Cleaning a dirty interior

Well guys I did it. The interior is virtually spotless. I cleaned out as much as I could, even spending 20 minutes on each vent to make sure it was spotless. I just did it with a Woolite Water mix (8:1) and various brushes. No Meg's #40 as of yet, since I didn't have a chance to buy it. Don't have any pics as of yet either, but i'll have them up soon.

Any other reccomendations for Plastic polish. It actually looks pretty scratched up without the dust covering it.
 
Great news! Glad you were able to achieve some good results. A lot of times, that's what it comes down to, just taking the time to do it properly. Post the pics when you get a chance.

Did you try the recommended PlastX?
 
Well after letting the literal and metaphorical dust settle, it looks like I didn't do as good a job as I thought I did. Theres still minor residue and stuff left over which I will go over next weekend. I was mostly concerned about just cleaning it up and getting the majority of the dirt out. I will devote next weekend to getting the car into showroom shape. I think i'll bump up the Water/Woolite dilution to 6:1. Also, I bought some Meg's #40 and tried it in another car and it looks great so I will have to use that next weekend as well. Also, any brush recommendations for really small and tight spaces. I still have dirt where the cigarette lighter is and deep in some vents. I tried Q-Tips and small little dollar store paint brushes, but they didnt do much.

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Tried some rubbing compound on the plastic. Didn't work. I did not give the PlastX a try, I just bought it today and never got a chance. How would I apply it? Do I need a foam pad or is a microfibre ok?
 
Also, that spot that you see in Pics 3 and 4. I can't seem to get it out. Its like its in the plastic. Any ideas?
 
240SX said:
Well after letting the literal and metaphorical dust settle, it looks like I didn't do as good a job as I thought I did. Theres still minor residue and stuff left over which I will go over next weekend. I was mostly concerned about just cleaning it up and getting the majority of the dirt out. I will devote next weekend to getting the car into showroom shape. I think i'll bump up the Water/Woolite dilution to 6:1. Also, I bought some Meg's #40 and tried it in another car and it looks great so I will have to use that next weekend as well. Also, any brush recommendations for really small and tight spaces. I still have dirt where the cigarette lighter is and deep in some vents. I tried Q-Tips and small little dollar store paint brushes, but they didnt do much.

Tried some rubbing compound on the plastic. Didn't work. I did not give the PlastX a try, I just bought it today and never got a chance. How would I apply it? Do I need a foam pad or is a microfibre ok?
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After you go over the areas with W&W again, get a bucket of warm water and a MF towel and just wipe everything down again with just water. Any remaining soap residues can cause spotting from dirt/dust that is attracted. IIRC #40 has some cleaners in it. After all of that the vinyl surfaces should be pretty clean.

I can't tell for certain, but the spot you refer to "looks" to be a flaw in the plastic. You can work on it with the PlastX and see if you can at least lessen the appearance if not completely remove it.

Rubbing compound, as I know it, doesn't sound like a good idea on plastic. The material is too soft.

For large areas, you can use a foam pad, but for smaller areas, a MF towel wrapped around your finger(s) will be the ticket. Be patient. It is not a miracle product, you may have to make several passes.
 
I recently bought some Kiwi brand shoe polishing brushes, and some various brushes used for gun cleaning, a denture brush is one of my most used brushes for tight spots like that. I have no idea how the plast-x will work on that plastic but it does well on bug shields and headlight covers with a machine application. keep up the good work, TD
 
Try cutting the bristles on the paint brushes so they are shorter/stiffer. That may help loosen stuff in the crevasses. If you don't want to cut the bristles, tape around them towards the tips. That can also firm them up.
 
BOWANNA03 said:
what kind of woolite are you guys using. Are you shamppoing with it. and you said to mix it 8:1 correct
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I use Woolite for fine washables by hand, either 8 to 1 or 10 to 1. Some people use heavy duty Woolite for washing machines. I dont know what the mixing rates are .
 
The laundry soap, marketed for washing your delicates and fine woolens. :) The "regular" version as opposed to the newer versions for dark/all colors. I have not seen the HE version, but I might give it a try.

I shampoo neither my hair nor my carpets or upholstery with it. :D I primarily use it for maintenance only cleaning of leather surfaces. It will work fine as an apc for your vinyl surfaces as well. It is a "mild" soap.
 
teck said:
whats with the phone thingy? and what kinda radio is that
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My father (previous owner) modified the ashtray and put a keypad in the lid. This was for an alarm system he was building, but never finished. I still have the siren under my hood.

The radio is an old Pioneer KEXM800 tape deck. The thing above it is an MEI graphic EQ with amp. Both really old and will be replaced as soon as I start driving this car.

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Hey guys just an update. I tried polishing with PlastX and it didn't really yield any noticeable results. The plastic is now slippery, but still didn't get rid of any scratches
 
Did you use cotton, microfiber, or foam for an applicator? 100% cotton (terry weave) would provide the most "bite".
 
So I tried using a terry towel, but it did the same thing that it did before, it just made more scratches. I think I may be applying it wrong or something because its just making it worse. I put a little bit on my applicator, then make rub it into the plastic and then wipe it off.

I would think of repainting it if I could somehow replicate that shifting symbol thing
 
No, you application method sounds OK. It is curious that the cotton towel created scratches. :confused: Are you certain the towel is 100% cotton? Some cheaper towels have a cheap poly backing which could scratch a soft plastic. But if the plastic is that soft, it should be very easy to correct. Maybe try a foam applicator.
 
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