Interior Protectant - Is it really needed ?

[bswombaugh]

With the advances in the materials used on interior surfaces; Do you feel it is necessary to keep a protectant on the dash, door panels and other vinyl/plastic/leather surfaces ? Have they been proven to extend the life and color of these substrates? If so; What are some recommendations or preferences of the most durable protectants available ?

[Stokdgs]

Einszett (1-Z) Cockpit Premium...
Dan F

[trashmanssd]

303 Protectant, Yeah I don`t believe most of these manufacturers care about a car much past 3 year 36,000 miles and what can get them there cheapest. I sure dont think they are picking the highest grade material and that it has to last 10 years 200k miles like I want mine to so I get good trade value.

[Accumulator]

IMO it`s situational. Some interiors have vulnerable materials and some don`t. Some environments and types of use are more severe than others.

E.g., people have had problems with the dye of their clothes transferring to seating surfaces; some steering wheels have degraded while the identical steering wheel, in other situations, didn`t (specifically Audi steering wheels- mine never have problems but when I sold a nearly-new A6 to a friend the steering wheel needed replaced due to flaking/peeling in no time).

I myself hardly ever use Protectants yet I don`t have problems. A few exceptions: I do use Leather Doctor`s Protectant on the S8 now and then, and I`ve used it on the A8 once or twice..nice stuff if you do want to protect your leather; I occasonally use Leather Master`s stuff on the *VERY* compromised front seats of the Tahoe and that`s arrested the degradation just fine (people predicted I`d have to replace the seatcovers ages ago but they`re still doing OK).

I honestly can`t remember the last time I`ve used a Protectant on vinyl though, IME today`s vinyl doesn`t seem to dry out/degrade the way such stuff used to back in the day, but again that`s just in *my* experience and YMMV.

Basically I just do quick wipe-clean work with Meguiar`s IQD or 1Z CP.

Einszett (1-Z) Cockpit Premium...

I really like that stuff! I use it pretty often, but I sorta wonder how much protection it leaves behind.

[Ronkh]

1z
poorobys world natural look/leather stuff
303


depends on mood

[Pats300zx]

1z
poorobys world natural look/leather stuff
303


depends on mood

PB Natural look. Love that scent !!

[Bunky]

I will say 60% of the solution is the actual plastic used by the manufacturer. The remaining 20% is just how your store the car (in sun all the time, car shade) and the last 20% is using a protectant. These are just rough to give idea of importance.

[CDot]

I will say 60% of the solution is the actual plastic used by the manufacturer. The remaining 20% is just how your store the car (in sun all the time, car shade) and the last 20% is using a protectant. These are just rough to give idea of importance.

^^^I like this description. IME, protectants are quite important because of the actual vinyl/plastic used by manufacturers. I can tell the difference in quality in my current car vs. the one I used to have and the materials seem to be more sturdy in the older car. If you plan on having a car for a while, an interior protectant would serve you well. I had a 14-yr old car I traded in last fall and used protectant on the front vinyl, but didn`t do as much on the back. There was a noticeable difference in the feel of the surface--mainly hardened vinyl.

Personally, I have a black interior now and my vehicle is parked outside 24/7 (except for days when I can get a space in the deck at work). I have to put something on the car`s interior as it gets unbelievably hot during the warm months.

[ShawnF350]

1z
poorobys world natural look/leather stuff
303


depends on mood

Does the Leather Stuff need to be diluted or can it be used same as the Natural Look.
Until I get the two or three cars I do with leather seats...the bottle hasn`t been touched yet. would love to try it.

[Bunky]

I have never diluted Leather Stuff on my coated seats. Like most products, you apply using an applicator and then buff off. PB`s recommends buffing off with cotton. The big difference is it has a leather like scent.

[jrock645]

I love the difference 303 makes, just wish it was more durable against where my skin touches. The window sill where I rest my elbow needs to be touched up after a couple weeks. The rest of the car still looks pristine