Dash Cleaner?

Wings · 11-20-2005, 09:52 PM

Can you recommend a good cleaner/conditioner for the interior? Something to dust and wipe the dash etc down with?
I know Armor All dries the vinyl up and can cause cracks in the dash.
So, what's your favorite product? And where can I find it?
TIA.
Anxiously waiting for my new Titan.

JHOOTITAN · 11-20-2005, 10:13 PM

I don't use any type of cleaner, I just use one of the blue "microfiber" cloths. They work great, and you know your not going to do any damage with a dry cloth.

2Titans · 11-20-2005, 10:23 PM

Ditto!!! I use a soft dry cloth to wipe everything down. Then go over it with a vacuum with brush attachment. keeps it looking like new!

Clint · 11-21-2005, 08:47 AM

I use a damp terry towel because dry dust is abrasive especially when wiping the lens on the dash cluster.

Clint

Vyrus · 11-21-2005, 08:51 AM

True, but using a damn cloth will also cause your plastic to dry out and crack with time. I use a dry microfiber every month or so, and Vinylex once a year. It's the least-shining protectant (UV-40) I can find.
-Cyrus

Elbo · 11-21-2005, 09:00 AM

Steel Wool some Comet and Windex should do the trick...

Of Course Don't try that at Home, I am kidding in case you just fell off the turnip truck.

1bigtexastitan · 11-21-2005, 09:05 AM

I use Meguiar's Quik Mist & Wipe Interior Detailer. I use it with a 100% terry cloth towel. Does not leave the dash "greasy" like armour all. (I can't stand that greasy look and feel). Plus when if and when spray hits the front windshield, it will not leave a greasy film on it.
Quote on the back of the bottle:

"The safe, high lubricity formula lifts off dust, ashes, dirt, grime, spills and fingerprints without build-up. And, unlike traditional protectants that leave an artificial greasy feel, Quik Detailer leaves your interior surfaces looking natrual and revitalized."

titanQ · 11-21-2005, 09:05 AM

Damp microfiber cloth here.......Armor-All or anything like it is so 90's.

decypher44 · 11-21-2005, 09:55 AM

For most days, I use the blue microfiber (as do a few above me

). But, every once in a while, I use Black Magic wipes. Looks nice and keeps a lot of stuff from settling on the dash.

burntfox · 11-21-2005, 10:01 AM

no armorall ... eek/woops... have to get me some oh that Meguiar's Schtuff

Quote:

Originally Posted by titanQ

Damp microfiber cloth here.......Armor-All or anything like it is so 90's.

oh yeah man, like, its dead like disco, donchaknow.

making me feel my age

Wings · 11-21-2005, 10:06 AM

Using a dry micro-fiber cloth is OK most of the time, but every once in a while I really need to get SOMETHING moist to pull the stubborn dust that settles into the vinyl. I guess if the vinyl was perfectly smooth and without any texture, the dry cloth might work all the time. Maybe it's because we have such low humidity here in Colorado, but a dry cloth alone just isn't enough. I did that in my Pathfinder, and even right after wiping it down it still looked dirty. Maybe it's because the interior was black...the Titan will have the steel grey interior so maybe it'll just show less dust.

The stuff they use in one of the local car washes is called something like Auto Bright, don't really know what that might do to the viyl over an extended period. I only used the car wash occasionally, and it didn't appear to damage the vinyl.

Have any of you guys tried the 303 Vinyl protectant? It came highly recommended on the other site. I like the idea of the UV protection since the sun at this altitude (6000' +) is very intense.

**Helinut1970** · 11-21-2005, 10:07 AM

Nothing beats a Nice coating of dust as a protectant. Elephants use it in Africa as well as most animals. The thicker the better!!! I get to use all the extra time with the wife and kids.

Wings · 11-21-2005, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helinut1970

Nothing beats a Nice coating of dust as a protectant. Elephants use it in Africa as well as most animals. The thicker the better!!! I get to use all the extra time with the wife and kids.

I'll consider that next time I'm driving it around in Africa. Along with the above mentioned steel wool treatment of course.

jessefrank · 11-21-2005, 04:16 PM

I like Lexol products. I've had nothing but great results with their leather products. IMO they make the best leather care products out there. Althought my titan doesn't have leather, I used the Vinylex on my dash and other plastics this last cleaning. So far it seems to work well with the nissan plastics in the titan. I've used it on my Maxima and other vehicles before with good results. If I can remember to get a micro fiber cloth the next time I'm at the auto store I'll use it every once and a while to keep the plastic looking clean and new with out the protectant application. Where I'm at I think pepboy's is the only store that carries the Vinylex. I ran out and tried some other brands since I didn't feel like making the trip to pepboys. Up till now I've used Meguiars #40
Vinyl & Rubber Cleaner/Conditioner or Mothers Rubber/Vinyl Protectant on my titan. Both work well, but I think the Meguiars or the lexol left the least amount of greasy build-up.
Lexol link: http://www.lexol.com/newauto.html
Meguiars link: http://www.autogeek.net/meg40vinrubc.html
Mother's link: http://www.autogeek.net/mo5324.html

**HudsonValleyTitan** · 11-21-2005, 04:27 PM

First off....although I'm not a fan of Armour-All, the old 80s formula that supposedly dried out vinyl is long a thing of the past. I use the small California duster on the interior (you can get a large for the paint, and a small one for the interior. They work quite well. If I have to actually clean something off the vinyl, a terrycloth towel with plain old water works well....which also won't dry out vinyl...it's water!