Need to do the first big clean on the interior of my RL this coming weekend to get her ready for the summer sun. I was wondering what the community is using as cleaners / conditioners / protectorates on the interior of their RLs? I am mostly concerned with the top of that dash since that takes the biggest beating from the sun. I will be using Lexol products on seats.
If anyone says that they use Armor All on their RL I will be stopping by to take your keys.

 

Interested in this as well.

 

I am fanatical about detailing my cars. For my 06 RL and my inherited 1979 Cadillac (30 yrs old with original leather in mint/supple condition (43k miles)) I use Griots Garage interior cleaner on just about every surface, including the dash, carpets, leather, plastic and vinyl trim. It is a very safe and mild cleaner. I am in the furniture business and also recommend the Griots Garage interior cleaner to my furniture dealers to use on upholstered sofas in their showrooms.

For leather protection I use Griots leather care and Eagle One leather conditioner. On the Cadillac over many years (it was a neighbors car from NY....I detailed the car when new in High School) I have used Lexol and Eagle One Leather car and most recently the Griot's Leather Care. Since the Cadi is so old I also coat the dash to preserve it. It is amazing how well the Cadillac leather still looks and feels and still smells like "Cadillac Leather" (a big thing back in the day when Cadillac was THE car).

I do not use any leather care on the RL's dash. I use a custom fit window sun sunshade when parking in the summer. I don't want the sun glare from any coating.

I also used the Griots Leather care and Eagle One on my 2003 Acura and the leather was pristine and supple as new at 183k mikes when I sold the car in late 2007. Also use on some vintage cars in my buddies classic car collection with great results.

Have fun in your garage!

Ed

 

Thanks for all the info Ed.
I have a 'one size fits all' sunshade that I use but where did you get the custom one at?

 

I use Zaino 2x a year on the outside, Lexol on the leather, and Aerospace 303 on the vinyl and tires.

 

www.autosportcatalog.com $49.95 for custom fit

Ed

 

How about shampooing the carpet and floor mats? I was going to head to Ace Hardware to rent a machine, but wanted to make sure that wasn't a mistake.

 

Great!
Thanks Ed

 

I have used custom fit sunshades for various cars for years. I first used the UltraViolet shield (first item for $49.95 in Autosport), but found it sort of heavy, and after a few years, the cardboard stiffener began to sag, so I tried a different construction and have bought several of these roll up custom fit shades for years.

I probably bought 4 or 5 Canvas Works Heat Shields over the years
http://www.canvasworks.com/catalog/p...products_id=14

For the RL, I tried the IntroTech, just to see what else was out there, and found it functionally and visually equivalent to the Canvas Works product. I had ordered mine from Hondacuraworld.com because I was getting other accessories, so this was thrown into the order to minimize shipping charge. Here is the manufacturer site:
http://www.autoseattle.com/sunshades.htm

 

I've used the same autosport sunshade for 7 years. The same sunshade that fit my CL fits my RL perfectly. Go figure.

 

The one I use in my RL is actually the one I had custom made for my 2007 VW GTi.....I still have the one from my 183k mile 2003 CL-S, but that windshield was SOOOO big (that car was based on the 1998-2002 Honda Accord that had a very low cowl) that it is actually too large for my RL! It is in great shape though. Well worth the $50. I will have to check out the one Chas2 recommends.

Ed

 

No need to rent a commercial rug steamer

For really tough stains go to Home Depot and get a can of ChemDry brand "stain extinguisher". It does an excellent job of removing grease and ground in tough stains.

The Griots Garage Interior Cleaner will take care of the rest.

If your carpeted mats are really bad, you can always rinse them well with a garden hose after cleaning. Carefully use a brush to remove water and then hang to dry. Re-Vacuum when damp to restore nap and then buy some clear after-market mats to protect in the future.

Also, the Green Griots Garage Interior Microfiber cleaning towels are well worth the money. Try not to use a scrub brush when possible.

Ed

 

Anything you want to know about detailing, go to www.autogeek.net. Their forums have the best detailers around and some of the best products. If you can find me a company that provides better customer service, I'll kiss the whole lot of your a$$es. Their following is almost cult-like.

Also, don't waste your money on the very high-end leather cleaners/conditioners (Leatherique and Connelly Hide Care for example) and here is why. Since the mid to late 90s, Honda, Toyota, you name 'em, impregnate their leather with urethane (aka "pleather") for ease of maintenance and durability; therefore, most leather conditioner that is not water based does virtually nothing to treat it. Modern leathers need cleaning and hydrating, not really "treatment".

Trust me on this; I have spent a tremendous amount of time coming to this conclusion.

 

That site looks great I will have to check it out.

 

Which conditioners that have water would you recommend?

 

In addition to Autogeek, head over to the Autopia forums. Many professional dealers with discussions about every detailing challenge, product, and technique.

LL

 

For this round I ended up using Lexol Leather cleaner and Lexol Leather conditioner on all the leather including parts of the doors. I followed the instruction on the site www.lexol.com which differ from the back of the bottles. I then used Vinylex on everything else. Everything came out great and the leather looks awesome.
Thanks to everyone for the suggestions and information thus far.

 

Leather Master. Here is a link to one store that sells it:

http://www.topoftheline.com/leather-care-repair.html

 

has anyone used leathermaster revitalizer here with success on our rl seats? i desperately need to soften the leather.

 

For the dash I use Aerospace 303. It seriously has an SPF factor of 45 to protect the dash from the harmful sun rays. For the leather, Zaino leather conditioner will not only condition your leather but will make it smell like new again. Any body have suggestions on cleaning windows. I have tried just about every product and towel. The glass looks good until the sun shines through and than the glass looks worst thsn before I started.

 

SPRAYWAY Glass Cleaner. Ace Hardware stores carry this (and also on their website). IMO the best glass cleaner out there.

Ed

 

I still have good success with vinegar and water even though many love fancy glass products. The secret is to add a little bit of soap to help cut through any grease or waxy residue on the window or you will have streaks. Give it a shot.....it's cheap at least. Try about 2 cups of water, 1/4 cup of white distilled vinegar, and a few drops of liquid soap or detergent in a spray bottle.

 

Thread is almost 4 years old lol whats with the newbs bringing back the dead?

 

303 x2. ArmorAll and other protectants that contain silicones No, 303 Yes.

Also great on weatherstripping.

 

+1 Aerospace 303 ROCKS. All plactic, rubbe and vinyl.....works great on tires!! Long lasting effects too.

 

You should be proud! That means the newbie used the search key instead of starting a new thread

 

exactly

 

I used Vinylex on dash. Does not leave a greasy or glossy finish. I use Lexol on leather as well.