Cleaning your interior

I would avoid the armorall products like the plague! I picked up some of their interior wipes once when I was out of Meguiar's wipes thinking they would be the same. They are NOT! I was cleaning my BMW e36 dash and noticed that they were removing the white paint on my wipers and cruise control levers!

Wipes, Cleaning Wipes, Car Wipes | Armor All

Occasionally I will use them for hoses and plastics in the engine bay.

Leatherique is the best in my opinion for the leather parts.

I have found some great articles and videos here:
Detailed Image - Premium Auto Detailing and Car Care Products

I bought the Griot's Garage polisher, pads, polish and did not have much luck with it after watching their how-to video. In fact, I may have even made things worse... However, after watching some of the videos of Todd and how he does it, my results are pretty impressive using the Griots Garage stuff!

Todd Cooperider | Ask a Pro Blog

 

I use vinylex on rubbery parts, aerospace 303 on plasticy parts, water on sticky prone parts, and leatherique cleaner on leather.

 

303 is awesome on plastic and leather. I'd also mist it over the engine bay and wipe it down after a few minutes.

 

Poorboys Natural look for the dash. Not sticky, not glossy - a lovely finish.

 

Also the 303 is a priority on the dash.

Great UV protection.

I get it at the local boat supply store.

 

Hands down Leatherique is the best! Does not make the leather shiny, smell weird, or stiff.

 

Does anyone use Lexol conditioner for the leather? Does it affect the color of the stitching?

 

Leatherique .

I think the parts get sticky from age and heat much more so than from a product.

 

Leatherique is a great product for annual or semi annual deep conditioning...but it is a lot of work and time to use properly.

My preference for weekly or monthly cleanings/maintenance is Griots Garage Leather Care Spray. It is very mild at cleaning, and conditions as well. It is gentle and safe...I use it all the time in my daily driver BMW....used to use it in the 355 too...but with the Scud no need for leather care products..

 

BTW, I was just at the Griots Garage store for a detailing seminar with the Ferrari Club on Saturday and they have a new detailing spray for use on vinyl and leather...I bought some, but have not tried it out yet. They say it is sort of an "all in one" for light cleaning and conditioning for leather and vinyl. I plan to use it exclusively for plastic and vinyl only....and continue to use the Leather Care Spray on the leather seats.

 

I hadn't thought of using 303 in the engine compartment, and yesterday I tried it when I needed a little clean up. Worked very nicely! Thanks for the tip Rick!