Hello!! I just bought a Mercedes C300 4matic Sport and am seeking advice on the proper care and maintenance of MB Tex, their version of vinyl that looks and acts like leather. I am an experienced detailer, but have never worked on MB Tex before, so any advice is welcome. ThanksFeed back please
Care of MB Tex
- Thread starter szyp
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Mike Phillips
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- Dec 5, 2022
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Since this is your first post...
Welcome to Autogeek Online! :welcome:
Plastic technology is always changing and usually for the better. Vinyl dashes don't crack on modern cars like the way they did on cars in the 1960's and 1970's due to improvements in plastics.
Mercedes-Benz used to have a line of products under their own name made by Meguiar's and I wrote the label copy for these products. I know because I wrote the label copy. I don't remember what was in the bottle but my guess is a product by Meguiar's for vinyl, not something mysterious.
That said, some of the new surfaces in new cars don't like old care care formulas, I've seen this happen on the door panels of Nissan 350Z's and Toyota Prius interiors.
Whatever you choose, be sure to do a test spot in an inconspicuous place before spraying all over the MB Tex surfaces...
Welcome to Autogeek Online! :welcome:
Plastic technology is always changing and usually for the better. Vinyl dashes don't crack on modern cars like the way they did on cars in the 1960's and 1970's due to improvements in plastics.
Mercedes-Benz used to have a line of products under their own name made by Meguiar's and I wrote the label copy for these products. I know because I wrote the label copy. I don't remember what was in the bottle but my guess is a product by Meguiar's for vinyl, not something mysterious.
That said, some of the new surfaces in new cars don't like old care care formulas, I've seen this happen on the door panels of Nissan 350Z's and Toyota Prius interiors.
Whatever you choose, be sure to do a test spot in an inconspicuous place before spraying all over the MB Tex surfaces...
- Thread starter
- #4
Thank you for your kind replies. The owner's manual suggests, and this is not verbatim, a mild soap and water lightly applied, slightly agitated with a soft rag, and wiped with a clean damp cloth and dried. I will check the manual again to make sure I quoted it and understand it correctly. I am curious if there is a special magic potion that someone knows of that might work well, but probably the manufacturer knows best.:iagree: Again, thank you and I am happy to be a member. Eventually I will learn enough to contribute and not just take in the future.
Flash Gordon
Well-known member
- Feb 6, 2010
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When you notice it getting dirty, act immediately, don't wait 6 months before you try and clean it
After each wash you should wipe down the interior with a damp (and dry) towel
Welcome from Memphis
Mike Phillips
Active member
- Dec 5, 2022
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Considering the advances in plastic science that's a safe bet, simply wiping with water.
When I wrote this article,
How To Restore and Protect a Vinyl Top using 303 Products
I had a number of conversations with Roger Dyer at 303 Protectants and one of the things I learned from him and share in the article is the importance of not using strong cleaners on vinyl surfaces as it will degrade the top coating on vinyl.
The goal is to maintain the top coating and this will protect the underlying pigmented material.
Not sure how much that would apply to MB Tex but even if the materials are vastly different the safe approach to treating any cleaning process makes good sense.
Check out the article above just for some good background knowledge on this type of project.
One thing I like about Protectant 303 is correctly used it doesn't leave the surface greasy or oily because you wipe the product till the surface is dry. Through the wiping/drying process you create a layer of protection that won't attract dust, dirt or grime like a greasy or oily type product.
Here's an excerpt...
Mike Phillips said:The results are a like-new factory appearance that's not greasy, wet or oily
:xyxthumbs:
FUNX650
New member
- Dec 1, 2010
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I've seen 30 year old, and older, MB's with the "old/original" MB Tex embossed vinyl on interior seating areas/door cards that looked like new...It would, on occasion, outlast the rest of the vehicle!!
Didn't know that MB had a current supplier of any old/original "deadstock" MB Tex. (It would be great if yours had this!) Hopefully yours will last/hold-up as long by following the owner's manual cleaning instructions.
After such cleaning, an application of 303AP, as suggested by Mike Phillips, would be a good practice to follow.
Bob
- Thread starter
- #8
Thank you- and I clean any dirt or stains immediately if not sooner- keep a soft cloth in the door pocket for such rare occasions. I am religious about the care of my car- it's a 2008 C300 4matic Sport with 9800 miles on it that I bought about a month ago- I aim to keep this baby a long long time now that I am retired.
Flash Gordon
Well-known member
- Feb 6, 2010
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Flash Gordon
Well-known member
- Feb 6, 2010
- 11,412
- 434
I didn't realize earlier that you've been a member longer then I have. My apologies...
Hey! at least we doubled you post count in 1 thread though!
Mike Phillips
Active member
- Dec 5, 2022
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Hey! at least we doubled you post count in 1 thread though!
That's funny....
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: