Super Clean on the interior?

[Tieguy77]

In looking for a good APC that was readily available, I ran across several videos that recommended Super Clean....the purple stuff available at the local auto parts store. Some vids had the dilution at 5:1 others less others more. I opted for 10:1 for a nasty steering wheel and was fairly impressed with the results with a little soft brush agitation. What I did not expect was the effect on the buttons. It seems to have "bleached" them out for lack of a more appropriate term. They were black and shiny, perhaps from years of skin oils etc...but I liked the black and shiny better than the mottled look. Any suggestions? For the time being, I just coated everything with 303.

Many thanks!

68655

[FUNX650]

Super Clean...
Some vids had the dilution at 5:1
others less others more.

I opted for 10:1 for a nasty steering wheel
and was fairly impressed with the results
with a little soft brush agitation.

What I did not expect was the effect on the buttons.
It seems to have "bleached" them out for lack of a
more appropriate term. They were black and shiny,
perhaps from years of skin oils etc...but I liked the
black and shiny better than the mottled look.

This is a highly alkaline product, with a
pH of ~13.8 (pH 14 is the top end of the
pH scale)!

Diluting it @ 1:10 only reduces the pH level
to ~12.8—still a rather strong solution for
many interior components, IMO.



For the time being, I just coated everything
with 303. Any suggestions?

Hopefully the 303 AP will help in reducing
the mottling on those buttons. Here are
several more products that may also help:

Auto Geek- Your Car Wax SuperStore, Car Wax, Auto Detailing Supplies , Car Accessories, Car Buffers Store, We Are Car Care (https://www.autogeek.net/searchresults.html?catalog=autogeek&query=Interior+Plastic+restoration+&submit=Go&.autodone=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.autogeek.net%2Fmeguiar s.html)


Also:
Hopefully you’ll use a less alkaline APC
for future vehicle interior cleaning.


Bob

[Tieguy77]

Thanks for the recommendations Bob. And here I thought I had done my due diligence. I thought, I was being safe and going beyond what the Pro's in the videos used. The 303 didn't do much to help unfortunately.

*Edit

In fact, in thinking about this, one video in particular stuck out as the Gent was quite liberal with his Super Clean at 5:1 on plastic and seemed to have no issues. While every car is different of course, I'm really disappointed about this. Live and learn. The vid below was only one of at least three who gave a glowing endorsement of the product for use as an APC on interiors including leather. Maybe this will help someone else avoid my mistake.

YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glNKsn0YQ0o&t=181s)

[Thomkirby]

Thanks for the recommendations Bob. And here I thought I had done my due diligence. I thought, I was being safe and going beyond what the Pro's in the videos used. The 303 didn't do much to help unfortunately.

*Edit

In fact, in thinking about this, one video in particular stuck out as the Gent was quite liberal with his Super Clean at 5:1 on plastic and seemed to have no issues. While every car is different of course, I'm really disappointed about this. Live and learn. The vid below was only one of at least three who gave a glowing endorsement of the product for use as an APC on interiors including leather. Maybe this will help someone else avoid my mistake.

YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glNKsn0YQ0o&t=181s)

I agree with Bob and do remember that all plastics are different. I can see your photo and it looks like the oils in the skin are what caused the color change, the APC just cleaned the plastic. I have similar looks on my keyboard at the office with either wearing the texture down or else leaving a residue on the keys that destroy or alter the colors in the plastic. Seen similar in a MB E350 where they never cleaned nor treated the trim. That just ate away the rubber on the steering wheel button exposing the white plastic underneath!

It will be a trial and error process on finding something to restore that trim to black and a bit more luster. The Wolfgang Cockpit trim product might be the one but really have no idea on how it dries and cures. Look at the recent product reviews forum section, perhaps BF Trim Restorer or similar might give the results you are seeking.

[Tieguy77]

I agree with Bob and do remember that all plastics are different. I can see your photo and it looks like the oils in the skin are what caused the color change, the APC just cleaned the plastic. I have similar looks on my keyboard at the office with either wearing the texture down or else leaving a residue on the keys that destroy or alter the colors in the plastic. Seen similar in a MB E350 where they never cleaned nor treated the trim. That just ate away the rubber on the steering wheel button exposing the white plastic underneath!

