AutoFiber Scrub Ninja - Anyone use it -long term-

[chefwong]

Remember when the Magic Erasers came out and it was being used on paint scuffs and seats...and such.....

So I have the AF Scrub Ninja's but have not used on the interior yet.
I'm planning to give it a pass on the steering wheel this weekend.

Slightly hesitant as all I use are MF's on the interior....
Might need to scuff a bit on the door panels but no so much - I generally opt for a high PH cleaner that melt's it off and a simple wipe and thorough rinse with a MF is all that is needed.

Just going to use the Scrub Ninja on my steering wheel and outer bolster to see how much -more it pulls out- that what I believe is already clean.

However....for those who have been using it - are you seeing any potential accelerated wear (smoothing of leather grain) due to it.
This is on semi-aniline leather and not coated, so the texture on the leather being discussed is mildly textured vs pigmented leather which has a (consistent pattern) to it

I'm pretty dang picky about both items being discussed, which is probably the highest wear item in a car...
I usually use like 6 MF's on a steering wheel....
And sometimes if I have extra rainy day funds, after 24 months and I still have another 24 months in a lease, I may buy a new steering wheel and just flip the other one to cover whatever losses are in it. I love the texture and super no sheen of new steering wheel and try to keep it as such, but eventually it doesn't tend to get smooth, just from use and does take on some sheen.

Leather bolsters, I do the -scoot- when getting in and out but this is just one area that it is what it is.
It does take on some sheen as well, but I don't think it's from oils but more the surface getting smoother - heh, kinda like polishing paint and how light reflects due to the flat surface.

 

[oneheadlite]

FWIW, while many have praised the scrub ninja for steering wheels, I found when I used it on my last car's wheel (admittedly with about 290k on it) I found it seemed like it was too aggressive and affected the dye. Note while it had high miles, it had no obvious wear or compromised areas like you frequently see.

Because of that the most aggressive I'll go on a steering wheel from then forward is a boars hair/horsehair brush or a microfiber towel.

I've not had any bad experiences using the scrub ninja on seats or panels though and will continue to use them there.

 

[chefwong]

FWIW, while many have praised the scrub ninja for steering wheels, I found when I used it on my last car's wheel (admittedly with about 290k on it) I found it seemed like it was too aggressive and affected the dye. Note while it had high miles, it had no obvious wear or compromised areas like you frequently see.

Because of that the most aggressive I'll go on a steering wheel from then forward is a boars hair/horsehair brush or a microfiber towel.

I've not had any bad experiences using the scrub ninja on seats or panels though and will continue to use them there.

Akin to the YMMV rule, one of the very reasons why I don't even use my Dupray steamer for cars. While very subtle, I have seen subtle color shifts on -test areas- which was enough for me to not risk it on any interior covering:textile that is within ones eyes view

 

[vaced]

my last car's wheel (admittedly with about 290k on it)

rops:

 

[Eldorado2k]

I recently bought the Scrub Ninja Mitt and have used it on a handful of vehicles but not on the steering wheels. As a matter of fact that thing’s not coming anywhere near my own interior, ever. Lol.
Yes I agree with alot of what you said regarding the cleaning of leather steering wheels and agree that a microfiber towel can get as clean as can be without being overly aggressive. I also feel that brushes are somewhat useless on the outer part of the wheel and only need brushes for the buttons on the steering wheel. I don’t need a steamer near it either.

Once I quickly realized the level of power the Scrub Ninja has compared to a melamine sponge, any further testing wasn’t necessary. IMO Scrub Ninja is good for vehicles I’m detailing for the 1st time to get the job done faster, but I’m not using it on my own vehicle when a microfiber towel and the proper leather cleaner or even diluted APC do a complete and fine job.

Give us an update after you try it.

[edit: I did use it on at least 1 steering wheel, it worked ok, but in order to really get it to contour like a towel you’d have to press harder thus making things even more aggressive. Because of that it was sort of tedious]

 

[mc2hill]

I recently bought the Scrub Ninja Mitt and have used it on a handful of vehicles but not on the steering wheels. As a matter of fact that thing’s not coming anywhere near my own interior, ever. Lol.
Yes I agree with alot of what you said regarding the cleaning of leather steering wheels and agree that a microfiber towel can get as clean as can be without being overly aggressive. I also feel that brushes are somewhat useless on the outer part of the wheel and only need brushes for the buttons on the steering wheel. I don’t need a steamer near it either.

