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BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum > E90 / E92 / E93 3-series Technical Forums > Wash, Wax, Detailing and Cosmetic protection/repairs > Products to clean various material surfaces in interior



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      03-24-2007, 09:51 PM   #1
panzer948
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Products to clean various material surfaces in interior

I am overwhelmed by the amount of different materials in my E92 with premium package & aluminum trim. I want to start out taking care of it right, so I am ordering 303 aerospace for the dash and clear plastic panels (think it is okay for this) and will be ordering the zaino Z9 and Z10 for leather conditioner/protectant. But what about the soft material along the doors? Is that leather or soft vinyl? Just trying to figure out if I should treat it like leather or not. If not, then the 303 should be safe for treating/cleaning it.

What are people using on the Aluminum?
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      03-24-2007, 10:03 PM   #2
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Quote:
Originally Posted by panzer948 View Post
I am overwhelmed by the amount of different materials in my E92 with premium package & aluminum trim. I want to start out taking care of it right, so I am ordering 303 aerospace for the dash and clear plastic panels (think it is okay for this) and will be ordering the zaino Z9 and Z10 for leather conditioner/protectant. But what about the soft material along the doors? Is that leather or soft vinyl? Just trying to figure out if I should treat it like leather or not. If not, then the 303 should be safe for treating/cleaning it.

What are people using on the Aluminum?
I have wood trim, so I'm not sure exactly what to use on your aluminum, but it looks like you've got the right products to take care of your interior. Z9 and Z10 are fantastic products. They're easy to use (just don't use too much) and don't make your leather slippery or shiny. Also the leather fragrance in Z10 really keeps your interior smelling new.

303 is also a great choice for the plastics, as it has UV protection and keeps the dash a nice matte finish. On my car, I treat the soft panels on the door with Z9/Z10 and the rest with 303.
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      03-25-2007, 06:04 PM   #3
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Great advice. That's what I thought about the soft panels.

Thanks,
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      03-25-2007, 06:15 PM   #4
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Quote:
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so I am ordering 303 aerospace for the dash and clear plastic panels
isnt your dash leather?
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      03-25-2007, 06:29 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Roowah View Post


I have wood trim, so I'm not sure exactly what to use on your aluminum, but it looks like you've got the right products to take care of your interior. Z9 and Z10 are fantastic products. They're easy to use (just don't use too much) and don't make your leather slippery or shiny. Also the leather fragrance in Z10 really keeps your interior smelling new.

303 is also a great choice for the plastics, as it has UV protection and keeps the dash a nice matte finish. On my car, I treat the soft panels on the door with Z9/Z10 and the rest with 303.
What do you clean the wood finish with?
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      03-25-2007, 07:19 PM   #6
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isnt your dash leather?
Not sure, if someone can indicate what pieces or what, it would be greatly appreciated.
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      03-25-2007, 08:37 PM   #7
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I used the Z10 on basically everything on the inside except for the wood trim and then aluminum on the shift nob. Works great.

Not sure what to use on the aluminum... maybe some sort of stainless cleaner??
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      03-25-2007, 08:44 PM   #8
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On the aluminum, I just use a damp cotton cloth.. Looks like you have everything else figured out well..
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      03-25-2007, 10:11 PM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by panzer948 View Post
Not sure, if someone can indicate what pieces or what, it would be greatly appreciated.
im pretty sure all the surfaces that dont make a noise when u scratch them (if that makes sense) are leather (or atleast leatherette) theres actually very little plastic in the car (what the aerospace 303 is for i believe)

not sure if the parts in the car that arent padded (like the dash, the center arm rest) are leather when u get the premium pack or not, but i know the seats and the padded parts of the door are leather with it

i wouldnt risk using weird cleaners on the parts that may or may not be leather though
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      03-26-2007, 12:15 AM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by batlin View Post
What do you clean the wood finish with?
I actually just use 303 on it. I make sure I gently dust it first, then after spraying some 303 on a soft cloth, wipe the surface. After waiting a few minutes, I buff it off which leaves it smooth and a bit slick, which seems to make a a bit more resistant to scratches. I've heard of people using a non-abrasive auto polish on it, but I've never tried it myself, so I won't personally recommend it.