It will be a trial and error process on finding something to restore that trim to black and a bit more luster. The Wolfgang Cockpit trim product might be the one but really have no idea on how it dries and cures. Look at the recent product reviews forum section, perhaps BF Trim Restorer or similar might give the results you are seeking.

Thank you Thom, I appreciate the response. My dilution (10:1) was definitely not plastic safe....at least not for my buttons. The buttons were definitely dirty prior to using the APC, but they were more of a uniform black glossy color. The fading came into play after I applied the cleaner. Definitely in for some trial and error with products, but I am SO glad that I didn't use this on my leather seats.

[PaulMys]

Just for future reference......

It is MUCH recommended to read/ask here on AGO than believe anything posted on YouTube.

From Mike P all the way down to weekend warrior peons (like me), anyone here on this forum will have the knowledge/experience to steer you away from the future mistakes of believing the infamous "YouTube Influencers".

[Tieguy77]

Just for future reference......

It is MUCH recommended to read/ask here on AGO than believe anything posted on YouTube.

From Mike P all the way down to weekend warrior peons (like me), anyone here on this forum will have the knowledge/experience to steer you away from the future mistakes of believing the infamous "YouTube Influencers".


Yeah about that ^^^ I'm a little Upset about that to be honest. I have ALWAYS prided myself on doing extensive research before trying new products etc...So I really thought that given the results and recommendations I had seen from Dallas Paint Correction, Detail Groove and Wilson Auto Detailing, I was in the clear. Especially since I diluted twice as much as all but one. My mistake, and as Thom pointed out above, all plastics are different. In the end, just because it worked well for these guys, clearly doesn't mean it will work for everyone....so I'm certainly not blaming them. I will however say, that in addition to hindsight being 20/20, since I made the mistake I am finding quite a few stories of faded plastics etc...from Superclean. I should have searched for that beforehand. Frankly, if I was brining my car to a pro who liberally applied this on the interior plastics, I would be very unhappy.

[PaulMys]

Yeah about that ^^^ I'm a little Upset about that to be honest. I have ALWAYS prided myself on doing extensive research before trying new products etc...So I really thought that given the results and recommendations I had seen from Dallas Paint Correction, Detail Groove and Wilson Auto Detailing, I was in the clear. Especially since I diluted twice as much as all but one. My mistake, and as Thom pointed out above, all plastics are different. In the end, just because it worked well for these guys, clearly doesn't mean it will work for everyone....so I'm certainly not blaming them. I will however say, that in addition to hindsight being 20/20, since I made the mistake I am finding quite a few stories of faded plastics etc...from Superclean. I should have searched for that beforehand.

Yeah, I agree.

Honest evaluations here on AGO from respected members are, to me, 100x better than anyone promoting/selling anything on the 'Tube........... ;)

[Tieguy77]

Agree 100% Check out that youtube vid I linked to if you get a second. I mean 5:1 liberal spraying....."So safe" I just don't get it.

[PaulMys]

Agree 100% Check out that youtube vid I linked to if you get a second. I mean 5:1 liberal spraying....."So safe" I just don't get it.

I think I'll pass on the vid.

I get enough nausea watching the "small engine super-hero mechanics" make a 20 minute video on an engine tear-down that could have been fixed with a carb adjustment tool.......... ;)

[Tieguy77]

I think I'll pass on the vid.

I get enough nausea watching the "small engine super-hero mechanics" make a 20 minute video on an engine tear-down that could have been fixed with a carb adjustment tool.......... ;)

Ha Ha......I don't blame you.

[Shine Again]

I have not used many of APC due to one of the first ones I used I really found to be good. I use "All Clean By:Chemical Guys" I have found i can use it on everything one the car with the right dilution. However on my interior details I find myself using distill water with a magic eraser. Then follow up with a quick detailer spray and dressing.