'd also add (to my earlier post in this thread), that maxnix recommended Lexol Vinylex for the dash plastic (I was sticking to dampened cloth in the past). I plan to give that a try sometime.

Z

[infinitiandbeyond]

I will overwhelmingly second the Griots Garage recommendation from RAV. I have everything and it all works very well.

http://www.griotsgarage.com

In order, I would suggest starting with:

Microfiber towels(Pep Boys has nice ones too, buy the black ones)"Speed Shine"(the best detail spray, bar none)Paint clay(use with Speed Shine)Machine Polish #3Machine Polish #4Best of Show Wax

If you don't have time to wax, forego the last three items and try the paint sealer first.

RAV is correct about the interior...interior cleaner and I might suggest the Spray On leather conditioner.

Their machine polishers, BOTH the 6" electric and the small handheld 3" for tighter/smaller areas are excellent! Save your elbow grease for something else.

[park2086]

Looks good. But, I'd try it in a subtle place first to make sure that it does not cause the dash plastic to become shiny. Reflections from that area can be troublesome.

I'd also add (to my earlier post in this thread), that maxnix recommended Lexol Vinylex for the dash plastic (I was sticking to dampened cloth in the past). I plan to give that a try sometime.

Z

this one doesn't make the dash shiny at all. Meguiar's protectant stuff make it shiny. So if you don't like to have shiny dash, this one will satisfy you.

[szh]

this one doesn't make the dash shiny at all. Meguiar's protectant stuff make it shiny. So if you don't like to have shiny dash, this one will satisfy you.

Okay, good!

Z

[antzrus]

When I want to titillate my olfactories and other things, I just grab a bottle of Zaino Leather in a Bottle and slap it all over my wood, plastic and some even on the leather too! Yeah its shiny on the plastic, but I really like it that way; bright (stimulates brain serotonin ).

My wife particularly loves sitting in the passenger seat w/her bare feet planted squarely and firmly on the plastic above the glove box. The feet apparently soak up the shiny from the Zaino and I'm left w/non shiny very clear imprints of the soles of her feet. Makes a nice conversation piece for the occasional passenger and a nice transitional object for me when I'm missing my spouse on long drives...

[szh]

Hmmm ... I did not know that Zaino had a leather product. Will have to give that a shot too.

I love their car exterior stuff though!

Z

[antzrus]

Hmmm ... I did not know that Zaino had a leather product. Will have to give that a shot too.

I love their car exterior stuff though!

Z

Oh yeah. Their Leather in a Bottle will also bring back the leather smell to your interior for a few weeks. It also smells great on your hands after you use it. You'll be sniffing your fingers for the rest of the day. Don't let others see you though, they'll think your fingers have been other places..!