Cleaning vinyl

[Izzy]

Not sure if this information belongs in this forum or the product review, but wanted to share some findings from over the weekend.

My 99 C2 Cabrios' vinly interior (doors, dash, backseat sides) are beige from factory. But I did not know what the real color was until Sunday, when I decided to clean it. As I was trying a bunch of automotive and household cleaners, my wife came by with a "Mr. Clean Eraser" sponge. I tried it, and to my surprise, it worked great. Truly unbeliavable. The "blackness" dirt from the vinyl crevaces simply came out on the sponge, leaving a perfect beige surface as if it has never seen the outdoors.

I used 5 sponges, sometimes augemented them with "Mr. Clean" liquid, and the car interior looks brand new. The color is amazing. We emptied about a dozen buckets of dirty black water in the process of rinsing the sponge. The residue was removed with a clean wet hand towel.

After dried, used Armorall for all the surfaces.

Izzy

[munro86]

Not sure if this information belongs in this forum or the product review, but wanted to share some findings from over the weekend.

My 99 C2 Cabrios' vinly interior (doors, dash, backseat sides) are beige from factory. But I did not know what the real color was until Sunday, when I decided to clean it. As I was trying a bunch of automotive and household cleaners, my wife came by with a "Mr. Clean Eraser" sponge. I tried it, and to my surprise, it worked great. Truly unbeliavable. The "blackness" dirt from the vinyl crevaces simply came out on the sponge, leaving a perfect beige surface as if it has never seen the outdoors.

I used 5 sponges, sometimes augemented them with "Mr. Clean" liquid, and the car interior looks brand new. The color is amazing. We emptied about a dozen buckets of dirty black water in the process of rinsing the sponge. The residue was removed with a clean wet hand towel.

After dried, used Armorall for all the surfaces.

Izzy

Where did the Mrs get it Izz?

Thanks,

jason

[Izzy]

Right at our local grocery store (Harris Teeter), in the household cleaning aisle. It was with the sponges.

I left a small section of my dash untouched to show some friends. It is like night and day.

Izzy

[eastriver]

do u put any protection/coating after cleaning your vinyl?

i have black int. i can tell you how dirty it is. the dust stuck between the fine gap of the vinyl, so hard to clean.

[Izzy]

That is exactly the same problem I had. The sponges cleaned it up. Just follow the instructions on the label and you will see the sponge turn brown as it sucks the dirt out. You have to rinse the sponges to get the dirt off.

I used Armorall after cleaning.

[Q-Ship986]

Be careful using these types of sponges; they are abrasive in the sense of light polishing compound or hand glaze. Do not use too aggressively on a painted surface, such as the "soft touch" consoles and door pocket covers and the like; first the dirt will come off, then the paint. --Brian

Edited August 1, 2006 by Q-Ship986

[Izzy]

Very true. Some of the older style sponges had two sides, one rough one smooth (to remove crayon from painted walls and smooth surfaces). The newer sponges I bouth only had the smooth side, and no issues, as they desintegrate if you press too hard. Still be careful which ones you use, specially on painted surfaces, since both styles are still on some store shelves.

[eastriver]

you think Armorall is "oily"?

i used Armorall on my streeing wheel of my other car. i hate the oily feel so much.

Edited August 1, 2006 by eastriver

[Izzy]

Classic Armorall on the vinyl and plastic. Armorall also makes a leather product. I use both, and the Armorall for leather also on seats.