What do you use to Polish and Shine your Bimmer's Interior??

[sclera2000]

Call me obsessed, but everytime I get into my bimmer I want it to shine like its new and keep buying stuff to make it shine "safetly". So the Dealer recommened Wurth Cockpit Care for my dash and seats (leatherette) and said that all the customers "ooooh aaah" over it. So I ordered it online, used it and.... Blah! its all dried up and looks exactly the same as before. I'm sure its not bad stuff because its got Jojoba Oil and Carnuba wax in it and best part of all it doesnt use silicone (which can ruin your paint even on the outside of your car - since it gets into the air somehow). Anyone have a Showroom Look that LASTS using any products out there?? Please advise.

[icemanjs4]

Call me obsessed, but everytime I get into my bimmer I want it to shine like its new and keep buying stuff to make it shine "safetly". So the Dealer recommened Wurth Cockpit Care for my dash and seats (leatherette) and said that all the customers "ooooh aaah" over it. So I ordered it online, used it and.... Blah! its all dried up and looks exactly the same as before. I'm sure its not bad stuff because its got Jojoba Oil and Carnuba wax in it and best part of all it doesnt use silicone (which can ruin your paint even on the outside of your car - since it gets into the air somehow). Anyone have a Showroom Look that LASTS using any products out there?? Please advise.

A)The interior of your BMW should NOT shine. It should be clean with a matte finish.

B) Check out the Detail Department forums here. There are tons of information regarding this exact topic there. Some popular choices will include using a 6-to-1 mixture of water and woollite for cleaning, and Zaino leather in a bottle, or Zymol, or Leatherique or Einzett products to clean/condition the interior.

Good luck. and PLEASE do NOT make your leatherette shine. please please please

[cmicahjohnson]

For the dash and trim, I use the Amorall ultimate clean with a little of the regular Amorall mixed in (like a 3 to 1 mix). You have to be careful with the regular though because it can leave the interior 'slick and greasy'. All kinds of debris will also stick to it. So far I have only tried the Amorall leather cleaner for the seats; havent really shopped around for anything else. Not sure of the overall effect you are trying to acheive, but it achieves the look I want. Once I did it when I bought the car, I only have to mist a towel and give it a wipe over when I clean the car. If it is mixed just right you get a look that isn't shiney and greasy but just above glossier than matte and appears 'new' and it lasts between washings. And, if you decide to try this, make sure you get a towel that won't leave behind lint. But I agree, a I don't think 'shine' is the way to go. Just my opinion, but it can cheapen the look of the car.

[icemanjs4]

For the dash and trim, I use the Amorall ultimate clean with a little of the regular Amorall mixed in (like a 3 to 1 mix). You have to be careful with the regular though because it can leave the interior 'slick and greasy'. All kinds of debris will also stick to it. So far I have only tried the Amorall leather cleaner for the seats; havent really shopped around for anything else. Not sure of the overall effect you are trying to acheive, but it achieves the look I want. Once I did it when I bought the car, I only have to mist a towel and give it a wipe over when I clean the car. If it is mixed just right you get a look that isn't shiney and greasy but just above glossier than matte and appears 'new' and it lasts between washings. And, if you decide to try this, make sure you get a towel that won't leave behind lint. But I agree, a I don't think 'shine' is the way to go. Just my opinion, but it can cheapen the look of the car.

Noooooooooooooooooooooo. Throw away the Armor All. You spent that much money on a car, please spend a few more dollars, and a few hours reading and treat your car the right way. For cleaning you will do much better with a 6-to-1 mix of water and woollite. Check out Zaino (www.zainostore.com), Lexol, leatherique, or other similar products. PLEASE lose the armorall this very second.

[AzNMpower32]

Armor all is terrible. BMW interiors are not supposed to shine......it is a matte finish so glare isnt a problem. Although my X3's dash literally needs no care, I recommend Mengiar's Natural Shine Vinyl & Rubber protectant and I use it on my Lexus ES. I'm pretty sure there's better stuff out there like Zaino but I still haven't been able to find them on the shelves. I like the kind I use cuz it doesnt give a greasy shine, but its subtle and makes it look new. Surprisingly, its the first vinyl protectant I've used that actually isn't really liquid; its thick and kinda foamy and you gotta shake it before using.

