Interior cleaner

boxersatheart

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I have finally got my fathers Volare out to my house and in the garage. Need some from you folks on what to use to CLEAN the vinyl interior with. Car sat in a closed up garage for 10 years! Car is a really nice little 2dr coupe 318 auto, PS/PB and air..Thats it! Even has the OE AM radio!!! Interior has these weird Spots all over it.... What should I hit this with???
 

Mopar_Gods

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I would use warm water and a little soap. Dry it off don't let it sit or you will have more spots. Then I would hit it with Armor All Cleaner Wipes and then the Armor All Protection Wipes. I do my vinyl seats this way and use nothing else. If the spots are not baked in you should have good results.

There is always lots of knowledge on this site. Pictures are always welcomed for better feed back with issues. Good Luck.

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kkritsilas

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Sorry to be in complete disagreement with Mopar_Gods, but Armor-All should never be used in a car that you intend to keep, or just even like in any way. Armor-All, long term will destroy the vinyl's ability to flex, and eventually cause it to crack. This applies to upholstery, dash's or anything that you put it on.

Mother's, Meguiar's, and my favourite, Vinlyex by a company called Lexol, will all work well. Being in the US, you may want to look at the web site of Flashwax.com, and specifically at their Bullseye Vinyl and Leather cleaner. I would use it, but forgot to order it last time that I ordered from them, and it's really complex to try to get their products into Canada (they don't ship to Canada, so I need a drop ship location, and the person who allowed me to to that last time isn't around). I have used thier Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner, and it is a really good product, as is their Brown Royal Wheel Cleaner, so I will go out on a limb here and say that their Bullseye will be great as well. Flashwax products come in a concentrate from (aside from their ready to use products), and you cut them according to instructions. The Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner, and the Brown Royal are typically cut 5:1-10:1 (I used them at 10:1). Makes their stuff last a long time (at 128 oz/gallon, you can mix up roughly 40 32 oz. solutions).

The process Mopar_Gods is pretty well ideal, just substitute Vinylex or diluted Bullseye cleaner for the Armor-All and you should be fine. You can get 32 oz. spray bottles at the local Dollar Store (Dollar Tree, Dollar General) for about $1 ea.

In the absence of that, I use Vinylex, which works really well, getting everything that I can see in terms of dirt and stains off/out of the vinyl. It doesn't do the dust magnet thing that Armor-All does, and it doesn't leave that very sick looking slick finish that Armour All does, either. Just cleans the vinyl, and adds a little bit of protection behind.

Kostas

P.S. Don't use Vinylex on the exterior. It doesn't stand up to rain. You can use Meguiar's Mirror Glaze #40 for the exterior (and interior, if you really want to).
 
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Mopar_Gods

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Hmm Just to clarify the original posting and there after. I have used that same technique for over 20 years now and none of my vehicles have ever had cracking fading or flexing issues of any kind. Just thought I would say it. Considering 20 years is a long time with nothing but good results on my end. We all have are own ways of doing things and we all will have opinions on what is best to use. Just had to share. Thank You.
 

kkritsilas

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For anybody interested, see this article:

http://store.carcareonline.com/vinylcare.aspx

There is some description as to why you don't use Armor-All. While the article doesn't call out Armor-All specifically (probably due to possible lawsuits). over the counter silicone oil based products only points to a few products, Armor-All being one of them, and is easily the most widely available.

A video about this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEkupIubAnw

Whiie he is placing the blame properly on Armor-All, his reasoning is faulty.

From my own experience, on a 1988 Chevrolet Beretta, and from what I have read in many other places, the problem is with the way Armor-All is designed to work. Armor-All's basic ingredient is silicone oil, which gives that new car vinyl look by attracting the "plasticizers" (plasticizers are chemical compounds that help keep vinyl flexible, and part of what makes vinyl different from hard plastics) that are part of the chemical structure of vinyl, to the surface of the vinyl, as they would be in a new car. Problem is, those plasticizers are broken down by UV, which is why they out-gas out in the first place. Long term, over a period of say, 10-12 years, enough of the plasticizers have come out of the vinyl's internal structure that the vinyl is no longer flexible. Now, when the car gets exposed to intense sunlight, and would normally cause the vinyl to expand, the vinyl, having its plasticizers depleted, can't. But due to the heat, it must. This gets resolved by the vinyl cracking. There is some debate as to whether the silicone oil causes the plasticizers to migrate to the surface and break down, or if the Armor-all itself is absorbed into the vinyl and is destroying the plasticizers below the vinyl surface. I personally think that the Armor-All is attracting the plasticizers to the surface, where the UV is breaking the plasticizers down. The same electrostatic attraction that brings up the plasticizers is also what make Armour-All the most amazing dust magnet, attracting any dust particles within a few feet.

Have you ever noticed a brownish residue in the crevices,nooks,and crannies in a vehicle that has been Armor-Alled over a period of years? That is UV destroyed plasticizer residue mixed with the Armor-All silicone oil. Look for it on any Armor-All treated car.

