Detailing new car but not the exterior

[cmdrdredd]

I have the paint covered with my two buckets, Tech wax, paint sealant from chemical guys, tire dressing, chamois for drying, multiple micro fiber cloths for different usages (applying, buffing, etc) even have the glass covered with water spot remover and such. I have a ton of products to keep the paint and plastic trim looking new.

Here’s the part I need to get a handle on. Cleaning and protecting the interior plastic, vinyl, and leather surfaces. Is basic leather cleaner and conditioner applied once a month enough? Is there any specific product or habit I should look into? What about the plastic trim on the door and dash? The dash has some leather as well. Same process as the seats or different animal because of the sun exposure? I live in south Florida and we are known for very harsh sun and lots of humidity which I can fight easily on the exterior but the inside of the car is a little different for me. I’m not sure if there are any breakthrough products or practices I should be aware of. A good friend who works for a dealer says don’t use anything but a chamois on the dash to wipe the dust and dirt away and leave it alone. Others have suggested various cleaners with UV protectants but again I’ve heard some of these products bake into the surface in the sun and create a problem down the line with cracking etc. not sure what to believe. I also have 30% tint in the front and 15% in the back which is the max legal in FL to combat some of the sun but I realize I cannot neglect it.

I’d gladly accept any and all suggestions for interior detailing to keep the car looking new. Thanks for reading my wall of text lol

 

[NutBucket]

Unless you have a Rolls or something most car leather is treated and sealed with a bunch of chemicals and such...almost like a clear coat. Just keep it clean.

For vinyl and such I just wipe down with a damp rag to keep the dust off. If you want a produce you can try something like 303 protectant. I've heard for years Armor-All causes cracking but honestly I'm not convinced.

For protecting the dash from the sun the most effective weapon you have is a good sunshade or covered parking.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Unless you have a Rolls or something most car leather is treated and sealed with a bunch of chemicals and such...almost like a clear coat. Just keep it clean.

For vinyl and such I just wipe down with a damp rag to keep the dust off. If you want a produce you can try something like 303 protectant. I've heard for years Armor-All causes cracking but honestly I'm not convinced.

For protecting the dash from the sun the most effective weapon you have is a good sunshade or covered parking.

I’ve read so much conflicting information I can’t make heads or tails of I gave up and decided to pose a question. Also it’s not a rolls lol but I do want to keep everything in tip top condition, I’ve always been a little OCD about that. Sounds like a good leather cleaner and conditioner fairly often will be the ticket for the upholstery.

 

[NutBucket]

My point wasn't to put down your car, it was merely to say the materials are heavily treated so the effectiveness of actual leather cleaners and such is debatable.

If you want some good (and perhaps overly thorough) detailing advice, check out AMMO NYC on YouTube

 

[dmoney1980]

Try Griot’s Garage interior cleaner. It’s safe for all interior surfaces and doesn’t include any harsh chemicals or perfumes. I clean everything except my navi screen with it. Then I do another coat with 303 interior protector as it keeps dust to a minimum and has UV protection. It leaves a nice sheen without overkill shine like armor all. Then I treat my leather seats with Meguiars gold class leather cleaner and conditioner spray.

 

[FeuerFrei]

I use a vinyl / plastic cleaner for the dash, armrests, steering wheel, console. It's all vinyl and plastic. ( If I were at home now I could go find what brand I use. ) So much hand grime and sweat builds up.

Also use some gel protectant to preserve the vinyl dash. I've used a variety of protectants over the last 21 years, and there are no splits in the vinyl.

Can't help with leather care. My seats are velour. Actually I use Tuff Stuff® foam cleaner on the seats AND floor carpet.

And to keep door seals and weatherstripping pliable - use Gummi Pflege Stift.

 

[Mutilator]

303 Aerospace Protectant.

 

[cmdrdredd]

My point wasn't to put down your car, it was merely to say the materials are heavily treated so the effectiveness of actual leather cleaners and such is debatable.

If you want some good (and perhaps overly thorough) detailing advice, check out AMMO NYC on YouTube

Did I come off like that? Didn’t mean to.

 

[cmdrdredd]

303 Aerospace Protectant.

Second time I’ve seen this product name. Time to get to google.

 

[NutBucket]

Did I come off like that? Didn’t mean to.

No worries, I wasn't sure if I came off like that!

 

[Meghan54]

Try Griot’s Garage interior cleaner. It’s safe for all interior surfaces and doesn’t include any harsh chemicals or perfumes. I clean everything except my navi screen with it. Then I do another coat with 303 interior protector as it keeps dust to a minimum and has UV protection. It leaves a nice sheen without overkill shine like armor all. Then I treat my leather seats with Meguiars gold class leather cleaner and conditioner spray.

I agree "regular" Armor all has a shine that's too damn much. But I've found 303 isn't much better in that regard. If you can stand the Armor All name, their Natural Shine is not too shiny at all.....more like a satin type gloss.

 

[paperfist]

I always liked Lexol for leather. Kept my cheap GM leather seats soft and uncracked.

 

[OlyAR15]

Gyeon Leather Shield

 

[Herr Kutz]

Unless you have a Rolls or something most car leather is treated and sealed with a bunch of chemicals and such...almost like a clear coat. Just keep it clean.

For vinyl and such I just wipe down with a damp rag to keep the dust off. If you want a produce you can try something like 303 protectant. I've heard for years Armor-All causes cracking but honestly I'm not convinced.

For protecting the dash from the sun the most effective weapon you have is a good sunshade or covered parking.

Are those new-fangled "soft touch" dashes resistant to cracking?

 

[cmdrdredd]

Try Griot’s Garage interior cleaner. It’s safe for all interior surfaces and doesn’t include any harsh chemicals or perfumes. I clean everything except my navi screen with it. Then I do another coat with 303 interior protector as it keeps dust to a minimum and has UV protection. It leaves a nice sheen without overkill shine like armor all. Then I treat my leather seats with Meguiars gold class leather cleaner and conditioner spray.

Hey thanks for this suggestion. Stuff is great and works on everything like you said. Great stuff.

Also thanks for the suggestions everyone else gave on the 303 Aerospace protectant. These two products together seem awesome for South Florida.