taking care of the glossy black interior

[scanesare]

Not a fan of detailing so I figured I'd rather ask the pros, what product(s) do you suggest for keeping the glossy black bits of the interior clean? Normally I'd just use a damp cloth but I have the feeling, scratches are far easier to develop on those surfaces if you don't use the right products. I am not talking cleaning dirt as I keep it relatively clean, but rather keeping dust and fingerprints away and preserve as much "glossiness" as possible. Suggestions for the upper dash are also welcome, I know I am probably not doing the right way anyway.

[Beezer]

Not a fan of detailing so I figured I'd rather ask the pros, what product(s) do you suggest for keeping the glossy black bits of the interior clean? Normally I'd just use a damp cloth but I have the feeling, scratches are far easier to develop on those surfaces if you don't use the right products. I am not talking cleaning dirt as I keep it relatively clean, but rather keeping dust and fingerprints away and preserve as much "glossiness" as possible. Suggestions for the upper dash are also welcome, I know I am probably not doing the right way anyway.

Might not be the best solution, but for keeping on top of fingerprints I got a tablet cleaning kit from Sainsbury's. Was about £6/7 and all it is is a little bottle of spray and a small microfibre type cloth. Just keep it in the little draw under the drivers seat and then give it a quick spray and wipe once a week.

[deltarikk]

I use Auto Finesse trim dressing called Dressle with a soft mf cloth, it'll do external plastics also but I just use internally on dash and all the gloss & plastic trim .....leaves interior smelling very pleasant as well!

[Booth11]

Any good interior cleaner or glass cleaner and very soft plush microfibres, and lightweight MF's such as WoWo ones are great for interior jobs.  It's a light careful touch that's the key to keeping scratches at bay.  I use compressed air (in cans) to chase off dust from sensitive trim areas and then capture it airborne in a microfibre.  Also a good his hair detailing brush is your friend.   I favour Poorboys Natural Look Dressing and Auto Finesse Total Interior Cleaner for piano trim, as well as my posher Swissvax Interior dressing.  Regular cleaning is better than letting it get into a real state then it requiring more action to clean it up.  Little and often is the mantra.

Fab plush MF's - DoDo Juice Fantastic Fur

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/microfibre-cloths/microfibre-buffing-towels/dodo-juice-fantastic-fur-microfibre-buffing-cloth/prod_948.html

Fab lightweight MF's WoWo (20% forum discount with code GTIFORUM20)

https://wo-wo.co.uk/collections/wo-wo-car-detailing-products/products/3pc-microfibre-cloth-set

Poorboys Natural Look Dressing

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=328

AF Total Interior Cleaner

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=1120

WoWo Natural detailing brushes

https://wo-wo.co.uk/collections/wo-wo-car-detailing-products/products/x2-pack-wo-wo-detailing-brushes

ValetPro detailing brushes

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Valet-PRO-Dash-Brush/dp/B00542SPCO

Compressed air

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Valet-PRO-Dash-Brush/dp/B00542SPCO



Jimble, if you are around, can you shift this thread to the detailing section please. 

[david25]

You can also use a camera puffer instead of compressed air

[scanesare]

Thanks for the suggestions. So MF cloth with a decent interior cleaner and going soft seems to be the right way. Also forgot to say I'd rather go with something as water-based and as odour-less as possible (seems Dressler and Poorboy's Natural Look Dressing are such ones?), as I don't want any artificial/chemical smell left-over. I think I'll give the above products a try (if they can be available in Sweden).

[Booth11]

Thanks for the suggestions. So MF cloth with a decent interior cleaner and going soft seems to be the right way. Also forgot to say I'd rather go with something as water-based and as odour-less as possible (seems Dressler and Poorboy's Natural Look Dressing are such ones?), as I don't want any artificial/chemical smell left-over. I think I'll give the above products a try (if they can be available in Sweden).

If you want odourless forget Poorboys Natural Look, it's smells of marzipan. AF Total fairly innocuous though.  Try looking at Gtechniq Tri Clean and similar.

http://www.cleanyourcar.co.uk/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=1798&review=write

[deltarikk]

Thanks for the suggestions. So MF cloth with a decent interior cleaner and going soft seems to be the right way. Also forgot to say I'd rather go with something as water-based and as odour-less as possible (seems Dressler and Poorboy's Natural Look Dressing are such ones?), as I don't want any artificial/chemical smell left-over. I think I'll give the above products a try (if they can be available in Sweden).

I should add that the AF Dressle does have a sweet sort of odour although it is water based.....I like their air fresheners so find it nice but thought I'd mention it

[scanesare]

Thanks for the heads up. I think I'll go with the I2 Tri-Clean suggested. It's not available at the link above but I found it at and ebay.co.uk seller that ships to Sweden (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gtechniq-I2-Tri-Clean-500ml-Antibacterial-All-Surface-Interior-Cleaner-/252958036011?hash=item3ae579502b) so I figure I'd throw in a couple of more products to save on shipping costs. Couple of Gtechniq MF1 ZeroR Microfiber Buffing Cloths are fine? (It's what Gtechniq suggests using with the cleaner).

Also, while I'm at it, do I need a special cleaner (and mitt) for wheels for lacquer protection or wheel cleaners are mainly to remove brake dust and heavy road dirt that car shampoo's can't?

[Booth11]

Thanks for the heads up. I think I'll go with the I2 Tri-Clean suggested. It's not available at the link above but I found it at and ebay.co.uk seller that ships to Sweden (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gtechniq-I2-Tri-Clean-500ml-Antibacterial-All-Surface-Interior-Cleaner-/252958036011?hash=item3ae579502b) so I figure I'd throw in a couple of more products to save on shipping costs. Couple of Gtechniq MF1 ZeroR Microfiber Buffing Cloths are fine? (It's what Gtechniq suggests using with the cleaner).

Also, while I'm at it, do I need a special cleaner (and mitt) for wheels for lacquer protection or wheel cleaners are mainly to remove brake dust and heavy road dirt that car shampoo's can't?

Gtechniq microfibres will be perfect.

Wheel cleaners are not protectants for lacquer.  They are used a a pre-wash spray, to aid removal of brake dust and other dirt and are personal choice really, but if you do use a wheel cleaner, make sure it's non acidic, as the latter can damage lacquer and if there's any slight weakness in the lacquer such as a kerb mark, acidic cleaners get under it and can cause damage.  Non acidic wheel cleaners such as ValetPro Bilberry Wheel Cleaner is fine and best used at dilution ratios of 1:8 or 1:10 for regular maintenance use as a pre-wash (to the normal wheel wash), and at these dilutions won't strip any protection you have on the wheels.

However, wheel cleaners are not the same as products such iron removers, and so won't shift embedded brake dust or iron deposits which build up on all wheels (and body work) over time, but a wheel cleaner will prevent build up as will good wheel sealant/wax.  Iron removers and tar removers such as Iron X and Tardis are the products that remove embedded iron/brake dust/fallout and tar/glue/sap, that normal washing won't touch and are best used 2/3 times a year.  These products will strip any sealant or wax so you need to reapply protection after use of them.

A wheel mitt is a very good choice. Choose a microfibre one and as well as being great for gentle washing of wheels, they protect your hands from the sharp knuckle shredding brake guards.  Another product to consider for effective wheel cleaning is a set of Wheel Woolies, which are brilliant for all wheel jobs, and tailpipe cleaning. They are pricy for a set of 3 different sizes but a very good long term investment as they last years if looked after.  Most good detailing gear websites sell a version of them.