jfbrink Posted March 9, 2015 Report Share Posted March 9, 2015 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. 1 Quote Link to comment
Pacific coast Datsun Posted March 9, 2015 Report Share Posted March 9, 2015 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. 1 Quote Link to comment
Jester Posted March 9, 2015 Report Share Posted March 9, 2015 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. 1 Quote Link to comment
ppeters914 Posted March 9, 2015 Report Share Posted March 9, 2015 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: 1 Quote Link to comment
Charlie69 Posted March 14, 2015 Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 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. Quote Link to comment
ownTer Posted March 14, 2015 Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 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. Quote Link to comment
qwik510 Posted March 14, 2015 Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 It is regular tide or tide with bleach? Quote Link to comment
jfbrink Posted March 14, 2015 Author Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 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. Quote Link to comment
qwik510 Posted March 14, 2015 Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 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. Quote Link to comment
Laecaon Posted March 14, 2015 Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 Me clean magic erasers. They work on everything... Quote Link to comment
DanielC Posted March 14, 2015 Report Share Posted March 14, 2015 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. Quote Link to comment
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