[lincoln]

I recommend using the heavy duty that come in a 2 pack and testing on an inconspicous spot. The tonneu cover in the pics was cleaned with many other vinyl-safe products (like Meguiar's Vinyl cleaner) and a scrub brush before using the "eraser". The problem was all these other cleaners were not removing the "dressing" that previous detailers had used on the car in the past (from the previous owner, my father) and the dirt was sealed in. It worked great on all the vinyl, the leather on the steering wheel, the dash,all the plastic and the one ink spot I had on the seat leather. The pics were taken before I put any new protectant on.

 

[drags1998]

HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!!! What a difference, How much elbow grease did it take? It looks GREAT!!!!!!! Now what will you put on it???

 

[SL BRABUS]

look great...... thanks for the information......

 

[msbarsi]

Hi lincoln could you pleae post a picture of the producs you used ? I think we have the same product too in Italy but under another name.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers.

 

[lincoln]

HOLY CRAP!!!!!!!!!! What a difference, How much elbow grease did it take? It looks GREAT!!!!!!! Now what will you put on it???

Don't rub too hard, just enough pressure to get the sponge to make reasonable contact with the surface. Because of the texture you have rub in different directions. I cleaned the tonneau twice but made sure to be extra gentle on the steering wheel leather.

I use 303 protectant for everything that's not leather and Lexol conditioner for the leather on the steering wheel, shift knob, and seats. I didn't do any of the seats with the eraser, except the ink spot. I didn't really intend to use it on any of the leather but accidently ran it across the top of the sterring wheel while doing the dash and saw a new looking spot, so I decided to do the whole wheel. This was, by far, the dirtiest part of the interior. I was rinsing the eraser in a bucket with about a gallon of water in it. The water had to be changed twice just to complete the steering wheel...5 times for the entire interior minus the leather seats which I only use the eraser on the small ink spot.

 

[lincoln]

Hi lincoln could you pleae post a picture of the producs you used ? I think we have the same product too in Italy but under another name.

Thanks in advance.

Cheers.

The product out of the box can be seen in the right side of the first pic I posted originally. It's the bright white, wavy looking sponge. For a product pic see

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Extra Power: Extra Power to cut through even tough soils

 

[ErikFinn]

The product out of the box can be seen in the right side of the first pic I posted originally. It's the bright white, wavy looking sponge. For a product pic see

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Extra Power: Extra Power to cut through even tough soils

It didn't do any damage to your leather or vinyl?

 

[lincoln]

It didn't do any damage to your leather or vinyl?

None at all, but the leather and vinyl in my car in better then average for a 10 year old, 90K mile vehicle (it's spent most of it's life parked in a garage, my dad has garage parking at home and office...I leave it in the garage most of the time and only drive it in nice weather). I would be wary of using it on the leather but vinyl is tough stuff. This is not something I would use often (it is a mild abrasive) but more for that one or twice/year intensive cleaning. It's a good product to use to remove years of filth that is sealed in by protectants b/c the surface was not properly cleaned before application...this gives you a clean base to start over with protectants.

The tonneau on the cars with light interiors seems to get the worst of it. Try wiping it down to remove dust and dirt and then driving for a day, then wipe it down with damp white cloth and you will see just how much dirt accumulates there during normal top-down use.

The reason I decided to try it was that I saw it on one of the trusted detail supply vendors websites (not sure which but it might have been properautocare) repackaged and more expensive...but I recognized what it was b/c I use these at home frequently to remove scuffs on my flat painted walls and some of the grundgy stuff that accumulates on the edge of my shower and the nearby painted trim. You are not supposed to use these on stainless steel but I use it on my kitchen sink b/c it takes hard water deposits off faster then anything I've ever used. We have very hard water here and I don't own the sink So far it's not damaged the sink at all.

BTW: If you plan to do the tonneau, roll bar, seat backs, visors, windshield header, parts of the door panels, etc...plan on buying more then 1 two pack. These things, even the heavy duty ones, are not durable and really get torn up by the stitching and the texture of the vinyl.