As for the question about whether the dash is leather, I'm fairly certain that on leather equipped cars, the seats and possibly the soft door panels and arm rests are leather, but all other panels including the dash are some sort of soft plastic.
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      03-26-2007, 12:29 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Roowah View Post

As for the question about whether the dash is leather, I'm fairly certain that on leather equipped cars, the seats and possibly the soft door panels and arm rests are leather, but all other panels including the dash are some sort of soft plastic.
the dash is definatly not plastic, it might be something synthetic, but its not plastic

well given that plastic is a HUGE blanket term and even encompases letherette, but you get my point
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      03-26-2007, 04:57 PM   #12
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Thanks for all the input. But I do think some parts are plastic. For example, along the lower portion of the door, I am getting scratches from where my shoe scuffs it getting in and out. I've tried to fix it but have been unsucsesful. That piece is likely plastic I would think.
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      03-26-2007, 05:02 PM   #13
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For what it's worth, 303 is safe on almost every surface; the only one I don't use it on are leather (Z9/Z10) and the clear gauge plastic, which I just clean with a little quick detailer. If you want a slightly darker, less matte look; you can dress with something like poorboys natural look; but most people prefer the 303 look.

Oh, afaik the dash is vinyl, like leatherette.
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      03-26-2007, 05:04 PM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 335inSC View Post
I used the Z10 on basically everything on the inside except for the wood trim and then aluminum on the shift nob. Works great.

Not sure what to use on the aluminum... maybe some sort of stainless cleaner??
I've used a little Windex on my aluminum trim, with no ill effects so far.
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      03-26-2007, 05:08 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dmboone25 View Post
I've used a little Windex on my aluminum trim, with no ill effects so far.
Just FYI, Windex contains ammonia, which will cloud clear plastic clear-coats, such as might exist on the wood trim-- don't know about the aluminum. Windex should really just be used for clear glass, as the ammonia can do a number on polyurethanes, plexiglass, and basically any plastic.

You probably haven't done any damage, but just to be on the safe side, I would discontinue its use on the interior of your car, especially if you have any tinted windows.

For the aluminum trim, mild soap and water probably work fine, simple green, or any non-ammonia cleaners.
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      03-26-2007, 05:10 PM   #16
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Car safe windex is ok, but as lkraven mentioned; the stuff for windows is not good news in a car.

If you guys want something quick, easy, safe, looks good, can clean, works on almost all surfaces, locally available and cheap; Meguairs Quick Interior Detailer is pretty great, and it's about $9.99.
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      03-26-2007, 06:59 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by teknochild View Post
the dash is definatly not plastic, it might be something synthetic, but its not plastic

well given that plastic is a HUGE blanket term and even encompases letherette, but you get my point
I'll agree with that! I purposely used "plastic" as a general term for whatever synthetic material it's made of. The one thing I am sure of is it's not leather. I know there are some high end vehicles (maybe some BMW's) where you can order a full leather interior which would cover almost every surface including the dash. It's not an inexpensive option, that's for sure.
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      03-26-2007, 07:29 PM   #18
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Picus... is my E92 steering wheel leather wrapped? Also, what should I use to clean it but not make it slippery:rocks:
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      03-26-2007, 08:27 PM   #19
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I also use Meguiars on the whole interior except the leather. It even works great on the nav screen. On the wood I use guardsman polish. I use the guardsman on my Thiel speakers.
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      03-29-2007, 07:13 PM   #20
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So the Megauiars and 303 are to be used for the dash and other parts of the interior but not the leather?

Is Z9/Z10 the best to use for the leather? Any other recommendations?
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      04-22-2007, 07:49 PM   #21
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Does the Zaino leather cleaner work just as well on the leatherette?
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      04-22-2007, 08:16 PM   #22
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Yes, but you can use pretty much anything to clean letherette if you want to save some $. Diluted car safe all purpose cleaners work fine.
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