this might seem like a stupid question but i'm honestly stumped.
i have the leather package for my car and i was wondering whether parts of the dash/console/doors are leather or is it just the steering wheel/seats.
i ask because i bought one of those "works on all surfaces" wipes (that uses the power of oranges!) but it left my doors/dash/console even dirtier, it seems. like, there are streaks and "wet" spots here and there (i have wet in quotes 'cuz the area appears to look wet but when i rub my finger over the area, it's dry and won't rub).
so i thought maybe some of the areas are leather and i should've used a leather-safe product?

maybe someone can tell me their steps on how they clean their interiors.
like what products you use and etc.
thanks.

 

This is what you are gonna do. If you do this exactly the way I describe, I guarantee that you will be a happy camper....... Assuming that the orange stuff did not do any permenant damage ( i doubt it though)


For the door panels, (including inserts), dash and leather seats....

1. Use a 1to3 parts solution of simple green (nevermind what the lable says )and water and wipe down everything that is vinal or leather related with a CLEAN white cloth(this includes the dash) This is gonna gonna lift alot of the surface dirt and also get rid of that orange oil junk you slathered on there. It will also get rid of all the sweat and body oils that are in the pores of the vinal and leather. Your rag should become quite gray depending on how bad it is. Repeat this one more time. BTW- don't ever use any time of orange oil again in your car.

2. Now that you have pulled out alot of the oil and grime out, its time to really get deep down....Use about 3-5 slightly wet Mr. clean magic earasors and and rub it into the doors, leather, etc. These things are gonna get pretty gross once they do their job. Ther are going to lift all the little pieces of trapped dirt that the rag and simple green could not. (the simple green was basically a primer) This dirt is what makes the cracks in leather look really bad-and gives your door handles that tired look. remove this dirt and the cracks in the leather are much less noticable, and the door handles will look new. You will see your leather start to brighten up especially if you have tan leather. Dry the spots that you hit up with the magic erasor with another rag, otherwise you will have dirty water dripping all over the place

3. If you have done this (assuming that you did not do a half @ss job, and really went to town on it) then you rinterior should look practically brand new. Now the thing is, doing the simple green/ magic earasor combo is really harsh on the leather and vinal as it pretty much sucks out every thing oily. SO- you are going to replenish the oils of the leather. Use some lexol to nourish the leather and rehydrate it. For the vinal and dash, use some 303 protectant.

DO NOT USE THE MAGIC ERASOR OR SIMPLE GREEN ON YOUR GAUGE CLUSTER OR OTHE PLASTIC CONTROLS (BASICALY YOUR CENTER CONSOLE WHER THE RADIO, HEATER ETC, CONTROLS ARE)

Post back and let me know how it goes. Good luck

 

If you have a black interior I wouldn't recommend the Magic Eraser, it will leave a white residue. I hear good things about it on the tan though.

I like to use 1 Part Woolite to 6 Parts Water in a sprayer, it's safe on all fabric, leather and vinyl in your interior. Spray on a Microfiber and clean away. 303 to protect.

 

first, thanks a bunch for the replies.
i'm getting my tints done on tuesday so i'll clean the car after i get home from the shop; i printed this page out and will follow both replies.
but i have another question. are you telling me the orange wipe from armor all is a bad product for my interior?

if so, then i've been using the wrong product this whole time
luckily, it's my first (and, i guess, last) time using it in my I30.
well, i guess a spray and towel are better than using the wipe.

 

Don't forget to vacuum out the seats first, going after the crumbs and shiznit out of the crevices. Pulling on them lightly to expose the seems will show a bunch of it.

If you still have the original floor mats, you might get a carpet cleaner on them and tuck them away for safe keeping. Get a cheap set and just break out the originals for re-sale prresentations or those "special trips".

Every car I've owned, I've saved the original mats and the person I sold it to was wowed by the condition of the originals. It showed the care I took of the car and probably boosted the sale terms.

 

1:3 simple green hasn't caused you any problems? That's some pretty strong **** isn't it? Maybe I'll have to try it (on somebody elses car )

 

yes- simple green is quite strong. 1:3 has not caused me any problems. maybe 1:4, I was guestimating- I go by color

 

most armorall products are not so great. Use them up in the engine bay i suppose.

 

Will the woolite-water mix do anything for the muck I have on my steering wheel? If not, what will?
Thanks

 

Yes, you can use that mixture on the steering wheel OR the simple green stuff diluted. Follow with protectant and don't drive til it sets up, could be slick you know.