Explorer interior help

[harshest]

OK here is what I have, 2006 Ford Explorer with this light beige interior. As you can see from the pictures the arm rests and center consoul have what appears to be dirt on them but I am thinking now that the actual color or "finish" of the material is rubbing off. Here is what I have tried so far

1. APC+ 10:1
2. APC 4:1
3. Woolite and Water
4. Dawn and Water
5. Magic Eraser

Has anyone run into this before? Any suggestions on what to possible tru next? Thanks

[CieraSL]

Re: Explorer interior help

My guess is the finish is just wearing off. You can't clean that off - you actually have to re-dye it. If you look at my steering wheel in this picture, you can see where it has worn. So, yeah, your best bet is to go get some dye from Advance Auto Parts or somewhere like that and then re-dye it. If you choose to do that, you'll either have to remove the panels and such to be sprayed or just mask off the surrounding area really good. Hope this helps!

[Mike Phillips]

Re: Explorer interior help

If APC+ isn't removing the ground in dirt, then that's a pretty good sign it's really embedded into the material.

I'm not sure how much different M39 is from APC or APC+ but I've always had good luck with M39 for ground-in dirt and grime like you show in your pictures.

M39 is not for leather, but vinyl, rubber and plastic. Might give it a try if you've exhausted all your other products/ideas. Use a soft to medium nylon bristle brush to agitate.

[AeroCleanse]

Re: Explorer interior help

Are you spraying on the product then wiping off, or are you using a detail brush to agitate it? I have often found that I need to break out a detailing brush (mine is shaped like a toothbrush only with a head at each end)

[harshest]

Re: Explorer interior help

My guess is the finish is just wearing off. You can't clean that off - you actually have to re-dye it. If you look at my steering wheel in this picture, you can see where it has worn. So, yeah, your best bet is to go get some dye from Advance Auto Parts or somewhere like that and then re-dye it. If you choose to do that, you'll either have to remove the panels and such to be sprayed or just mask off the surrounding area really good. Hope this helps!

Were you able to get a dye that matched the factory color or did you have to get one that was close and do the whole wheel? If this is the case I would like to just touch up the areas and not do the entire door panel.

Are you spraying on the product then wiping off, or are you using a detail brush to agitate it? I have often found that I need to break out a detailing brush (mine is shaped like a toothbrush only with a head at each end)

Sprayed it on + agitate with stiff brush + scrub with microfiber wet with APC + wipe with wet microfiber + dry area with dry microfiber = NOTHING

[CieraSL]

Re: Explorer interior help

Were you able to get a dye that matched the factory color or did you have to get one that was close and do the whole wheel? If this is the case I would like to just touch up the areas and not do the entire door panel.

Well, I decided not to mess with the steering wheel. But if you look at the plastic underneath the door (not on the door itself - the area where it would normally get hit with your shoe when getting out of the car), that was getting worn really bad so I re-dyed it. I couldn't get some of the screws out in order to remove that panel piece, so I just masked everything off as best as I could and then dyed it. Managed to find a color almost spot on with the factory color. It actually turned out very nice for my first time. I used SEM Color Coat. You can probably find it at Advance Auto Parts or Wally World. If you can bring a small plastic panel piece with you so you can match it up, that's best. Then after you're done, just leave your windows down for a while so it can dry and your Explorer won't smell like fumes! Hope this helps!