[ryster]

Am I the only one who finds the interior trim to be entirely too delicate? I was wiping the center console by the cupholders and shifter today with water and a clean microfiber towel, and it actually left a dull mark/scratches. If I can't use water and microfiber to wipe down the interior, what am I supposed to use?

I feel like if I just touch the interior too hard it will get marred. I also find myself getting paranoid now when there are passengers in the car and their hands or feet get anywhere near the door panels, console, or floor level plastic trim. It isn't just new car syndrome either. I have had almost a dozen new cars over the past couple of decades and I find the interior plastics on this one to be very fragile.

If it gets too bad I can always buy a dash kit to cover it up, but that's crazy.

 

[Quigley21]

I just use a swiffer duster to clean my interior. Does a great job and no marks..

As far as door panel etc, I did what looked like scuff marks at first but I wiped them down with Armor All and the scuffs went away and no new ones. So the Armor All just might be what keeps it from happening...

I am sure I will have to wipe them down again some day but no big deal there....

Hope this helps you.

I am sure there are more answers out there...

 

[DonRich90]

This is the product I use for all interior hard surfaces (dash, console, doors, kick panels, seat bases, etc.) - http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+G4116
It leaves a real nice smooth natural finish and not the hard artificial shine that some other products leave. I've used it twice on my SE since Feb. and the interiior looks like it just left the factory minus dirt, smudges, smears and finger prints. TIP- spray the product on a microfiber rag and apply and then buff with a clean microfiber. Easier and neater than spraying it on the surface first.
Other then that, I just use a small California Duster to keep it clean and dust free. http://calcarduster.com/dashduster.asp

Don

 

[AccentGlowLED]

The only piece that I find to be delicate is that center console piece. Mine isn't scratched but the inside of the cupholders is already and I could see that more matte surface scratching easier. At least it isn't a VW

 

[w9nwrwi]

QUOTE (DonRich90 @ Jun 12 2010, 12:38 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=332335

This is the product I use for all interior hard surfaces (dash, console, doors, kick panels, seat bases, etc.) - http://www.meguiarsdirect.com/detail/MEG+G4116
It leaves a real nice smooth natural finish and not the hard artificial shine that some other products leave. I've used it twice on my SE since Feb. and the interiior looks like it just left the factory minus dirt, smudges, smears and finger prints. TIP- spray the product on a microfiber rag and apply and then buff with a clean microfiber. Easier and neater than spraying it on the surface first.
Other then that, I just use a small California Duster to keep it clean and dust free. http://calcarduster.com/dashduster.asp

Don

I agree that the interior plastic is a bit finicky and like DonRich I find Meguiars does very well. In my case Meguiars interior detailer (wipes or spray). Apply and then wipe off
with Microfiber, clean as a whistle. I think any harsh wiping unit other than microfiber or product mfg. for interior detailing is going to give us grief on the interior, especially the
black plastic of which I have.
I see Armour All has also been recommended, I hope it has improved over the years from the greasy slippery stuff from a few years ago. Darn near a safety hazard if
you used it on seats or a steering wheel.

Chuck

 

[snapper41]

..

I have seen allot worst and worked on more of them than I can count. I have worked on interior's the would scratch white with just your finger nail. I personally think the Sonata is not that bad.

 

[SilverNitrate]

Is there a brand that will not make the dash glossy? I went to advanced today and saw the McGuire's mentioned above, I read the back and it said don't put on areas where you do not want it to be glossy, so now I am confused. I never used anything on my old car's dash which is vinyl and it looked the same after 11 years when I got the car off the dealer the first time. Since the Sonata's dash is rubberish plastic, I'm scared to put anything on it that would make it glossy and hard. I am also afraid that after a while it will crack if I don't put something in it. I don't know what to do. I'd like to keep the car looking as fresh until the day I buy a new car which is in the next 10-15 years.