Some of this may not apply to all vinyls, as vinyls will change over time, and even from vendor to vendor if multiple vendors are supplying vinyl parts for same car within a model year. By my description above, you can also easily see that this is also related to sun exposure, temperature range, and how often Armor-All is applied.

If you think any of this is made up by me, do a web search on "armor-all damage" and look at a few of the links. This isn't just a single time, or single person, occurence. There are a lot of good vinyl care products out there, aside from the ones that I have mentioned. I just know that Armor-All isn't one of them.

Kostas
 
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Mopar_Gods

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I want to make sure these products are safe on the various surfaces of my car – how can I find out for sure?

While our products are safe for most of your car's surfaces, it's smart to be sure before you begin using a product. Visit the individual product pages in our Product Catalog for usage instructions.

Will Armor All® Car Wash Concentrate affect the wax on my car?

No. Armor All® Car Wash Concentrate has been thoroughly tested and has been found to be safe for all automotive finishes, including clear coats. This product will add a great shine without stripping the wax on your car.

Can I use Armor All® Car Wash Concentrate on all types of paint including clear coat?

Armor All® Car Wash Concentrate is safe on all types of automotive paints and clear coats. Just rinse your car mix concentrate with water, wash and dry for a great spot-free, streak-free shine.

Does Armor All® Car Wash Concentrate contain wax, silicone, ammonia or petroleum distillates?

Armor All® Car Wash Concentrate does not contain any of these ingredients.

Can I use Armor All® Car Wash Concentrate in a pressure or power washer?

We recommend using Armor All® Car Wash Concentrate by pouring the wash concentrate into a bucket and mixing with water (using 1 oz. per gallon). After diluting the product, we suggest using a sponge, terry cloth or mitt to wash your car. If you would like to use a pressure or power washer, we suggest that you follow the manufacturer's instructions, as we cannot provide guidelines for using these tools.

Can I use Armor All® Car Wash Concentrate on vinyl, including convertible tops?

Armor All® Car Wash Concentrate is ideal for vinyl. For tough stains on convertible tops, try Armor All® Multi-Purpose Auto Cleaner or Armor All® Cleaning Wipes for a quick and easy way to clean your car's fabric surfaces. You can also use Armor All® Original Protectant to clean, protect and shine your vinyl top.

Can I use Armor All® Car Wash Concentrate in the direct sun?

For best results, we do not recommend using Armor All® Car Wash Concentrate in direct sun or if the surface of the vehicle is hot. This product is ideally used on a cool car, preferably in the shade.

Can Armor All® Car Wash Concentrate be used on household surfaces including exterior windows and outdoor furniture?

Armor All® Car Wash Concentrate is most known for its ability to quickly and easily clean your car. This product contains a detergent that is safe on plastic and glass surfaces. If you use the product on household surfaces, including exterior windows and plastic or vinyl outdoor furniture, make sure you test first in an inconspicuous area.

What is the shelf life of Armor All® Car Wash Concentrate?

The shelf life of Armor All® Car Wash Concentrate is generally one to two years.

Can I use Armor All® Car Wash Concentrate if it freezes over the winter?

Sure. Just allow the product to come to room temperature and shake well before using.

Can I use Armor All® Protectants on paint?

Armor All® Protectant is not designed for use on paint. Although the product will not harm your car's paint finish, it may leave a dull or streaky appearance. For best results on paint, try using Armor All® Car Wash Concentrate.

Can I use Armor All® Protectants on vinyl; including convertible tops, covers and seats?

Armor All® Protectants are ideal for vinyl, and can help to prevent discoloration and fading on these surfaces. However, these products are not recommended for canvas or other fabric. For these surfaces, tryArmor All® Multi-Purpose Auto Cleaner or Armor All® Cleaning Wipes for a quick and easy way to clean your car's fabric surfaces.

Can I use Armor All® Protectant on rubber?

Yes. Armor All® Protectant products are specially designed to protect, clean and shine rubber surfaces. Using Armor All® Protectant regularly is an easy way to help protect your rubber surfaces from cracking, UV damage, fading or discoloration.

Can I use Armor All® Auto Glass Cleaner on all types of tinted windows?

Armor All® Auto Glass Cleaner has been specially formulated for use on factory-tinted windows. We do not recommend using this product on other types of tinted windows, such as those with plastic tint films.

Can I use Armor All® Cleaner products on my car paint?

Armor All® Multi-Purpose Cleaner is not designed for use on paint. Although the product will not harm your car's paint finish, it may leave a dull or streaky appearance. For best results on paint, try using Armor All® Car Wash Concentrate.

