Interior Dressing- The great debate?

Mush-Mouth said:
Looks like the Auto Geek product writers ran out of real content and did a copy and paste by changing the fancy wordings around. That what happens when all your products are the same.
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LOL Mush Mouth. Your not the first person to pick up on Autogeeks marketing crock of shitt! There doing something right, people keep buying there relabled crap.
 
Barry Theal said:
LOL Mush Mouth. Your not the first person to pick up on Autogeeks marketing crock of shitt! There doing something right, people keep buying there relabled crap.
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Max is a marketing genius. Got to hand it to the man.
 
C. Charles Hahn said:
:werd: And he knows how to find and employ people who are great at keeping the marketing machine running.
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Yep, we can see through all the bs, but his market is the noob. They will spend a grand or two without blinking.
 
I've always dressed my interiors. Nothing greasy like Armor All though...not my style. I use a water based dressing through my Tornador. I feel it adds a bit of protection, as well as helps smooth out the finish and make everything look uniform.



To me, an interior just doesn't look right until it's been dressed. I really like that sheen look. I can definitely relate to those who choose not to...I can appreciate the view point of keeping the interior looking factory fresh. You don't buy a new car with a dressed interior, ha.



I'm new here BTW...first post :werd:
 
Once or twice a year I'll use M40 on my S2K dashboard, but all other times I use 1Z Cockpit Premium. I use Cockpit Premium exclusively on the dashboard of the CR-V: because of what it's made of (whatever it is) M40 would be inappropriate; it needs something that leaves behind nothing whatsoever (or at least close to nothing).
 
[ XXXXX XXXXX XXXXXXX is an "SPF-40" level protectant that offers 100% prevention of UV induced slow fade with regular use. For best protection from UV and other damaging elements, apply XXXXX XXXXXXX every 3-5 weeks. The term "SPF-40" applies to UV protection for your skin. Usage of the "SPF" rating with this product does not suggest the product is for skin protection, but rather is used to denote a common understanding of UV protection level. Total Eclipse contains approximately 10% solids by volume, which provides enough UV protection to eliminate slow fade caused by prolonged exposure to the sun's ultra violet (UV) radiation.]



This (and most of the other quotes in DF’s post) should get a marketing award for pseudo – science {SPF-40 with 10% solids by volume}really :O



Ultra violet protection is a sacrificial and therefore a renewable protection; this is due to the UV protection layer being degraded by exposure to the elements (sun, sand, road or sea salt, and etc) so it is imperative that you renew it and it needs to be re-applied on a regular 45 to 60 day basis (dependent upon location climatic condition)



[The natural solution when fighting heat and ultraviolet exposure. Your car's windows focus heat and ultraviolet energy on the dash, steering wheel and seats. Over time, interior vinyl surfaces can discolor, fade and crack. Pinnacle Vinyl & Rubber Protectant beautifies and protects your car's dash, vinyl seats and door facings against premature aging.]



Modern cars are being designed with inherent protection features; oordinary car window glass filters out about 95% of the ultra violet (UV) radiation, the cause of Photo degradation (fading) and approximately 35% of infrared radiation (IR) infra red (heat) radiation, top-down convertible’s upholstery on the other hand do require UV protection



That's why its important to educate not only neophyte detailer's, but customers and potential customers alike
 
My 2 cents - I use 1ZCP for all plastics. Primarily for the scent and the fact it leaves no streaks on the plastic of the speedometer etc. Other than that I use OPC at 10:1 for interior cleaning and when I am done wipe it all down with some DI water on a damp MF towel. I leave the UV protection to the glass. I dont dress interiors at all. To me its just hype.



However, if a customer asks for a glossy dressing I will apply it...I will also inform them I would be more than happy to remove it later when it becomes dry and caked on, and they can pay me to do that as well. Usually the quizzical look on their face allows me to explain why slick glossy dressings are detrimental on their interior. This philosophy either nets me a new regular customer who understands I am doing this in their best interest, or I never hear from them again and I assume they think I am an arrogant ***. Its a toss up.
 
Justin Murphy said:
Oh I dressed interiors when I first started. Then I realized I just wasted an hour on something the customer didn't even want.



Ask first......do second.
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This. It takes a long time to apply dressing to everything, then one needs to come back and make sure it dried evenly, etc.



I asked myself if I was really seeing any benefit to it, and I realized that there was none whatsoever. Now, on some cars (I'm thinking older BMWs, E38/39/46 etc.) the interior has a "dry" look due to the materials they used, and some dressing does make it look a bit richer, but I never saw any sort of UV protection or whatever. Plus, it causes the interior glass to get hazy after a few weeks.



