Rubber and dash preservative

[GT-Freak]

We've all seen it, that nasty hard to remove human dirt on arm rests, steering wheels and anywhere else people touch their car repeatedly for many years.

I want the best solution for removing it. I've tried every pre-made bottle concoction for cleaning and some homemade remedy. The best thing I have found is Old English Lemon Oil (yes, the stuff used on furniture) and elbow grease (had to make a pun). But it must be removed with another water-soluble cleaner after it dissolves the grime. It also takes the grease off range hoods and control panels.

Any good suggestions? (Preferably non-flammable)

Thanks,
Bill

[jeff denton]

My favorite for years is Super Clean by Castrol. Gets the filthiest boats absolutely super clean. Dilute it slightly and scrub it in with a brush, I think you'll be impressed.

[greensmurf20]

i can also vouch for super clean, best of all......bio-degradble and nonflamable. grandma even used to put a small amount in the wash to get the fuel oil and smell outta grandpas work clothes. (he was a tanker driver)

[nobody]

Harbor freight sells something for thier solvent tanks that will take the white off of rice. It's cheap but dilute it otherwise it gives you a funny feeling in your hands......it's non flamable and full stregth will take the paint off a kitchen hood. not that I've been there done that or anything.

[baz]

Originally Posted by GT-Freak I want the best solution for removing it. I've tried every pre-made bottle concoction for cleaning and some homemade remedy. The best thing I have found is Old English Lemon Oil (yes, the stuff used on furniture) and elbow grease (had to make a pun). Thanks, Bill

[v6transplant]

I've used Simple Green.

[jeff denton]

BAZ knowing you I must assume your product is a joke. I think I know better, you can't make grease come out of a spray bottle. But then, as you're in England, it just may be for real... Where else could you be driving down the street and see a candy store named the "Eat Me Confectionary"? I had to slam on the brakes and get a photo of that one...

[greensmurf20]

switching up baz's quote a little bit...."ahhh, only in england" lol

[GT-Freak]

Now I know that both Old English Lemon Oil and Elbow Grease both come from England! Thanks Baz

Thanks to others also...

[RallyBob]

I mix a bit of Orange Clean with a bit of diluted Marine Clean and it takes off all the interior 'scum' quite easily. I 'rinse' with a damp rag afterwards.

Bob

[namba209]

My favorite cleaner, bar none, is POR-15 "Marine Clean". Water soluble, can be diluted 16-1 and still work great. Used full strength, it will dissolve the oil in your skin and take the skin with it, don't ask. Used it on the GT full strength, sprayed it on, used the K'Archer vapor blaster and everything is spotless. It is organic and inorganic based, whatever that means, but it works, better and faster than anything else I've tried.

[baz]

as far as i know it a real product
a friend on another car site (sorry i do use other sites i know its sacrilegious)
and he used it in a jet wash to clean his engine and wondered why it would not run (water down the plug recesses) did clean the engine nice though

[GT-Freak]

I checked Simple Green and Super Clean (Castrol) side by side. Mostly because I didn't want to drive back to the store if the one I selected did poorly. Anyway, Super Clean did a better job, probably more concentrated. I did use the Simple Green to clean other items yesterday, but those weren't as greasy.

[netandtim]

I just use regular soap and then pass out long sleave shirts to all the passengers. oh wait, I think I'm looking at the problem backwards.
sorry
tim

[BDD]

Common dishawashing detergent is not much of a pollution risk, is not harsh on most materials and is formulated to dissolve oil and proteins. Since we are mostly composed of water and proteins I guess it would do a good job of removing whatever we leave behind.

[soybean]

Has anyone tried "Goo Gone" ? I've used it with good success to remove gum, grease, etc. from household items. Kids you know Jarrell

[scrapman]

While thinking about waxes, what about a good product that has proven to reduce deterioration of expensive dash boards and rubber window gaskets and trim? There is a lot of stuff on the market, some good, some bad. Anyone found something that seems to prevent drying out and cracking?

Rick

[Wolf Spyder]

I use AP 303. Check out this site. http://www.303warehouse.com/

[asdasc]

What about good old fashioned ArmorAll? That is what I have always used on my first GT's. I haven't put any on this one yet. It came fairly clean and shiny and I keep it in the garage, and I have soooo many other things to work on....

[neuttron]

For the interiors I use a plastic/vinyl cleaner from Einzett (1Z) "Plastik-Reiniger".

After its clean, I aplly a protectant, "Tiefenpfleger" and in sealing rubers "Gummi Pflege".

http://www.1z-usa.com/sys-tmpl/storefront/

[Wolf Spyder]

Originally Posted by asdasc What about good old fashioned ArmorAll? That is what I have always used on my first GT's. I haven't put any on this one yet. It came fairly clean and shiny and I keep it in the garage, and I have soooo many other things to work on....

Tends to leave a film.

[jordan]

Originally Posted by Wolf Spyder Tends to leave a film.

Not only can it leave a film, I've heard it can also break down viynal, plastic, and leather even faster.

[PROPEL]

Originally Posted by jordan Not only can it leave a film, I've heard it can also break down viynal, plastic, and leather even faster.

Don't use anything with petroleum distillates.

[jordan]

Originally Posted by PROPEL Don't use anything with petroleum distillates.

What does it actually do to damage the surface it's put on, I couldn't find anything on the topic on that 'interweb' thing.

[PROPEL]

There appears to be some debate on the topic, but two chemists have told me that petroleum distillates can break down certain kinds of rubber and plastic. The same thing was told to me by a tire dealer after he replaced a set of tires which had dryrotted sidewalls. He correctly guessed that I'd used Armor-All on them and also mentioned the petroleum distillates breaking down rubber. That's enough hearsay to prevent me from taking any more chances. I use wax-based preservatives now.