Ok, I *know* there are some really dedicated M owners out there that can give good advice as to how to keep our pride and joy looking like new on the inside. I've picked up a couple of really good ideas, but would welcome any additions to my list
1. California cloth/wiper for the dash2. Microfiber cloth for instrument cluster / Nav screen3. Portable car vac
What I haven't found is a solution for the following:-- Leather cleaner/conditioner for the ventilated seats-- Cleaner for the instrument plastic-- Wet wipes for quick spot cleaning -- Cleaner for the wood accents
I do NOT like the wet plastic dash look, so pretty happy so far with the California cloth.
Scott
Interior cleaning options?
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M45Caliber
- Posts: 495
- Joined: Tue Jun 03, 2008 7:05 pm
- Car: 03 M45, 54K mi, Pearl, Chromes, Frozen Rotors/Hawk pads, 5000K Fogs, MagnaFlow Exhst, Lip Spoiler
Re: Interior cleaning options? (jshardin)
McGuires makes a plastic polish -- used for convertable back windows, motorcycle helmet visors nd windshields, etc. I spray a little onto a microfiber cloth and THEN polish the plastic.
The wood trim is coated with polyurethane or similar, so I just use EagleOne Nano-wax (Spray), once again, on to a diff. cloth, and then wipe/polish the wood trim.
If you want to apply a dash protector, I beleive it's McGuires that makes a Matte finish protecant. Can't recall if it's a spray or squeeze bottle, but it works.
For leather, I just use the Lexol Leather spray cleaner/conditioner. Stick with a good name brand and you will be OK. No ArmorAll and don't apply too much at one time. Spray and wipe a few times instead - if dirty.
The wood trim is coated with polyurethane or similar, so I just use EagleOne Nano-wax (Spray), once again, on to a diff. cloth, and then wipe/polish the wood trim.
If you want to apply a dash protector, I beleive it's McGuires that makes a Matte finish protecant. Can't recall if it's a spray or squeeze bottle, but it works.
For leather, I just use the Lexol Leather spray cleaner/conditioner. Stick with a good name brand and you will be OK. No ArmorAll and don't apply too much at one time. Spray and wipe a few times instead - if dirty.
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antzrus
- Posts: 1824
- Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 10:20 am
- Car: '06 M35x Premium/Obsidian/Bourbon/
Rosewood/XM/Tint/
ClearBra/SteelSkidPlate/Genuine CoCo Mats/Michelin CrossClimate2/Nav Hack/M-1 - Location: Wenatchee, Washington USA
Re: Interior cleaning options? (M45Caliber)
I use Zaino Leather in a Bottle for all the surfaces-except glass obviously. It leaves a little bit of a shine on plastic that is easily wiped down after a day or two to flat.
Smells damn nice. I spend the next day compulsively smelling my fingers; looks a little obscene...
Smells damn nice. I spend the next day compulsively smelling my fingers; looks a little obscene...
Re: Interior cleaning options? (jshardin)
I use Maguire's all the time but there is a spray product called ICE that goes on really easy and does not leave any white residue. Apply with a microfiber cloth. You can get it at Wal-Mart. It places a really nice shine on the car in a really short period of time.
Re: Interior cleaning options? (zoomie)
In last ten years I have owned three new cars (with and without leather) and never used any of these products. I thoroughly vacuum the interiors and then wipe everything with a damp cloth and then with a dry cloth. Just wanted to avoid using chemicals and my cars always looked very clean.
Recently, I bought a 2007 M35 which was thoroughly detailed by the dealer. I was very impressed by how new the car looked inside and out. Nobody could tell it was two years old. So I decided to try out these products on my 3 yr old minivan which started to look a bit dull from inside. Did some research on the internet and two brands always showed up at the top: Meguiar's and Mothers.
Bought Meguair's leather conditioner and dash cleaner. The dash cleaner is not like Armorall. I don't like the shiny oily looking dash which attracts lot of dust. The meguiar's dash cleaners leaves behind a rich looking matte finish on the dash. It also cleans plastic and vinyl. The leather conditioner changed the way the seats looked and felt. These products also protect the interiors from UV damage. Don't know how useful it is since most cars nowadays come with UV proof glass anyway.
Most of these products are applied using a micro fiber cloth on small areas at a time. Apply the product and rub it in until the wetness goes away. Then wipe off with a clean dry micro fiber cloth.
Recently, I bought a 2007 M35 which was thoroughly detailed by the dealer. I was very impressed by how new the car looked inside and out. Nobody could tell it was two years old. So I decided to try out these products on my 3 yr old minivan which started to look a bit dull from inside. Did some research on the internet and two brands always showed up at the top: Meguiar's and Mothers.
Bought Meguair's leather conditioner and dash cleaner. The dash cleaner is not like Armorall. I don't like the shiny oily looking dash which attracts lot of dust. The meguiar's dash cleaners leaves behind a rich looking matte finish on the dash. It also cleans plastic and vinyl. The leather conditioner changed the way the seats looked and felt. These products also protect the interiors from UV damage. Don't know how useful it is since most cars nowadays come with UV proof glass anyway.
Most of these products are applied using a micro fiber cloth on small areas at a time. Apply the product and rub it in until the wetness goes away. Then wipe off with a clean dry micro fiber cloth.