Do you clean prior to wiping on any vinyl reconditioner ?

[chip douglas]

Don`t get me wrong here, i`m not too lazy to clean the whole interior vinyl, prior to applying vinyl dressing. and i guess it would make the job look better to first use any APC to wipe on the whole vinyl surface, but in doubt i prefer asking.



Why do i ask this ? Cause i have bought a vinyl reconditioner(locally), the brand is *finish kare*, and asked the rep. if it contained silicone, and it doesn`t, and also he told me that the stuff actually cleans and rejuvenate vinyl, so he said i didnt have to clean the surface prior to using it, which i have doubts about, and that`s where i come in with this question about cleaning, as i`m big on doing proper work, BUT if this step is almost useless, then i`ll skip it, as there`s already much to do round the car, without putting extra strain :nixweiss





P.S. what i think would be best(but i may be mistaken here) is to use some kind of duster, or a vaccum with the right extention, tu remove dust, then apply vinyl dressing, like 303, but polishing it a lot, so it doesnt leave a greasy film.



see y`all :)

[wash_me]

I am not a big fan of applying interior vinyl dressing. I might apply it two times a year to my cars just add oils back into the vinyl, now if you had a convertible thats a differ story. But anyway I would clean the vinyl first.

[Patrick]

It would be like waxing without cleaning first, right ? Same theory....

You should give it a cleaning first, I would go with the APC of choice, then condition.....There are cleaner/preservatives for vinyl though....Just like cleaner/waxes.....:p

[chip douglas]

thanks for your comments and inputs guys, i appreciate it much ;)

[KCPreki11]

Can`t say I agree, I think #40 also cleans and conditions. I know what you mean. I used to APC and Condition everything. Now I just APC all vinyl and condition from just the front seat belts forward. So I just condition door, dash, middle console, and the front seat area. I had to find a way to save time on the interior. I`d like to see what the pros do, I bet they use a one step.

[chris0626]

I have two different approaches, and both seem to work well.



On the Jag show-car, I clean the vinyl using Einszett Plastik Reiniger (translates "plastic/vinyl cleaner"). Reviews of Plastik Reiniger are

in the Product Reviews section (http://www.autopia.org/review/censura.php?tsid=1&csid=080e0606b2ceef5f767b9160b1b2d75c&cmd=details&itemid=292). I was astounded by the amount of grime the Plastik Reiniger pulls out and the ease of use; it seems both aggressive and easy/gentle, which -- I know -- seems like an oxymoron. But that`s my perception. Then I condition using 303 on a damp yellow foam applicator and buff off with a MF.



On the Benz and on friends` cars that I detail, I`m using Poorboy`s Natural Look for the interior vinyl. To me, it seems like a very effective, easy-to-use one-step cleaner and conditioner. And personally I like the smell.



To me, Poorboy`s seems to have a little more sheen than the Plastik-Reiniger/303 combo.

[SVR]

I only rejuvinate my car`s interior once a year or if i find some stains.Most vinyl and rubber conditioners i believe are too oily. I use a damp perforated poly vinyl alcohol chamois to remove dust from the interior plastics and any stains are taken out with Lanotec Citra Force. I follow this with Orkin Of London Leather and Vinyl Groom or Blue Magic Vinyl Cleaner. 3M plastic polish is pretty good too. I hate having a darker than new, sheeny look in car interiors.

[imported_Larry A]

I just clean my vinyl with Murphy Oil Soap in the spray bottle.

[panapower]

I just cleaned a celica and it`s interior last night and I DEFINITELY had to use a cleaner to wipe off the dirt and grime from teh vinyl before applying the dressing on it. Even after cleaning it the yellow foam pad for the dressing was dirty.

[shaf]

Well my dash and most surfaces don`t get that dirty, but I`ve found simply wiping down the surfaces really well with a damp MF cleans it pretty thoroughly for me. I was using soapy water before but then started to notice it cleaned without soap too (gee, just like MF companies say!). :p



PanaPower, please check your PMs...