Leather Cleaner on Plastic Console

[maytime]

I was cleaning my leather seats in my Lexus IS300 and had an errant spray with my leather cleaner and got some spray dots on the black matte finished plastic console (mainly on my stereo unit).

I didn't notice I had done this till the day after and by then it was pretty well caked on to the plastic. I tried using warm water and a paper towel but that didn't do much of anything.

I'm worried about tarnishing the matte finish of the plastic, so I was wondering if there are any products or techniques you suggest?

I see the Quik Interior Mist and Wipe Detailer might do the trick without harming my matte finish if I use a microfiber towel. Should I go that route?

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Leather Cleaner on Plastic Console

I see the Quik Interior Mist and Wipe Detailer might do the trick without harming my matte finish if I use a microfiber towel. Should I go that route?

The above is probably the safest approach to a fix. Purchase the spray bottle version and then shake it up well.

Fold a clean, dry microfiber 4 ways and them spray this product onto one side of the folded microfiber.

Now wipe the affected areas with this "dampened cloth", rub gently but thoroughly and then turn to a dry side to wipe any excess off.

This by the way is the best way to apply any kind of spray dressing to your interior, that is instead of spraying the dressing directly onto the surface, instead dampen one side of a clean polishing cloth and then use this dampened side to apply the dressing.


You could also dampen one of our foam wax applicator pads or our microfiber applicator pads.

Applying with some type of applicator pad instead of spraying the product around gives you...

"precise control over product placement"


Hope this helps and let us know what happens when you try to fix the problem. The materials used inside of new/modern cars are becoming harder to work with and trending towards dedicated products for dedicated materials which would equate to dedicated products for specific models of cars and that's going to be cost prohibitive from a marketing point of view.

Manufactures will be better off to stick with interior materials and components that are user friendly for their customers. Not complicated and impossible to maintain and susceptible to damage at the drop of a pin.

[maytime]

Re: Leather Cleaner on Plastic Console

Thanks. I ordered the Quik spray and the microfiber towels and will see how it goes. I tried calling Lexus to see if they had any suggestions but they haven't gotten back to me yet.

I know what you mean with the automakers pushing their own cleaning products. I bought Lexus brand leather cleaner and conditioner for $22 a bottle (rip off), but they said it was the only cleaner/conditioner perfectly fine tuned for my kind of leather.

EDIT: Lexus got back to me and said they don't offer any sort of cleaner for what I need, so at least I know they won't use the scare tactics to keep me buying their brand of cleaner for this instance.

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Leather Cleaner on Plastic Console

Three threads on the related topic of applying dressings so we whipped up a little pictoral how to article for your reading enjoyment. Give the technique below with you get the QID.




How To Apply Interior Dressings

Instead of spraying an interior spray dressing or cleaner directly onto the surface where overspray can be a problem, instead try this technique.

Take a clean microfiber polishing cloth, foam wax applicator pad, microfiber applicator pad or even a household terry cloth wash rag and fold it at least 4-ways, (more if it's really large), and then dampen one side of it by spraying your choice of dressing or cleaner onto the cloth or applicator pad.

Now take this dampened side of your applicator cloth or pad and use it to wipe down the appropriate surfaces in your car's interior always matching the correct product to the surface to be treated. By using this technique you have precise control over product placement and avoid getting overspray onto adjacent surfaces where you may not want a dressing or a cleaner.


Using Quik Interior Detailer to clean the dash on a 1975 Jimmy











Meguiar's Soft Foam Applicator Pad



Meguiar's Supreme Shine Microfiber Polishing Cloth



A clean, household wash rag




If you're using a foam or microfiber wax applicator pad, first bury the nozzle into the pad then inject some dressing or cleaner into the pad. Squeeze the trigger slowly and allow the liquid to penetrate into the foam. It won't take much to give you plenty to spread around. Add more as needed and keep a clean dry polishing cloth around to wipe off any excess from the surface.











Ick! Look at some of the dirt we're removing!
Time for an Interior Extreme Makeover!



Product selection is always important but just as important is the technique you use to apply the product.