Interior Plastic Protectant

DON'T put anything on the plastic!!!

 

I used some Armorall wipes a couple of weeks ago and can report the plastic is still clean and shiney (was dull before). A word of warning though: do NOT apply to MFD screen or console display as it will smear and smudge them, and do NOT apply it to the steering wheel...at least if you plan on being able to grip it later.

 

I use 303 Aerospace Protectant on interior and some exterior plastic a few times a year. I like it because it makes things look good but doesn't make them real slippery. It is also suppose to offer UV protection which must be a good thing to have.

I agree with Frog, don't use any of this stuff on the MFD or Navi screen. The only thing I have used on mine is distilled water wiped off with a clean soft cloth. I have used 303 on the steering wheel without any problems but not Armorall.

 

There is a company called Atlas, that operates facilities like the one I once visited down in South Florida. It's located in the everglades. When you arrive you notice an odd looking 'field' out in back of the building. You'll see rows of many varied products sitting in the sun. Things like aircraft parts, plastic composite deck planking, about 30 black Jeep tire covers like the ones on the backs of many Jeep Wranglers and Liberty models. There is a box filled with car speedometers. These things are being evaluated for how badly they deteriorate and acquire mildew. Sunlight damages most things. Where better to test that resistance to sunlight damage than South Florida. The plastic interior parts of all modern cars and trucks do not need you applying anything because the sunlight resistance was designed into them and extensively tested by people like those at Atlas. Save your money, besides the stuff you apply will probably do more harm than good.
Case in point: Modern Poly-Vinyl Chloride siding has a coating on it that is .008 inch thick to keep it from breaking down in sunlight. It can be damaged chemically by many things, like household bleach, for example. So washing it with some homegrown concotion may cause the siding to deteriorate faster than it would if you just left it alone. And it has a normal life deisgned into it of 20 years. After that the siding begins to breakdown from sunlight.

 

Add another vote to using the 303 Aerospace Protectant! I tried it today, after your post, in fact.

I'd say, though, that you should dust your dash, etc, using a microfiber cloth, regularly; something like a Swiffer refill works. Dusting regularly will keep a film from forming on the surfaces, which is more difficult to remove later...

Also use a lens-cleaning microfiber cloth on your plastic "lenses", like the DVD/NAV display, if applicable. (Microfiber is great for detailing!)

Let us know if you find anything else which works wonders.

 

303.
Don't waste time screwing around with other stuff.
Yes, it is great on the "rough" plastic of the Prius.
Don't use anything like this on the MFD, etc.
303.

 

I've been using 303 for over 20 years with excellent results.

 

303

 

I do not use interior 'protectants' like Armor All, but I use interior quick detailers to provide some moisture for getting dust/dirt up.

But for the exterior, look no further than 303 Aerospace protectant. It's a little hard to find, but it works and looks great. Don't let the sun burn up your exterior plastic trim.

I use windshield shade to protect the dash and keep the interior cooler.

 

With such a mix of materials I find I have developed a multi step procedure with my Prius.
First step is to vacuum.
Then cover the dashboard top with a towel and clean the inside of the windscreen with Windex ( a household window cleaner).
Move the towel to cover the leather seats and then clean the top of the dash and the console with Mothers Protectant.
Next step is to apply Meguiars Leather cleaner/conditioner to the leather.
Finally all screens get a cleanup with PC screen wipes.

Between major cleans most surfaces get a wipe down with a damp cloth after vacuuming.

Within days of getting the Prius my wife noticed a scuff mark on the leather on the drivers seat roughly where my hip touches the seat when I get in. I applied some leather conditioner and the mark turned out to be really bad but had been covered up with some sort of dye . The seat looked like it belonged in a five year old car just weeks after new. Complained to the dealer and today they have replaced the whole leather covering on the drivers seat at no cost.

The hard part is keeping the outside clean. We have had water restrictions for the last three years so a commercial car wash is the only option once every couple of weeks.

David

 

I've been using nothing but a damp clean cloth on cars for about 40 years, and never a problem, always works Great !

 

+1 for 303 Aerospace Protectant

 

Does ArmorAll on the clear plastic screen permanently smudge it / ruin it? Or is it a thing you can wipe off if eventually.

 

I think if I had that problem I would send an email to ArmorAll and ask them. It may be soluble with something, such as alcohol for example, that won't hurt the plastic. Then take what ever they suggest and try it on just a tiny corner of the screen with a Q-tip and wait for a day or so.

Edit: As mentioned below ArmorAll isn't so good anyway. As previously stated I use 303 and when I'm near the screens I spray it on a rag and then wipe it on the dash.

 

I am afraid that I wouldn't use ArmorAll on plastic that I intended to recycle. It is the worst protectant on the market, in my opinion. It is too slippery, it is too "greasy" and too shiny and people who are far more experienced than I am in the various detailling forums don't like it either.

There are just so many other, better products on the market.

 

i'm with "new yorker" - to keep things clean, just a damp cloth (i prefer microfiber) and a quick wipedown will do wonders. If you have a spot that you can't get off, then I'm sure some type of plastic cleaner would work just fine on the interior.

I've even taken to cleaning the interior of the windows with just tap water and a microfiber cloth. Works just as well, and actually doesn't streak as much as some chemical cleaners will.

 

These products are expensive but work impressively:

Speed Shine Refill Kit - Cleaners - Car Washing - Car Care - Griot's Garage

Spray-On Car Wash Kit - Cleaners - Car Washing - Car Care - Griot's Garage