 

[Tech-Tune]

That is an incredible job youve done on your interior.
I'm gonna have to go out and get the magic eraser and do mine right now!
Also, thanks for providing the pictures.

 

[lincoln]

That is an incredible job youve done on your interior.
I'm gonna have to go out and get the magic eraser and do mine right now!
Also, thanks for providing the pictures.

Thank you. The car was very well maintained by my dad but it was not quite perfect and up to my personal standards. I've had the car almost 18 months and I've been fixing the minor issues and finding stuff to clean on it, ever since. I felt like it was very clean before the eraser (as I've literally toothbrush cleaned every inch of the interior more then once). I have a list of people waiting to buy it from me if I ever sell it...but the eraser really brought the interior back to new looking. It's worth tearing up a few to really get the stitching clean. If it wasn't for a few chips in the paint (no dents, I had them all removed) and a bit of wear on the drivers seat it would be nearly perfect.

I find it satisfying to spend a little time and money on this car and keep making it better. The no payment part makes fixing it less painful. I've spent thousands on it since I got it (repairs and other less necessary stuff) but for what I paid plus all I've spent I still have not reached the dollar amount I was going to put down on a 911 cab.

 

[jkmarsh]

I use the ME to clean my speaker grill covers on the front doors where I have a bad habit of kicking it.

I also use them to clean out my rims after washing.

 

[msbarsi]

Hi people the Mr Clean thing is the same we have in Italy under the name of Mastro Lindo.
Guess what: a friend of a friend of mine who runs an interior cleaning shop or something like that gave this hint: they use an industrial sponge Mr Clean like slightly wetted with water to clean leather interior and seats and for the job they charge up to 70 Euros.

Go Mr Clean I say then eheheh.

Hope this helps.

Cheers.

 

[scottejupiter]

Think I'll try Magic Eraser on the vinyl trim.

 

[WarrenC]

An old topic, but I use them all the time. Just be careful, they are abrasive and can do damage if you use them too aggressively. Just take your time, keep it clean and check your results from time to time.
They will get off stains and ground in dirt where nothing else works, though.

 

[scottejupiter]

So if you strip off a small layer of old vinyl, will it be brighter/darker underneath? I have a few areas that aren't stained but they are somewhat faded by the sun.

 

[826363]

Be careful with it, Not for use on surfaced Dyed Leather

Ask me how I know, I have a white Natuzzi leather sectional ($5,000.00), Granson marked it with Ink pen. Grabbed one of these from under the sink and instantly took off the White dye and down to raw leather. I am very very careful of using it any more. My neighbor works for P&G who created it and he says that the secret material in it works because of the abrasive properties.

It does a wonderful job , but be careful and test first.

Mike

 

[WarrenC]

The name "Magic" should be interpreted as "amazing" or "really good!". If it were really magical, it could bring back the color of your faded vinyl
I'd probably use them a lot more if they did!

 

[scottejupiter]

I wasn't going to use it on the leather seats. But the color on the vinyl should be throughout the material. Was hoping that taking off the top layer would brighten it up. Yes I'm sure that's too much to hope for Warren.

 

[scottejupiter]

I bought some Magic Erasers at the grocery store and I'll try it out on Sunday.

Also bought some 303 Aerospace Protectant online that I'll apply next weekend. I hear it's great stuff.

 

[WarrenC]

Yes, both great products! I use the magic eraser on my tan leather in my Silverado since nothing else will get the blue jean stains out as well as it does. You just have to use it sparingly. You will see dirt build up on the white side (the abrasive side) quickly. Keep a bucket handy and keep rinsing it out. I use a paper towel to wipe down the areas I've done. It will look dull when you dry it. Try it on your vinyl, but be gentle the first time you use it. Use the 303 when you're done and it will look almost new.
I wouldn't aim to take a layer off, though. It's kind of like using a rubbing compound on your paint; a little goes a long ways and will bring back the shine. Too much will take your paint off!