My ten year old Lincoln sits outside 24/7, the sun beats down on it in the summer, it gets damn cold in the winter, and the dash and door panels still look like new (well, as new as a ten year old car's interior can look). Never used interior dressing, just a wipe down every once in a while.
 
Yeah. Autogeek sucked me in and dropped me like a turd when they got big. LOL!



They are great at what they do though. Sell products.
 
Accumulator said:
Gee, lots of apparent animosity towards AutoGeek these days :eek:
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No animosity here, just stating some facts. As a matter of fact, I just placed an order with AG on Tuesday. Tried to find it at DD, but they didn't carry it.
 
Accumulator said:
Gee, lots of apparent animosity towards AutoGeek these days :eek:
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i use to shop at AG (for many years before most) but there were a few times where their service wasn't up to par like i use to get, and since then i really don't care to give them support and my hard earned money anymore...
 
Barry Theal said:
What are your thoughts? Do you do it? Do you like it? Why do you do it? Whats your favorite brand? Tell me what drives you to dress an interior? This is all out of curiousity? Me personally I never ever dress an interior. I hate dressing. Why do others do this?
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I will try to answer the original points first without getting caught up in the product/marketing hype (true or not) discussion.



I do it. I like it. The reasons are pretty much the same as hacadacalopolis listed. However, I make a distinction between dressings and cleaners/'preservatives'/'conditioners' drawing on Accumulator's 'leaving behind stuff' property.



I like products of the latter category, which leave nothing or very little behind, be it sheen or tactile texture. That is why I use 1ZCP and 303AP. They give me either complete matt-ness (1Z) or sublime sheen (303) depeding on my prefference at the time. Very OEM look in both cases.



In short for me: APCing + (1ZCP or 303AP) = perfect balance of cleaning and OEM tightness. In the harsh GR sun, in a polluted city like Athens, on a convertible and after 42K miles / 3 years (21 months of this driven daily with the top down) my plastics feel to the eye and to the touch on a pretty good condition. For me that is good enough testament this system/products work. I am thinking of trying Leatherique's prestine clean next time on parts if my interior plastics for a test.



On the other hand, I wouldn't use anything oilly/siliconely (CG new look trim gel comes to mind from the products I 've tried), for all the known reasons (cracking, fading, dust attraction).



Coming to the hype part. It is probably true and part of the marketing process in one degree or another, for both manufacturers and distributors alike I think. That is why 'free speech', 'down to earth' communities like ours exist to put to the test claims and prove/disprove them in one degree or another.



TOGWT said:
Modern cars are being designed with inherent protection features; oordinary car window glass filters out about 95% of the ultra violet (UV) radiation, the cause of Photo degradation (fading) and approximately 35% of infrared radiation (IR) infra red (heat) radiation, top-down convertible’s upholstery on the other hand do require UV protection
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I have a leather upholstery and normal 'carpetry' on the rest of the interior. What would you suggest for UV protection, if possible? If you have covered it in one of your many encyclopedic articles, unfortunately I cannot recall where.
 
Personally Barry, I believe most interior dressings on the market are unnecessary "Armor all for example", capable of being used in a deep fryer. It is better just to leave the interior with it's intended appearance without trying to increase it's reflective output. The exception is leather seats "Genuine" that should be treated with care to avoid u.v damage, wear and tear, etc etc etc.. Or darker colored dashes that see a lot of sun. I'm guilty of dressing interiors in the past though, with bacon grease as you call it, Dealer demand... Others do it because they may have discolored trim and its a quick fix in the moment.
 
It's like the hype about tire protection. I have yet to see in my 6 years of detailing a dry rotted tire. Heck most wear out before any damage is ever done.......if there would even be damage. I have a set of 4 year old tires in storage that look brand new.
 
I know this is off subject for thread,but, Does anyone want my tufshine tire clearcoat 6oz with about 7$ shipping. I used several times and hate it. Dont want it to go to waste, still about 5.5 oz left? PM please
 
Accumulator said:
Gee, lots of apparent animosity towards AutoGeek these days :eek:
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You would to if you felt used and abused. Especially with the beating I took with no defense.

You live and learn.
 
Getting back on topic...



I like using Optimum Protectant Plus, low gloss, gives the interior a rich appearance. Smells good too. I also use Meguiars Interior Quick Detailer, makes the interior look new without adding any gloss. Great for customers who don't like to change the appearance of their interior but want something on it. I don't like anything that is overly glossy or shiny, makes the interior look cheap.
 
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