[cattygurl]

I'm looking for something I can apply to the dashboard and plastic interior parts on the car to make them look good/proect them from wear.

What do you think about Maguire's natural vinyl/plastic protection? does anyone have any recommendations?

 

[spacebug]

Ooooh shiiiiny!!!

I've had good luck with Meguiars and Armor-All, but for all of my wax, wash and detailing needs I now swear by products from Griot's Garage.

Richard Griot is a total car nut and offers some of the best products I've ever found and I've tried all of the big names. I especially like the cleaning clay to get the dirt out of the paint before waxing.


http://www.griotsgarage.com/index.jsp

 

[minako]

Clay bars are awesome, aren't they? I love how it makes the paint so smooth, like it was brand new again.

I tried pulling up the page but it wouldn't load for me. Server timed out. So I'll ask here - do they make a glass cleaner? I found a glass cleaner at Target in those handy dandy wipes but it leaves streaks all over the glass (and there is a LOT of glass on this car). Even though the package says "streak free!" it isn't. LOL

 

[devin1955]

I tried pulling up the page but it wouldn't load for me. Server timed out. So I'll ask here - do they make a glass cleaner? I found a glass cleaner at Target in those handy dandy wipes but it leaves streaks all over the glass (and there is a LOT of glass on this car). Even though the package says "streak free!" it isn't. LOL

Here's the best glass cleaner I've found.
http://www.invisibleglass.com/

You can find it in auto parts stores, or Sam's Club carries 4 packs of it in my area. Try cleaner used with a micro-fiber towel and I think you'll be sold.

 

[cattygurl]

I heard that I shouldn't use clay bars for the first 6 months to a year on a new car because is removes the protective finish/wax that's on the paint from the factory. Is this true?

Thanks for the Griot link!

 

[MrCoffee]

plain water and news paper cleans windows

 

[b1shmu63]

Clay is made up of microscopic diatoms, tiny shells of prehistoric sea life. Irregularities in the surface of the paint are ground flat in the same way that one laps a gemstone. Fresh paint is relatively soft and the Insight paint is relatively thin. I would proceed with moderation.

Show cars generally have several layers of clear coat applied before polishing to that glass like surface. Liquid car polishes normally have a fine abrasive in them as well, but the "wax" helps by filling in tiny voids, thereby achieving the same glassy look. Sunlight, oxidation, and air pollution break down the wax, then its time for another coat. In theory the "wax" acts as a sacrificial layer that protects the paint underneath.

 

[minako]

plain water and news paper cleans windows

Even after a bird has crapped all over it?

That's what happened to me this morning. I was driving along, minding my own business, and SPLAT! a huge thing covered my windshield. I was like, "What the...?" and cleaned it with the windshield wipers. There was some on the driver's side window, as well. I thought that was all there was. But when I got to work and inspected the rest of the car I found that it was all over the bumper, driver's side fender, and the hood. This must have been one BIG bird. Not sure if newspaper and water would have cut through that, especially since it baked in the sun for a good eight hours while I was at work.

 

[originalbadbob]

I certainly like Meguiars Tech Protect. You can either leave it shiny or wipe it again to get a reduced effect. It has a UV inhibitor in it and I also use it on my door gaskets and tires. I'm sure Amor All is good, but every dashboard I used it on (granted it was 25 yrs ago) cracked.
robert

 

[Rick]

I'll have to second the Meguiars too. They have a new maintenance product called quick interior detailer which is great for maintenance jobs inbetween and adds some UV protection at the same time. It leaves it looking very natural and nice.... smells good too.

 

[cattygurl]

I guess I am a bit paranoid as I've been warned by car enthusiasts to NEVER, EVER to use Armor-all (it actually breaks the plastic down and essentially, you're supposed to do more harm than good). Yet, people's opinion differ on what IS a good protectant. Some say silicone-based ones are best, others say silicone is bad for the plastic/vinyl too. So, Im left feeling very confused.
I also don't wanna be spraying toxic stuff on the interior of the car- my skin's incredibly sensitive. A lot of plastic cleaner/sprays have "TOXIC- SEVERE SKIN IRRITANT" WARNING LABELS, which is no good for someone who breaks out in rashes over dish soap. So, the one I found that seems to not be too irritanting to the skin and also get good reviews is Meguiar's Natural Shine. If anyone has used this specific product, lemme know how you like it... I've also heard rave reviews about 303 aerospace protectant. I also use a very, very diluted simple green mix to clean the plastic parts of my car, followed by a through wipe with clean water until all cleaner reside is gone. Is this bad for my car?

 

[Rick]

Natural shine is good, I personally thought the smell was a bit overpowering, but I'm the only one who didn't really like the smell. A personal favorite is Meguiar's professional #40 Vinyl & Rubber cleaner/conditioner. They sell it at many auto parts stores. It's in a beige bottle, unscrew the top and smell it if you see it. It's kind of almost a new car sort of smell, very clean smell.

All the Meguiar's interior products are water based, so they will come out easily if needed. Armorall on the other hand sticks like freakin glue! I have spent half days before scrubbing on interiors trying to remove the stuff. Personal experience:
http://www.meguiarsonline.com/forums/sh ... g+armorall

I have also heard good things about the 303 product, but have never used it personally. The heavily dilluted simple green is probably ok. I use Meguiar's all purpose cleaner to do the same occasionally. Most of their protectant products have some level of a cleaner integrated in to them so if used frequently separate cleaning shouldn't be needed very often! If I do get a car that's been neglected I will do a preclean though before. As far as silicones go there are good and bad silicones. I know I read a release from Meguiar's saying how they do use some silicons, but not the harmful type. It bothers me to think any company would knowingly put harmful silicones in their products, but I guess they're just out to make a quick buck.

BTW, if you buy a Meguiar's product and there is something wrong with it they will send you a new one, or refund your money. I've never had a problem with their products that wasn't resolved with a phone call. I had the sprayer nozzles on a few of their bottles loose their prime and quit working, one phone call and they sent me two brand new full ones! You might try calling their 800 number and see what their suggestion would be for your sensative skin.