Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Body/Appearance/Interior => Topic started by: thunderjet302 on October 28, 2009, 09:50:50 PM

Title: Cleaning interior vinyl.
Post by: thunderjet302 on October 28, 2009, 09:50:50 PM
Does anyone know of a good product to clean the vinyl on the door panels and dash? I'd like to give the ones on the interior of my 88 a really good cleaning but I don't know what to use that is harsh enough to remove 22 years of dirt without damaging the vinyl or the grain on it. Simple green sucks as a vinyl cleaner as it didn't do anything when I tried it.
Title: Cleaning interior vinyl.
Post by: jcassity on October 29, 2009, 01:05:17 AM
well well,,
i just fnished a can of what i call amazing stuff.

just spray it on and wipe it off.

i was given a can of it from the vol fire dept but believe it or not,, i cant find it anywhere google can take me.

However,,, can says

"Mountain Shine"
"Final Detail 2"

Whaley Distributing Co Inc
Clarksburg Wv
800 833 5060

my one coating is still holding up after 2 months.  nice shine on everything.

Tires
bumper guards
vinal interiors
engine components bumpers
door jambs
body molding

spray and wipe
or
spray and let dry for a gloss shine


my word on this, it will give you a wake up call.  I need more myself.
Title: Cleaning interior vinyl.
Post by: thunderjet302 on October 29, 2009, 06:39:23 PM
I'm not trying to get a shine on the vinyl as I have a product I use for that I like;). What I'm looking for is something to clean the vinyl and remove the ground in dust/dirt that darkens the vinyl in between some of the grain.
Title: Cleaning interior vinyl.
Post by: Watchdevil on October 30, 2009, 12:34:14 AM
Quote from: thunderjet302;296919
I'm not trying to get a shine on the vinyl as I have a product I use for that I like;). What I'm looking for is something to clean the vinyl and remove the ground in dust/dirt that darkens the vinyl in between some of the grain.


First try plain Go-Jo without the pumice and an interior brush! If you have a really stubborn spot use some Go-Jo with pumice... If it will come off my hands it will come out the grain in the vinyl!
Title: Cleaning interior vinyl.
Post by: thunderjet302 on October 30, 2009, 10:13:26 AM
I Go-Jo stronger than Simple Green? I used Simple Green and it didn't make much of a difference.
Title: Cleaning interior vinyl.
Post by: 88CougarGT on October 30, 2009, 10:53:54 AM
I use simple green and a large toothbrush looking thing.  I wet it up and work it in.  Slow, but it works.  Works particularly well on the vinyl by the side windows is.  Maybe I will try go-jo next time.
Title: Cleaning interior vinyl.
Post by: ZondaC12 on October 30, 2009, 12:08:50 PM
Ive made two jumps in the past few months as I heard of these things. I used to use Simple Green for everything. Thought that was pretty vicious. Then tried Purple Power. Blew simple green away, stuff is NASTY.
 
Now I use "Super Clean" Its $10 a gallon at Advance Auto, about $7 at walmart. Once again, even better than Purple Power. Totally biodegradable but its just really intense.
 
The Super Clean is also great for wheels. Im scared, I rinse it off ***quick*** because I literally sprayed it on my front wheels and watched the grime and brake dust run off almost instantly. I guess that's the trade-off, not gonna work without being a really strong chemical. My wheels are fine, though, and so is the vinyl on my front seat where it had this huge scuff. I just scrubbed it well, then once it was clean got a wet rag and made sure it was fully removed. Just dont let it sit too long!
Title: Cleaning interior vinyl.
Post by: thunderjet302 on October 30, 2009, 02:08:16 PM
I might try the Purple Power first before going to the nuclear option with Super Clean;). I don't want to dissolve my door panels.
Title: Cleaning interior vinyl.
Post by: jcassity on October 31, 2009, 11:47:29 PM
Quote from: ZondaC12;296993
Ive made two jumps in the past few months as I heard of these things. I used to use Simple Green for everything. Thought that was pretty vicious. Then tried Purple Power. Blew simple green away, stuff is NASTY.
 
Now I use "Super Clean" Its $10 a gallon at Advance Auto, about $7 at walmart. Once again, even better than Purple Power. Totally biodegradable but its just really intense.
 
The Super Clean is also great for wheels. Im scared, I rinse it off ***quick*** because I literally sprayed it on my front wheels and watched the grime and brake dust run off almost instantly. I guess that's the trade-off, not gonna work without being a really strong chemical. My wheels are fine, though, and so is the vinyl on my front seat where it had this huge scuff. I just scrubbed it well, then once it was clean got a wet rag and made sure it was fully removed. Just dont let it sit too long!


Ill have to try super clean out in my parts washer.
Title: Cleaning interior vinyl.
Post by: EricCoolCats on November 01, 2009, 08:25:19 AM
I used to use Simple Green (straight, not cut) and a bristle brush. It worked well enough. However, with an off-white interior, the dirt stayed in the grain and would just not come out. What I discovered was that a damp sponge picked up most of the remaining dirt. The end result was a fairly glistening interior.

There is a much more elegant solution nowadays that works much better and doesn't require any cleaners or chemicals. In fact, all that's needed is water.

Try a magic eraser. It works miracles. I'd suggest the store brand as the real Magic Erasers are quite expensive. You'll use a lot of them, and they sort of disintegrate as you use them, but nothing else comes close to the way they clean, at least in my experience. Take it from someone that has to clean an interior that is much lighter in color than anything that came stock in these cars.
Title: Cleaning interior vinyl.
Post by: Davemutt on November 03, 2009, 06:05:31 PM
I've used Magic Eraser on glass with good results.

However, I've read on other forums that Magic Eraser contains abrasives.  Some guys were cleaning coated leather with it and having problems so be careful.