1998 Lexus ES300 (Ongoing Thread)

[dannythekid]

I marked this as ongoing because I will be working on it in the evenings after work, unless I get few more hrs free on the weekend.

This is my mother's car, a 1998 Lexus ES300, with around 75,000 original miles. It was repainted about 2-3 years ago after a tree fell on it (yes, really) and smashed the rear window and package tray. Anyways, I got started on the interior/leather.

The reasoning for this detail is that my mom just recently quit smoking cold turkey after 35 years and I figured I get her car cleaned out to rid it of the smell and as a show of congrats.

On with the show!

Products used:
Meguiar's APC+ 4:1
303
Stoner's Invisible Glass
Mix of carpet brushes, toothbrush, detail brushes.

Before:

APC doin' work on the 13 years of oil and dirt in the leather

After (so far):

 

[MDetail]

1. Nice job so far, you can definitely tell that leather needed some cleaning.
2. Tell your mom congrats on quitting, especially after 35 years HUGE accomplishment.
3. What do you plan on using to remove the smoke smell from the car? A couple things I might suggest are to change the cabin filter and use 1Z Klima Clean. While these won't remove the smoke smell, they will help to refreshen the car after you are able to remove most of the smell. Maybe this is the perfect opportunity to try the DP fogging system.

Good luck with the rest of your detailing!

 

[CrownKote]

WOW Looking good man! For the smell issue I would try some of this! CarPro So2Pure Air Purifying Coating 120 ml. FREE BONUS

What are you planning on conditioning the leather with once cleaned?

 

[diablojota]

1. Nice job so far, you can definitely tell that leather needed some cleaning.
2. Tell your mom congrats on quitting, especially after 35 years HUGE accomplishment.
3. What do you plan on using to remove the smoke smell from the car? A couple things I might suggest are to change the cabin filter and use 1Z Klima Clean. While these won't remove the smoke smell, they will help to refreshen the car after you are able to remove most of the smell. Maybe this is the perfect opportunity to try the DP fogging system.

Good luck with the rest of your detailing!

I agree, the DP fogging system may be a good thing to clean out the smoke smell with the addition of the 1Z Klima Clean.

 

[dannythekid]

I have 303 to "condition" the leather, if you will, but I will probably look into something a little better specifically for leather. I have some Lexol laying around somewhere.

As far as the deodorizing goes, I was thinking of steaming the headliner, but I'll also check out the other options for the odor. Thanks all!

 

[Sunshyne]

nice work so far, I have a question

for the center console where the stereo is, would it be feasible to add a black restorer type product to bring the pop back into it? I know there is stuff for vinyl trim so why not the plastic fascias?

 

[Scarelane]

Very cool! My everyday driver is a 1997 ES300 with 160,000. Runs like new....

 

[dannythekid]

nice work so far, I have a question

for the center console where the stereo is, would it be feasible to add a black restorer type product to bring the pop back into it? I know there is stuff for vinyl trim so why not the plastic fascias?

I thought about getting into it with a Q-tip and trim stuff, but it almost looks like it's got the same patina on it from new, it's hard to tell in pics. I'm not sure how it would look shiny.

Maybe I'll hit it with a test spot. May work on it some more this weekend and I'll show you guys my other detailing project I've also been working on!