Hopefully this won't get moved to another forum, because I know many of you guys/gals in here are nuts about their car and probably use some good products. So, what do you use on the interior of your car for cleaning...both the dash area and the leather? I got in the mood tonight to do a good cleaning on my car (trying to compensate for my GPS not working, I guess, grrrrrrrrrr) and when I got to the interior didn't know if I wanted to use the same products I did before. Any suggestions???? Thanks....

 

I like using the Optimum line of products because they work really well, do not contain VOCs, and are easy to use.

For the interior, I use Optimum Protectant Plus (OPP). OPP is both a very mild cleaner and conditioner/protectant against UV. OPP also leaves a finish that is natural looking without a high gloss. I use OPP for my dashboard, vinyl, and leather parts of my interior. You just spray on OPP with a spray bottle and wipe off with a microfiber. This works especially well with perforated seats so you don't get a cream/lotion type of product stuck in the holes.

For the wood, nav screen, and instrument cluster, I use Optimum No Rinse (ONR) that is diluted to Quick Detailer concentrations. I spray on the ONR and wipe off with a microfiber.

I used to use Meguires Interior Quick Detailer...but this product doesn't offer much if any protection against UV.

 

personally i have been using lexol stuff and i like them a lot

i am not a fan of armor all though

 

Lexol is the brand name? For both the leather and the dash?

 

I'll check for the "OPP" brand as well when I hit the store today.

 

Yes...used to use it on my horse saddles. It was known as the top leather cleaner and conditioner at the time and probably still is.

Here you go...
http://www.lexol.com/

 

For the leather I use the Lexus cleaner and conditioner pair. They work very well and don't have a strong odor. They smell most like new leather. This is the stuff that the GST AutoLeather, the leather supplier provides to Lexus for this purpose and it is my hands down favorite.

For the dash and other vinyl, I use Meguiar's Quick Interior Detailer. It leaves no gloss or streaks and provides UV protection. It is not oily nor does it have any smell.

 

You won't find Optimum products in your local stores. Optimum is a boutique product found through the internet. The owner/founder of Optimum has this site......http://www.optimumcarcare.com/products.html

You can also search for Optimum products on this car detailing website....http://autopia.org/forum/detailing-product-discussion

Here is a forum dedicated to Optimum.... http://optimumforums.org/index.php?&CODE=01

I'll post up some pics of my year old LS460. After using Optimum products, I always get compliments that my car looks better than new.

 

Excellent....would like to see pics of the interior. Thanks for the great info. I really want to keep my LS460 looking great as I might hang on to this baby for awhile. Thanks agains....

 

There are many good products out there (and some so-so ones). Nonetheless, personally, for my car:

Interior vinyl: Meguiar's #40 (cleaner and protectant, my old favorite) or 303 Aerospace Protectant (protectant only). Both have UV protectants and give a dull shine to the plastics and vinyl. 303 is a bit more matte (more OEM like finish) and I've been liking it more than Meguiar's #40. 303 lasts about 30-50% longer as well. It was with hesitance to switch over to 303, but there too many positive reviews on it that I had to try, and I'm happy that I did. I use it on all my weatherstripping seals around the doors, hood, trunk, side mirror weatherstripping and also for my engine bay plastics--it works and looks great (repels dirt as well). A great use is for the wiper blades as well (protects the painted wiper blade's paint). I'm still mixed on #40 or 303 for my tires.

http://www.meguiars.com/?pro-vinyl-r...er-Conditioner

http://www.303products.com/tech/inde...Product_ID=428

Leather: Lexus cleaner and conditioner pair. Can't go wrong with the formulation as it's made specifically for your car's leather. I've tried Lexol, Eagle, and Meguiar's leather conditioner--and they've been so-so in my experience (but that was about 4 years ago before I switched over to the Lexus cleaner and conditioner). Even then the Lexus conditioner, although in my opinion is best among those listed above for new leather, for older, less well-kept leather, you will need more help. Leatherique (Rejuvenator Oil (heavy duty conditioning) or Pristine Clean (mostly cleaning, and some conditioning) is probably the way to go for that--something I'll try using for my own leather once it warms up more. I can't vouch for Leatherique yet, but it seems very promising based on other user's reviews.

http://www.sewellpartsonline.com/par...l.asp?id=88876
http://www.leatherique.com/index.htm (yes, antiquidated website, but the product is very well reviewed on www.autopia.org -- a detailing forum)

 

If you want an all-around product for both leather and dash, and readily available OTC, 303 Aerospace Protectant is a great product. Lexol can also be found OTC, but separate products.

 

Here are a few interior pics I took today. Again, I use Optimum Protectant Plus (OPP) to clean and protect my leather, vinyl, and dashboard against UV damage. I like OPP because the natural look it gives the interior.

 

Very nice indeed! Thanks for the pics!