Hey guys,

Just got my car back from the body shop and they sent it to a detailer after the body work was completed. The detailer used some greasy(and in my opinion, stinky - smells like a strawberry farted) stuff all over my dash/center console.

I'd like to apply my own non-stinky/greasy products - 303 for the dash and zaino z10 for the leather. What's the best way to clean off the old product before I apply my stuff? Just a bucket of water and a rag? Should I use soap too? Any tips on how to do this? Thanks!

Jim

 

jim- you can use a damp towel (and you can use a mild detergent too if you want- just be sure to rinse it off with another clean damp towel) on the vinyl parts... and dry really well- then use a good vinyl product like vinylex, 303 or raggtopp.
but on the leather you want to use a leather cleaner followed by a leather preservative. my fav is townsends.

 

Thanks for your advice, wanabe! I ended up using a damp cloth and a rinse bucket to go over the entire interior and that did a fabulous job cleaning up the mess. After that, I cleaned and conditioned the leather with zaino z9 and z10. I'm very happy with the results of this product. The leather looks clean and well conditioned, and best of all, my interior smells fantastic (smells like I got new leather in my car!). I'll give townsend a try when my zaino runs out so I can do a comparo of the two products.

Quick Question though...When using the zaino leather cleaner, I just sprayed it straight on to the leather and use a terry cloth to rub it in and another MF towel to dry/buff the leather. However, when I use a terry cloth to rub the cleaner in, it seems like I'm just mopping it up instead of spreading it around and allowing it to clean the leather. Would using a brush instead of a terry cloth more effectively clean my seats? I feel like the cleaner isn't really getting a chance to be scrubbed into the leather. Suggestions?

 

of course we have suggestions!!

1. i do not spray directly on the leather- i soak a microfiber pad and then use it to rub the cleaner on the leather. i rub out the nonperforated areas first (so that i dont get the cleaner inside the holes) and then the perforated areas after the pad has a bit less product on it

2. i wouldnt use a brush on the leather unless you have a stain that you are trying to get out- and even then i have gotten all that i have encountered with just elbow grease... but thats just my personal style.

when you are ready:

http://www.townsendleather.com/products.asp