Once I quickly realized the level of power the Scrub Ninja has compared to a melamine sponge, any further testing wasn’t necessary. IMO Scrub Ninja is good for vehicles I’m detailing for the 1st time to get the job done faster, but I’m not using it on my own vehicle when a microfiber towel and the proper leather cleaner or even diluted APC do a complete and fine job.

Give us an update after you try it.

[edit: I did use it on at least 1 steering wheel, it worked ok, but in order to really get it to contour like a towel you’d have to press harder thus making things even more aggressive. Because of that it was sort of tedious]

I agree that these are aggressive, but a time saver! I use the CarPro microfiber gloves for bad steering wheels - a little easier to use than a towel when you need some serous scrubbing!

 

[chefwong]

These last 2 response....seems like it's a hard pass on the scrub ninja

Going to have to find the previous threads on why it made me buy them ....I recall the overall consensus was this thing pulls out more dirt than when u think it's already clean with a MF with no harm to the final finish.

 

[chilly]

These last 2 response....seems like it's a hard pass on the scrub ninja

Going to have to find the previous threads on why it made me buy them ....I recall the overall consensus was this thing pulls out more dirt than when u think it's already clean with a MF with no harm to the final finish.

This was my experience with them in a nutshell, and the last time I posted that opinion I got roasted so I stopped commenting

I cleaned the steering wheel on my 2008 4Runner that had been maintained with the aforementioned cleaners and microfibers and I considered it clean

One cleaning with P&S Express at 1:1 and a Scrub Ninja turned the Scrub Ninja black as well as the damp Kirkland microfiber I used to wipe it down

People went nuts and said I was pulling dye off the leather and in retrospect I wish I had done a 50/50 or a 25/25/25/25 with other methods to prove how filthy that "clean" steering wheel really was and how it was the mechanical action of the Scrub Ninja and not the chemical that pulled out years of imbedded grime, not dye

I think I did post a picture of a white terry cloth cotton washcloth I wiped it down with after the fact using the P&S Express to show how no more black was coming off the wheel

I even went and tried it on a very hidden part of the steering wheel on my 2020 Lexus and it didn't get ANYTHING off because that wheel was pristine and there was no imbedded grime to remove, and it certainly didn't remove any dye

I cleaned the wheel on my 2017 Tacoma in Hawaii in June of 2022 when I detailed it to sell and once again it didn't remove any dye

As always, YMMV and perhaps my sampling of 3 Toyota family products is only relevant to me

There is at least one other well respected person on here that mirrored my experiences but I will let them speak for themselves

 

[VISITOR]

the type of material used on the ASN is similar to the surbuf pads that were used for paint correction back in the day when microfiber pads started to come out. they have that soft, pointy, and prickly hair like strands that gets deep into the material you are trying to clean. it's a good idea to have a few of these on hand...

 

[vaced]

"AGGRESSIVE BUT GENTLE CLEANING – The stiff nylon bristles brush away debris gently and with ease. More aggressive than a microfiber towel but more gentle than a melamine sponge."

Being more aggressive than microfiber explains how they can clean better, so for me the question is: is there something that microfiber is not cleaning that makes using this necessary.

 

[Eldorado2k]

Ok I did a quick test on a dirty steering wheel. Microfiber towel 1st, Scrub Ninja 2nd.

Here’s the condition of the steering wheel before:

Microfiber towel pulled this much dirt off.

These are the results after microfiber towel cleaning.

Scrub ninja before/dry.

After spraying plenty of APC before cleaning.

This is what it looked like after cleaning.

And this is the towel after wiping down.

And these are the results after Scrub Ninja.

This is what it looks like after giving it more than 10min. to dry/recover.

Conclusion: Man it’s kinda hard to say for sure. 1 part wants to say the Scrub Ninja was too aggressive and simply rashed up the rash and that’s where the dirt came from… But the results sort of show a cleaner rash in the end. Also notice in the after pics from the Ninja how the top of the steering wheel was rashed up whereas it wasn’t from the towel alone. I feel like it was more aggressive but on this particular steering wheel it doesn’t really matter because it’s already rashed up.

I think I need a different test panel.

 

[Eldorado2k]

The Scrub Ninja cleaned more.

 

[chefwong]

Great pics.....
Hesitating doing this on current rides that are -clean- . Just wanted to see what the futz....was all about re: the scrub ninja.
Maybe I'll try this on the back of the seat where the kiddo's kicks touch.

