Thread: Recommend a good dash vinyl cleaner?

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I was replacing some old screws in the dash of my 71' Lincoln with new stainless ones, and in between I was using some generic car cleaning wipes on my dashboard. It is made of what looks to be a hard black vinyl. Since I was sitting in the passenger seat, I only scrubbed that side. The wipes took up years of brownish dirt, but there are what appears to be grease stains on the vinyl from probably hamburgers and fries. The cleaning I did also made the vinyl very light and chalky looking as compared to the untouched side. I need a recommendation for a good deep vinyl cleaner to get more grime, grease, and stains out, but also hopefully one that won't leave the surface so dry and faded. I also need a good protectorant as well for after the cleaning, to restore color and luster to the black vinyl. Any ideas? Thank you in advance.

I'm bumping so that I can get some answers. Thanks.

What do you think about using 409 household cleaning fluid Denny? It's a tough degreaser, but has no grit. I've used it on tire rubber before and it works great at removing dirt, and without discoloration. The reason I ask is that I don't want to make a costly mistake with my dash that will look horrible till it gets fixed.

Plexus for everything plastic. 303 also makes a plastic cleaner/protector. It offers better UV protection and isn't greasy like Armorall. Both can be used on clear plastic as well. The 303 is available at most marine stores, Plexus can be bought at most motorcycle, marine, and aviation related stores.

303 is a very good product and doesn't attract dirt like Armorall, like GMC said.

Don

Thanks everyone.

you can try 3m adhesive cleaner on a small portion of it. see it gets it out with out discoloration. then STP sun of a gun is a very good protectant also NOT armour all ! ever ! 303 is a very good product also.

VHT makes a vinyl prep that is supposed to be used before using their vinyl dye, it is basically just a cleaner that pushes all the dirt out of the pores of the vinyl. might give that a try.... you can get it from summit.

Meguiars #39 vinyl and rubber cleaner.
www.meguiars.com

Thank you for all the advice.

Mink oil works great, puts oils back , revives colors,found out by accident how well it works . If you put on faded vinyl will help restore color if you let sit a few days. Most tack and horse supply places will carry. ALWAYS use least caustic cleaners firt, once you screw up you cant go back.