Armor all is a big no no for anything.

[JonathanIT]

Why would you want your interior polished and shiny?? Go to a dealer and look at a new interior... the whole point is, they're not shiny.

--J.

[zentenn]

Here's what I use. Works great and is a dull finish :thumbup:


http://www.drivewerks.com/catalog/images/drivewerks/einszett/924705.jpg

[avalys]

For those who cannot tell, that is Einszett Cockpit Premium. I use it as well, it's great.

All the Einszett products are great, really.

[icemanjs4]

I will agree Einzett makes good products.

Seriously, people, go look in the detailing forum. There are tons of recommendations that many people have agreed upon. Please don't make any decisions based on this thread alone!!!

[hockeynut]

Please don't make any decisions based on this thread alone!!!

You can make one decision based on this thread...no shiny armourall!!!

Sclera, go immediately to the detail forum and we will guide you safely into detailing nirvana!

[icemanjs4]

You can make one decision based on this thread...no shiny armourall!!!

Sclera, go immediately to the detail forum and we will guide you safely into detailing nirvana!

Hockey, that reminds me - how does the interior of your car look now that you scrubbed it with the Zaino leather cleaner? And does it still have that new car smell?

I'm amazed, a friend sat in my car and said "WOW I love the smell of your car - it smells like leather". My car's over a year old. I applied Zaino "Leather in a bottle" over a month ago.

[hockeynut]

Hockey, that reminds me - how does the interior of your car look now that you scrubbed it with the Zaino leather cleaner? And does it still have that new car smell?

I'm amazed, a friend sat in my car and said "WOW I love the smell of your car - it smells like leather". My car's over a year old. I applied Zaino "Leather in a bottle" over a month ago.

It still looks, smells and feels great! That stuff is amazing x 100 !! The smell is cool, but it amazes me how much softer the seats are after that treatment.

[strobl]

I bought the BMW interior cleaner, and have been using it, but a friend of mine told me "his only reservation about that product is that it has alcohol in it." He worked for BMW for a while. Should I not use it?

[Alex Baumann]

I usually check the Detailing forum :p

[Philip]

Agree agree... DO NOT USE AMORALL! There are lots of much better products on the market. Also, agree your interior should have a matte or natural look.

Meguiar's makes a professional product for vinyl parts called #40 Vinyl/rubber Cleaner Conditioner. Very good product that will not leave that smeary greasy look. PLUS it gives UV protection. Lexall also has some fine products for the interior.

Phil
First Place Auto LLC

[Elvis530i]

It still looks, smells and feels great! That stuff is amazing x 100 !! The smell is cool, but it amazes me how much softer the seats are after that treatment.

:stupid:

My car is 4 years old and father-in-law thought it was new the first time he got in it. I'm addicted to that stuff.

For my trim (which, fortunately is still in good shape), I just wipe it down with a rag with a little glass cleaner. Armor-All is the devil. It's for exterior trim ONLY, and even then there are much better products that do the same thing.

I use Spot-Shot for any dirt in the upholstery. Woolite stinks, IMO, and takes too long to dry. Spot-Shot will take out just about ANY stain, and dries in minutes.

I put Old English furniture oil on my wood trim. :D Yes, I know it's sealed in plastic, but it gives it a pure, clean shine and doesn't attract dust.

[racer1]

Call me obsessed, but everytime I get into my bimmer I want it to shine like its new and keep buying stuff to make it shine "safetly". So the Dealer recommened Wurth Cockpit Care for my dash and seats (leatherette) and said that all the customers "ooooh aaah" over it. So I ordered it online, used it and.... Blah! its all dried up and looks exactly the same as before. I'm sure its not bad stuff because its got Jojoba Oil and Carnuba wax in it and best part of all it doesnt use silicone (which can ruin your paint even on the outside of your car - since it gets into the air somehow). Anyone have a Showroom Look that LASTS using any products out there?? Please advise.


Good ol' Crisco. That will put a lasting shine like none other.

