Thanks for your replies.
At my last interior detailing, I could get reasonably clean glass by wiping off Mercedes-Benz Interior Care (made by Meguiars) well with dry TurtleWax microfiber towels.
Today, I did tests on a glass mirror panel at home.
The first test is to simulate a novice.
The second test is to simulate a more experience detailer.
Note: The amount of product applied and the amount of wiping were not very well controlled. So these tests probably contain error.
Vinyl protectants tested:
303 Aerospace Protectant (Manufacturer claims that this product works on clear plastic.)
ArmorAll Original Protectant, New&Improved: Stronger UV Protection (Label warning: do not use on or near glass)
Meguiars Natural Shine (Purchased last year. Last yearâ€â„¢s MSDS indicates hydrotreated distillate and polysiloxane, but current MSDS does not say about them. I do not know whether Meguiars has reformulated this product or whether the law governing MSDS has changed. This product is much more viscous than other products tested here.)
Meguiars NXT Tech Protectant (For those who are sensitive to petroleum distillate: this product contains isoparaffinic hydrocarbon. The label also has the phrase âہ“contains petroleum distillateâ€Â�. This product is the only clear color product tested here. The product is not water-soluble. Label instruction: wipe off excess product from clear plastic and glass. This product feels very oily during application.)
Mothers Preserves (For those who are sensitive to silicone: this product contains silicon emulsion according to the label. This is in old style bottle, not the new 2005 style bottle named Protectant instead of Preserves. I read on waxforum that the content is the same, though the bottle and name changed. Label instruction: Use PRESERVES! on clean surfaces. Does this indicate milder cleaning ability than other products?)
TurtleWax F21 Super Protectant (Label instruction: Apply . . . on a clean, dry surface. Does this indicate milder cleaning ability than other products?)
TurtleWax Platinum Series Ultra Shine Protectant (Label warning: Avoid contact with clear plastic and glass.)
Vinylex (According to my personal experience on MB-Tex vinyl seat, this product has good cleaning ability â€â€œ but not as strong cleaning as dedicated cleaner such as Meguiars Heavy Duty Carpet & Interior Cleaner -. Label instruction: Keep away from glass or instruments to avoid visual distortion.)
Products that can be used on leather according to the label: 303 Protectants, TurtleWax F21, TurtleWax Platinum Series Ultra Shine Protectant.
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Test procedure: wipe on each product small amount -> wipe on each product large amount -> wait 5 minutes -> quick wipe each area with new napkin -> wipe off each area with dry Meguiars 100% cotton towel -> wipe off each area with dry Meguiars 100% cotton towel
Meguiars Natural Shine and Meguiars NXT Protectant left most clean surface. Others left white haze or oily residue.
303, ArmorAll, Mothers left white haze on the mirror. Vinylex left a little less white haze.
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Test procedure: wipe on each product small amount -> wait 5 minutes -> quick wipe each area with new napkin -> wipe off each area with dry Meguiars 100% cotton towel -> wipe off each area with dry Meguiars 100% cotton towel -> wipe off each area with napkin -> wipe off each area with a generic brand dry terry towel
Mothers Preserves and Meguiars Natural Shine left most clean surface. Then, TurtleWax F21, and then Meguiars NXT Protectant.
Other products left more oily film or white haze.
When I wiped the towel with pressure, Meguiars Natural Shine area squeaked the most, and 303 Protectant area squeaked the least.
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