My Opinion. We should always keep in mind. None of these findings have been Scientific proven any where in the world regardless to what ever a person or persons may have Read Seen or Assumed. Because in all reality lets face it all Vendors say there products are the best and they are protected by Copy Right Laws that enforce it and there Labels. That being said one also has to keep in mind which product does he or she as a person wants or chooses to use. Most labels on products state specifically to use on a small test area if not sure. Not only does this protect the Consumer but also protects a Business and so on from Liability. So the choice is always yours to make. Know one Else's. Regardless if all parties disagree to which is really the Best and which product is really Bad. I have used all the other products also on the Market. As a Consumer I stand behind Armor All and all of there products. Like I stated previously 20 years and nothing but good Results. Great Product in my Book. Is it the Best?. Who knows Right. But it is what I choose to use in all my Vehicles. Regardless if it is a Classic Car I am working on a Truck or a Boat. In my eyes Armor All ranks one of the best products on the market today.
 
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Mopar_Gods

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Same here. I have used it for many years. But have also heard people say hey that stuff is to strong. Funny I have never had any issues with it either. Just my two cents. We all have them.
 

72Dodge

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The only problem with Simple Green is that it will strip paints like on the dashboard around the gauges on an a-body immediately. I took some of the paint off the nicest gauge bezel I've ever seen on my '72 by just barely touching it. So, be careful with it, the whole "test on an inconspicuous area first" is absolutely true! But otherwise, I've found it to be a great product.

I don't know whether the ArmorAll damage thing is true or urban legend, but I heard that first about 20 years ago and have mostly avoided it since, just to be safe. I also think twice before flashing my headlights to cars with theirs off at night too, for the same reason lol
 

Mopar_Gods

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In regards to the posting. Kinda off the subject but very true in all reality. My heart Doctor always tries to tell me what I should eat and what I shouldn't eat. The Conclusion to that is even though I am well aware of the risk of a heart attack I eat what ever I want too. That being said everything is a risk in everything that we do we all take chances and we all do what we all feel is best to do even if the results or good or bad it is still our choice. If I want gravy and biscuits and sausage everyday for breakfast then that is what I choose Lol.
 

LSM360

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I have never had Simple Green remove paint! It's about the mildest cleaner out there. Was the paint faded and chalky?

You can dilute Simple Green. I usually dilute it 1 part water 3 parts SG. But I have used it full strength too with no problems.

Another product I use is "7th Generation" multi surface cleaner. I use in the house and in the cars.
 

72Dodge

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Nope, it was perfect paint, factory original, mint. I'm talking about the detail silver edge on a '72 Dart/Duster plastic gauge cluster. Took it off immediately.

What a product will take off just depends on the exact specific paint/material. Of course it wouldn't harm factory exterior paint or even most interior paints for that matter. But always always always test on an inconspicuous area as the directions say, as I found out the hard way!
 

jasperjacko

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I like the idea of starting with a mild cleaner, diluted if possible when dealing with old interiors. The spots are probably mold or mildew from the car being closed up. Don't use abrasives, and take your time.
 

Blackbirdsrt78

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I like the idea of starting with a mild cleaner, diluted if possible when dealing with old interiors. The spots are probably mold or mildew from the car being closed up. Don't use abrasives, and take your time.

That's really good advice.:thumbsup:..and exactly what I would recommend...always start with the least aggressive method first. I would also note that if you ever decide to disassemble the interior and refinish it take extreme care as they are very fragile. :glasses9:

also I have never had problems with Armor All.. all though I always keep my cars under a roof and not in the sun when ever possible and use a windshield UV reflector when it does. :icon_dwarf:
 
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boxersatheart

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THIS IS GREAT! Thanks so much for all the ideas! I am off today and have a long weekend coming up and I am going to get on this like crazy! This is a really nice vehicle and has a rather significant sentimental attachment (and I have had three, this is my fourth "F" car). Will post good before and after pictures! Also see my new post as I am searching for another "F" body I sold in 1996! Thanks again for all the help!
 

Miradaman

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Do not use Armour All Protestant on anything but rubber products. I have worked in 3 detail shops, and AA Protestant will crack vinyl, and plastic. I detailed my Dad's Aerostar once, and used it to shine the whole interior, including the vents. Less than 3 months later, all the louvers fell out of the vents. It cracked my pristine dash in 6 months. Really crappy stuff.
 

jasperjacko

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"Do not use Armour All Protestant" Should they use the catholic formula?lol
 

volareandgtcat

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I've also had trouble with AA .. had to get a dash cap for my other car for all the cracks .. so for the Volare I got some 303 protectant ... yup .. from a pristine dash cap to one crack but minor .. it's just that it's right in the line of sight ..lol ..... anyways for cleaning I've always used a weak solution of Murphys Oil soap.
 

kkritsilas

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The 303 Aerospace Cleaner and Protectant are very good products. Leave a more realistic finish behind than the AA super glossy of the original formula (I know they have a matte finish version now).

Simple Green should be diluted 3:1 if you are going to use it as an interior cleaner, according to a detailing buddy. Still going to need a protectant afterwards.
 
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