[amt7565]

The area behind the rear passenger seats- right beneath the rear window area- this has velvetty material on it (it's where the rear speakers are located). Dust is getting acculated in this velvetty material and is hard to get out.

Anyone has any ideas as to how to get them out? How to get it out of the sticky material.?

thanks.

[Elvis530i]

The area behind the rear passenger seats- right beneath the rear window area- this has velvetty material on it (it's where the rear speakers are located). Dust is getting acculated in this velvetty material and is hard to get out.

Anyone has any ideas as to how to get them out? How to get it out of the sticky material.?

thanks.

Lint brush. Probably 1.99 at Target.

[frank325]

I don't use anything other than a california dash duster. Maybe it's just me, but I keep my interior very clean just the way I am.... I guess it helps that I don't eat or drink in there, and I have no kids and rarely have anyone else in the car... so it pretty much keeps itself clean.

[sclera2000]

If I put Crisco (LOL) on my dash... when summer rolls around I'll have the "fried dash" look..... and it will be a fried dash. I'm not looking to cook my car... just to clean it. haha.
You know.. I just noticed that the Wurth Cockpit Care Interior Dash Polish actually took the "dry" look away. Even though it took 4 applications, its now kinda permanent... with all the sun bathing it gets. It also seems to work well on the leatherette seats... but I know theres better stuff out there for seats.

[racer1]

If I put Crisco (LOL) on my dash... when summer rolls around I'll have the "fried dash" look..... and it will be a fried dash. I'm not looking to cook my car... just to clean it. haha.
You know.. I just noticed that the Wurth Cockpit Care Interior Dash Polish actually took the "dry" look away. Even though it took 4 applications, its now kinda permanent... with all the sun bathing it gets. It also seems to work well on the leatherette seats... but I know theres better stuff out there for seats.


For the seats, I use Bacon fat:p

[DRWWE]

I keep a California Dash Duster under my seat and use it often. I hate dust.

On the interior vinyl I use 303 aerospace protectant--makes everything look great, is not shiny, does not attract dust, and is supposed to provide UV protection. It goes on the dash, doors, door trim, gas/brake pedal.

On the wood trim I use Meguiar's clear plastic detailer and a microfiber towel since it does have a plastic coating. That does give it a shine but I like that.

The leather gets Leatherique. I've found nothing better. Again, not shiny.

[Johnz3mc]

Another comment about dashes and vinyl protecting:
303 aerospace protectant - easy to purchase and provides a beautiful matte finish plus UV protection.
If you already have the Einszett products, by all means use them, they're wonderful too.
As for the Armourall, save it for the wheelwells and tires just don't use it on the interior.
-John C.

[Heatseeker]

I've been using the products that BMW offers at their dealerships from the very beginning to clean my dash and seats. In my opinion they're the best option.

[dirsh]

303 aerospace protectant for dash

Lexol to clean leather and Leatherique to condition


here's a tip I learned from a fanatic: If your seatbelt isn't retracting like it used to, pull it out all the way, and spray some 303 on it to lube the rollers.

[Guest84]

Griots Interior cleaner, followed up by Griots Vinyl and Rubber dressing. Just spent 2 hours doing my interior yesterday. :thumbup:

[GearFreak]

Zymol only, period!:thumbup:
Zymol is all-natural no harsh petrol chemicals and fumes.

Use
Zymol: Vinyl - conditioner for dashboard
Zymol: Leather Cleaner
Zymol: Treat - leather conditioner

Or
303 Aerospace Protectant

And buff with a 100% cotton towel,
And get a Zymol: Microwipe, it is (rubber/nylon) not microfiber polyester to clean the dust off, keep in glove box.


Question?
Want to detail and protect the new Aluminum trim on a BMW E90, what do U recommend; there is no clear coat?
I was told by Zymol HD-Cleanse.

Also I want to protect the gage cluster screen. I have for my computer screens and electronics Klear Screen, but I like all-natural eco friendly products. Zymol makes Screen Clean Polish and Wax has anybody tried it?

[eric77]

303 aerospace protectant is great on vinyl