[Bownse]

Don't know if this is technically "technical" but I can confirm earlier suppositions about how to treat the interior of the 08 STi.

Mothers Back to Black. Unlike Armor All (which leaches the [what the heck is that stuff called... "oils"] to the surface of the plastic to create a "shine"), BtB is a conditioner that penetrates and conditions plastics and vinyls.

After years of showing bikes and cars, I have seen what AA can do to a vehicle once it's been used and then use stops. You can end up with plastic that looks like it's had acid poured on it. When you apply AA you can see it's topical and rubs off as it comes in contact with hands, etc.

Mothers BtB doesn't work the same way. It's absorbed by plastic and vinyl to help recondition it and keep it from oxydizing, fading and cracking.

When used on the STi interior all the light colored scuffs that had shown up since driving off the lot went away and within an hour of application it had been absorbed so that it didn't leave the seat trim slippery. I had a 6" line on the glove box that looked like someone had dragged the edge of something sharp across it. After applying the BtB I can't see or feel it any more; and none of these "places" comes back the next day or so after the treatment "dries" like it would with AA or Son Of A Gun (SoaG is bad about yellowing).

Doing all the trim throughout the 5 door hot hatch took all of about 10 or 15 minutes. If doing it as part of a regular wash and clean, I'd do it after the wash and the vacuuming but before cleaning the windows in case your rag drags across a corner of a window.

[neptunian588]

cool, thanks for the info

[Josh@EpicSpeed]

I prefer Meguire's Interior Quick Detailer. It cleans the plastics and leaves them perfectly fresh and clean without adding any shine or oily residue. I haven't tried Back To Black on the STI, but I've used it in the past and I think that the interior quick detailer is probably a better product for the STI. Try it out if you haven't. They have it in wipes, but I like the spray bottle more myself.

[Bownse]

I like a lot of the other Meguire's stuff, so will have to try it out. Thanks. Just bought a new bottle of BtB so it will be a bit before I use it all up. Maybe a bag of their wipes to try on my wife's 03 Wrecks.

In fact, I have the quick detailer (exterior) that I've been using it for a long time pre-show for when I was doing a lot of show-and-shine some years back. Great for a quick touch up after a ride-in show (these people who trailer to places don't make sense).

Just be sure to use a deep-pile terry cloth, move to clean spots on the cloth often and swap cloths frequently. Dragging a dirty rag over your paint ain't good. Also, always wipe in one direction (never do the "wax on/wax off" thing because that's what causes swirls in your paint).

if you can, flush the surface to be cleaned with water to rinse off any dirt or dust before detailing. Every bit of grit you can keep from between your cloth and you paint is a good thing.

[Josh@EpicSpeed]

If you like the old Quick Detailer, be sure to also try out the new Ultimate Quick Detailer. It has their new hydrophobic properties and is quite good.

[pisymbol]

Crap I used the AA wipes my girl gave me which worked great!

I love Mothers and I think I will pick this up. They have a plastic cleaner other than BtB, I forgot what its called.

[chaos311clarity]

Armor all is greasy.. aka garbage... and i dont think back to black is the right product to use on the interior.


Try something that is made specifically for interiors.

I use Poorboy's Natural Look... works fantastic.

[RFFG]

Thanks for the info...

[Bownse]

I looked up Poorboy's. Looks worth a try. However, I disagree with the ad copy about it's use for leather. I've found that the best product for leather is Lexol. Excellent stuff and after years of using it on leather exposed to all kinds of harsh weather, the items still look great. Then, some time later, Motorcycle Consumer News (ad free consumer mag) did an evaluation of all kinds of leather care stuff and came away equally convinced that Lexol was the dog's dangles. All these years later I still use their cleaner and conditioner products.

Here's their multi-part article. Of special interest is their discussion on what makes a good leather care product and how you want to avoid clogging the pours.

http://www.mcnews.com/mcnews/article...art1_Jan04.pdf
http://www.mcnews.com/mcnews/article...art2_Jan04.pdf
http://www.mcnews.com/mcnews/article...art3_Jan04.pdf
http://www.mcnews.com/mcnews/article...art4_Jan04.pdf

[chaos311clarity]

there isnt one clear cut best... there are ALOT of good products out there.

[Bownse]

True. The thing to keep in mind are the issues discussed about something that allows the leather to breath and replaces lost oils. Some replace oils but at the cost of loading the pours, some "coat" without replacing lost oils, etc.

[Brand]

+1 for Meguiar's Quik Detail spray. Used it today and 5000 miles later the interior looks as good as the day I drove it home.

[BuzSTid]

Originally Posted by Brand

+1 for Meguiar's Quik Detail spray. Used it today and 5000 miles later the interior looks as good as the day I drove it home.

5000 miles in one day, wow thats hard core

[Bownse]

+1. the most i've done is 1611 miles in 23h and 15m.

[Digitalfiend]

I use 303 Aerospace Protectant. Doesn't leave a greasy film, easy to apply, no smell, and lasts a long time. You can also use it on your exterior trim pieces and tire sidewalls. It is a fantastic product.