Cleaning Vinyl on Interior Trim Panels

[jfbrink]

I did some experimenting today with cleaning the grime off the vinyl on my interior trim pieces. I should note that I tried each cleaning method on a fresh panel area -- they are not cumulative. 

 

•First I tried Blue Magic Leather & Vinyl cleaner, which got good reviews on Amazon. With a lot of vigorous rubbing, it cleaned off maybe 50% of the grime, not very evenly.

 

•Next, I tried a dishwashing liquid, by Seventh Generation, and it cleaned off about 75% of the grime very evenly, with less rubbing.

 

•Third, I tried Tide Free & Gentle HE, by smoothing it on with my fingers and then, about a minute later, rub-wiping it off with a sponge under running water. This got me into, I dunno, the high 80s, percentage-wise. Very even.

 

•Lastly, I smoothed the Tide on and let it sit for 5 minutes before rub-wiping it off under running water & the vinyl looks amazing. There are still dings, scratches and a few pale stains, but no grime at all.

 

Below are before/after pics of the 5-minute Tide cleaning. The "white" after panel actually started out dirtier than the before panel, but you get the idea. 

 

As I mentioned at the start, I didn't get these results doing each of these cleansers in sequence, on these panels, I just did the Tide HE. But, the 5-minute Tide HE method also finished off the partially cleansed panels from the three previous tests.  

 

Jesse.

 

[Pacific coast Datsun]

Good to know your process & products used. The difference is amazing. Im a big fan of full strength Simple green & a soft scrub brush dipped in warm water for viynl or any cleanup process.

[Jester]

You know, all the years of working on older rigs and I have NEVER tried Simple Green. I have always used Super Clean. I don't recommend using it on interior though. It will take the color right off. 

 

I'll have to try Simple Green. 

[ppeters914]

I had heard many good things about Super Clean, so bought some. Very UNimpressed. Depending on what I'm cleaning, I use: Simple Green, BrakeKleen, and gasoline. Good ventilation critical on the last two.  :frantics:

[Charlie69]

I use Simple Green on everything.  Even use it in my  parts washer.  I like it straight in the parts washer just like I like my Crown Royal!  Well that is before I got old and quit drinking Crown Royal.

[ownTer]

Thanks for sharing! Will have to give the Tide a shot.

 

 

Ive got to get after my headliner.  White and looks to have never been cleaned.

[qwik510]

It is regular tide or tide with bleach?

[jfbrink]

It's Tide Free & Gentle (HE). It's supposed to be formulated for modern efficient washing machines. 

 

To my knowledge, it doesn't have a bleach option. For this purpose, the lack of perfumes & colorants is good.

 

Jesse.

[qwik510]

It's Tide Free & Gentle (HE). It's supposed to be formulated for modern efficient washing machines. 

 

To my knowledge, it doesn't have a bleach option. For this purpose, the lack of perfumes & colorants is good.

 

Jesse.

Nice. I'll have to give it a try. Thanks for sharing.

[Laecaon]

Me clean magic erasers. They work on everything...

[DanielC]

I like using Dawn dishwashing detergent, a little bit, in a spray bottle full with water.

 

Magic erasers are abrasive.  I would not use then on vinyl.