I'm a new member to this site and want to thank all for the quality information that has been posted. Although I'm a new member, I have been visiting the site for awhile and this info has helped me make my final decision on purchasing a SC 430. Picked up my 2007 SC last Saturday and so far am thrilled with this car.
I have a question I hope you members can help me out with. What is the best method you have found to both clean and protect the beautiful wood accents in this car? Thanks in advance for your response.

JohnD

 

Congratulations on your new ride and welcome to the club!
The easiest way I found to clean the wood from the dust or overspray after leather cleaning is just spraying some Windex on the napkin and go over, works just fine.

 

Congrats on your decision in selecting such a unique automotive experience.

I avoid all chemicals on the wood unless needed. Very diluted detergent in case it is really bad. Mostly it gets dusted off followed by a nice wipe with a very soft cloth.

Keep in mind that it is real wood with Lacquer so a nice wood furniture product is nice to have around. But….be careful as you do not want a layer of anything on the lacquer and have it soak in the sun with the top down as it may create a permanent haze and ruin the finish of the wood. I have seen some luxury cars out there with very apparent haze covering the wood. Not pretty and pricey to replace.

 

Don't get Windex anywhere near the car, especially on the inside.

As for the wood, the detailers over at Autopia seem to all agree, much to my surprise, that the best treatment for interior wood such as is in our cars, is -- are you ready -- Pledge. These are the pros that buy the best microfiber towels and very expensive leather conditioners, etc, and they have found nothing better for the wood than Pledge. I bought a can for myself, and it (1) causes no harm (2) seems to shine the wood up nicely (3) is probably protecting it, as far as I can tell and (4) sure goes a long way when that's all you use it for.

 

Yup, I use Pledge all the time

 

Would that be a specific title under pledge? (ie wood cleaner)

 

I use just regular Lemon Pledge, as seen on TV.

 

Me too I use Pledge. Smells good also.

 

i just use damped cloth, that's all it takes. if you maintain your car well enough you shouldn't need anything more

and imho, wood is probably the last thing i'd worry about. the leather and the vinyl are a lot more pain

 

Congrats on your new purchase. I'm sure you will enjoy it as much as us if not more.

What part of the car is vinyl? Just the area around the audio & temp controls right? Never really thought about that til now.

 

oh sorry if i confused people. all those are leather actually, basically everywhere you see "leather" they are leather i believe.

when i said vinyl i meant the dash area, those "plastic" type stuff. i don't know what exactly they are called

 

A damp cloth will not protect the dash from the harsh effects caused by UV and other rays of the sun, especially in a convertible. The best thing for the dash and the black vinyl pieces on the doors and behind the rear seat is Aerospace 303.

Makes it look good and protects it from deterioration. Highly recommended.

 

OIC, thx for the clarification.

 

If you really, really, really, really want your wood accents to look amazing (and smell amazing as well) I recommend Formby's Almond Lustre. There's nothing quite as good, and the scent will have you drooling.

 

Hmm, have not heard of that, I just may have to check it out.
Thanks for the tip