 

[Craigster]

QUOTE (SilverNitrate @ Jun 12 2010, 08:15 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=332422

Is there a brand that will not make the dash glossy? I went to advanced today and saw the McGuire's mentioned above, I read the back and it said don't put on areas where you do not want it to be glossy, so now I am confused. I never used anything on my old car's dash which is vinyl and it looked the same after 11 years when I got the car off the dealer the first time. Since the Sonata's dash is rubberish plastic, I'm scared to put anything on it that would make it glossy and hard. I am also afraid that after a while it will crack if I don't put something in it. I don't know what to do. I'd like to keep the car looking as fresh until the day I buy a new car which is in the next 10-15 years.

Give this a try, the absolute best product I have ever used. It leaves a clean, natural sheen, no gloss or grease, has a UV protectant and mold inhibitor, and smells great.
Natural Look Dressing

 

[DonRich90]

QUOTE (SilverNitrate @ Jun 12 2010, 08:15 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=332422

I went to advanced today and saw the McGuire's mentioned above, I read the back and it said don't put on areas where you do not want it to be glossy.......

I just got my spray bottle of the Meguiar's Natural Shine Protectant and read the label and see why you are confused. Like you said it reads "Not for use on surfaces where a slick or glossy finish is not desirable." All I can say is that the finish on the interiior parts in my SE feel smooth but are certainly not what I would call slick nor do they have any kind of a greasey feel. That said, I sure wouldn't use it on my motorcycle seat or rubber stair treads.
As to any kind of gloss or shine, the first time I used it I compared the part of the dash I did with the protectant with the untouched portion and saw just a nicer finish to the treated portion. Anyone not seeing the side-by-side comparison probably wouldn't notice much of a difference. It was not shiney (like some Armorall I've used) but did have a very even, cleaner and more finished look. It was a very subtle difference so I guess some might say it did leave a gloss (definately not a shine) compared to the flat original appearence. The bottle probably says it best when they refer to the finish as a "natural shine". I guess that's when you compare it to the hard, artificial shine left by some other protectants. I'm pretty particular (anal) about the appearence of my daily driver and show car and I'm totally satisfied with the results.
According to the bottle, it contains "UV blockers that defend against fading, cracking & aging" It also features Scotchgard protector. Sounds like it should be at least as good as any other product in extending the life of the plastic and rubber components.

Don

 

[w9nwrwi]

Thanks for that info Don,

I will pick up a bottle of the Natural Shine when my Interior detailer wipes run out. I had looked at the back of the bottle of Natural Shine and like SilverNitrate said it confused
me also but with your experience and explanation I think it should work out.


Chuck

 

[SilverNitrate]

QUOTE (w9nwrwi @ Jun 13 2010, 08:36 AM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=332508

Thanks for that info Don,

I will pick up a bottle of the Natural Shine when my Interior detailer wipes run out. I had looked at the back of the bottle of Natural Shine and like SilverNitrate said it confused
me also but with your experience and explanation I think it should work out.


Chuck

Please take some shots with one side being factory finish, the other with the Natural Shine. I'd like to see what it would look like before I commit.

 

[DonRich90]

QUOTE (SilverNitrate @ Jun 13 2010, 09:24 AM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=332511

Please take some shots with one side being factory finish, the other with the Natural Shine. I'd like to see what it would look like before I commit.

I seriously doubt that a photo would show any big difference - it's that subtle. Go ahead and commit and shoot $6 or $7 bucks for a bottle and try it on one of the kick panels first. I'm sure you'll be satisfied.

Don

 

[jazztrumpet216]

QUOTE (snapper41 @ Jun 12 2010, 06:01 PM) index.php?act=findpost&pid=332406

..

I have seen allot worst and worked on more of them than I can count. I have worked on interior's the would scratch white with just your finger nail. I personally think the Sonata is not that bad.

My mom's Tucson is like this- you can scratch the panels with your fingernail. It is so bad that I decided to wear gloves when I was taking her door panels off to replace the speakers- she'd notice if I scratched something up. The rest of the car has been great, but the interior trim is pretty sub-par.

 

[DonRich90]

Here's some pictures of my Garmin that were taken after treatment with the protectant. They may give ya an idea of the finish. The shine shown by the flash closeup doesn't show under natural light. The finish on the plastic on the steering wheel is closer to what it really looks like.

Don