 

[Eldorado2k]

Great pics.....
Hesitating doing this on current rides that are -clean- . Just wanted to see what the futz....was all about re: the scrub ninja.
Maybe I'll try this on the back of the seat where the kiddo's kicks touch.

Yea, I’m not using it on the steering wheel in my Cadillac.lol.
It’s clean.

But it’s about to go to work on this Nissans interior.

 

[chefwong]

I generally don't see or ride in dirty cars.....but I cannot image for those that detail beyond one owns rides, what you encounter.

Neighbors husband was in the hospital for a few. She asked me to move his cars.
All three was filthy as F*K, and here I am thinking, okay, well if he doesn't clean it, surely she would do a wipe down, toss some trash out as she needs to ride in it too....
I totally washed my hands well after shuffling his 3 cars

 

[Eldorado2k]

I generally don't see or ride in dirty cars.....but I cannot image for those that detail beyond one owns rides, what you encounter.

Neighbors husband was in the hospital for a few. She asked me to move his cars.
All three was filthy as F*K, and here I am thinking, okay, well if he doesn't clean it, surely she would do a wipe down, toss some trash out as she needs to ride in it too....
I totally washed my hands well after shuffling his 3 cars

Yea same. Pretty much everytime someone gets in my car for the 1st time the 1st thing they say is “man your car’s clean”! Lol.

 

[DUBL0WS6]

Colorbond would help that steering wheel.

 

[chilly]

"AGGRESSIVE BUT GENTLE CLEANING – The stiff nylon bristles brush away debris gently and with ease. More aggressive than a microfiber towel but more gentle than a melamine sponge."

Being more aggressive than microfiber explains how they can clean better, so for me the question is: is there something that microfiber is not cleaning that makes using this necessary.

I get what you are saying but I tend to look at it this way

We take a microfiber towel that we trust implicitly NOT to scratch our fragile clear coat and we go after something as potentially filthy as a neglected steering wheel and we wonder why it's wont dig deep and get out the accumulated gunk that the Ninja is purposely designed to get

If you maintain your car and wipe down your wheel/seats/kick panel etc on a regular basis a microfiber may be all you ever need, but if you just give it a lick and a prayer occasionally it ends up as filthy after 175,000 miles as my 4Runner wheel did and microfiber simply won't/can't do what the Ninja can

Not being a chemist and not having access to testing and stuff I cannot categorically say that the Ninja didn't pull dye out of my wheel; therefore, I think you folks on the fence probably SHOULDN'T use one, just for your own peace of mind

I will continue to use it judiciously when I feel it is warranted on seats, plastic, leather, vinyl, whatever and if I ever feel it trashes something when used properly I will be the first to man up and tell you folks

 

[chilly]

Ok I did a quick test on a dirty steering wheel. Microfiber towel 1st, Scrub Ninja 2nd.

Here’s the condition of the steering wheel before:

Microfiber towel pulled this much dirt off.

These are the results after microfiber towel cleaning.

Scrub ninja before/dry.

After spraying plenty of APC before cleaning.

This is what it looked like after cleaning.

And this is the towel after wiping down.

And these are the results after Scrub Ninja.

This is what it looks like after giving it more than 10min. to dry/recover.

Conclusion: Man it’s kinda hard to say for sure. 1 part wants to say the Scrub Ninja was too aggressive and simply rashed up the rash and that’s where the dirt came from… But the results sort of show a cleaner rash in the end. Also notice in the after pics from the Ninja how the top of the steering wheel was rashed up whereas it wasn’t from the towel alone. I feel like it was more aggressive but on this particular steering wheel it doesn’t really matter because it’s already rashed up.

I think I need a different test panel.

The next time my daughter is over in her 2009 Subaru with a charcoal interior I am going to pull it into the garage, let it warm up, and do a multi step test using everything from a white terry cloth washcloth through the Scrub Ninja, using my 1:1 P&S express and a control APC mix and just see what happens, basically what Eldo just did but hoping the darker leather will be a better gauge for dye stripping

I will take pics and post my findings, although it may be a while before she comes this way

 

[Eldorado2k]

It’s like the Wheel Brightner of scrub pads, strength wise.

Btw when I got done wiping down that interior, using Scrub Ninja on the seats & Magic Eraser on the plastic & door panels the bucket of water looked like a mix between an extractor & chocolate milk. Lol.