:: Interior Detailing ::

CM8 6MT · Dec 29, 2013

Whats up guys, CM8 6MT here with another write up. This time ill be focusing on Interior Detailing. Many of us get caught up on how the paint looks, while neglecting the importance of how a car's interior looks as well.

Now those of you that knew me before I joined the Army and gone for the last 7 months, knew that Meguiar's was a big part of my detailing career. However, calling me a Mothers fan would be an understatement, I'm a HUGE mothers fan...clearly.

I'll be using 2 products from Mothers that work very well when it comes to interiors. Mothers Protectant & Mothers VLR.

Modern Automotive Interiors
Today's automotive interiors feature a mixture of different types of upholstery, vinyl, plastics, & leather. Incorporate electronics into that mix, and you find yourself with quite an interior to maintain. Fortunately, Mothers has you covered.

Cleaning Your Interior
Before you start applying dressings, its important to start with a clean interior. This is where you separate the pros from the newbies. Attention to "detail" is essential here. Clean off all dirt, dust & debris from every nook & cranny you can reach, and the ones you CANT reach as well. In the pictures below, I dusted off the interior starting with an MF towel & followed up with a series of brushes and detailing cotton swabs.

Attention To Detail
Going as far as cleaning the hard to reach A/C vents & other hard to reach places will set you apart as a detailer. There are more areas you should clean, these are just some examples. You'd be surprised where dust & dirt can find its way in.

Applying Dressing
Whats the best dressing? That's almost as redundant as asking whats the best wax/polish, which happens on this forum almost weekly. When my car was brand new, my interior trim & dashboard didn't look all shiny and greasy. So why would I apply something that will alter the original look of the car? I don't know about you guys, but I don't shine things that didn't have a shine to them to begin with. (i.e tires). In my 2005 Accord V6 EX-L, I have a series of plastics, vinyls & leathers. This is very much true especially on my door panel, where I have all 3 very close to each other. So the real question is, which products can I use on which materials to achieve the best look possible?

Mothers VLR
In the pictures below, I used Mothers VLR to clean my leather, protecting it while giving it a rich dark sheen that it had when it was new. I also use it to clean my dash & other plastic trim. VLR stands for Vinyl, Leather & Rubber. Its the perfect all purpose interior cleaner, with a rich consistency & light leather scent. Below are some before & afters.

Mothers Protectant
Once you have thoroughly cleaned your interior, its now time to protect that trim from damaging UV rays while keeping it looking new. There's many products out on the market that leave your trim all greasy looking. Quite frankly. some folks love that look. Personally, I hate it. Mothers Protectant gives you a darkened stock look with a notch above in sheen than VLR offers. It has a very pleasant berry/cherry scent that isn't overwhelming and leaves your car smelling FRESH. While its durability is about 30 days, its not as lasting as something like Meguiar's Ultimate Protectant, which lasts twice as long and darkens your trim a bit more. Thats not to say either product is better than the other. For more neglected vehicles, I would go with the Meguiars UP for sure, for newer cars or cars with great interiors, Mothers Protectant is my go to choice. This goes to show that every great product has its place, there is no one product fits all. Below are some snapshots.

Additional Product Views

Last Words
Guys, there is nothing more satisfying than driving a clean car, especially when its clean on the inside and looks like it came out of the lot. Next time your shopping around on AutoGeek, trust in these two products to help your interior look in top shape. Its a great feeling getting complimented on how nice your car is when someone gets in your car for the first time.

Caleb@ImpeccableImage · Dec 29, 2013

Awesome and in depth review as always. Two very nice and often overlooked products that you can get otc.

wlshephard · Dec 29, 2013

Nice post thanks

Whats the best dressing? That's almost as redundant as asking whats the best wax/polish, which happens on this forum almost weekly.

:iagree:

When my car was brand new, my interior trim & dashboard didn't look all shiny and greasy. So why would I apply something that will alter the original look of the car/
I don't know about you guys, but I don't shine things that didn't have a shine to them to begin with. (i.e tires). In my 2005 Accord V6 EX-L, I have a series of plastics, vinyls & leathers

:iagree::iagree:

Pureshine · Dec 29, 2013

Good to see you post again

great review

Slimsadie · Dec 29, 2013

Great review. I was looking at the new mothers products the other day. Will be picking these up this week.

Mike@DedicatedPerfection · Dec 30, 2013

Great review Aaron! Glad to see you posting again. I see you haven't lost your touch.

How is Army life?

Paul Mitchell · Dec 30, 2013

Excellent review. Mother's products are often overlooked.

The Guz · Dec 30, 2013

Nice review. I have mother's VLR and like it. I will have to give the protectant a shot after seeing your review.

Radarryan · Dec 30, 2013

Great review, steps, product showcase, and pictures! No doubt you have turned quite a few people on to Mother's products that may have overlooked them in the past. Thanks for the post!

Father87 · Dec 30, 2013

Hey AG staff, I'm soon to buy the set of brushes from Mothers. I'd like those interior ones posted here too to match

Bunky · Dec 30, 2013

Great review. Mothers VLR is a very nice product. It has a very delicate leather scent that lasts a day or so.

SON1C · Dec 30, 2013

PapaSmurf said:
Awesome and in depth review as always. Two very nice and often overlooked products that you can get otc.

My thoughts exactly

Glad to see you back in action Aaron !

vet · Dec 30, 2013

Thanks for your service!

I'll have to try the Mothers protectant. I like the VLR.

Garducio · Dec 30, 2013

I've been using mothers for a while. i have all of their products. i really liked mothers and they are a great product. But i really wanted to try something different and went with blackfire.

CM8 6MT · Dec 30, 2013

PapaSmurf said:
Awesome and in depth review as always. Two very nice and often overlooked products that you can get otc.

Indeed, thanks for checking it out.

wlshephard said:
Nice post thanks

Thank you!

Pureshine said:
Good to see you post again great review

Thanks dude!, glad to see the orignal members are still here.

Slimsadie said:
Great review. I was looking at the new mothers products the other day. Will be picking these up this week.

Thank you & you wont be dissapointed.

smack said:
Great review Aaron! Glad to see you posting again. I see you haven't lost your touch.

How is Army life?

Hey marc! Army life is well, Army life. Very demanding physically & mentally. I wouldn't trade it for anything though. Cuts alot of my free time (detailing), but I wouldnt want it any other way. Hooah!!!

Paul Mitchell said:
Excellent review. Mother's products are often overlooked.

Thank you & yes they are definitely overlooked.

The Guz said:
Nice review. I have mother's VLR and like it. I will have to give the protectant a shot after seeing your review.

Glad to see another user of VLR, thanks for viewing!

Radarryan said:
Great review, steps, product showcase, and pictures! No doubt you have turned quite a few people on to Mother's products that may have overlooked them in the past. Thanks for the post!

Thank you for the comments! Indeed, I try to showcase how well Mothers products work, even though everyone knows Im a die hard Meguiar's fan. I like to showcase great products, regardless of who makes them.

Father87 said:
Hey AG staff, I'm soon to buy the set of brushes from Mothers. I'd like those interior ones posted here too to match

AG Staff? Sorry those brushes are not a Mothers brand, they are from a different carrier.

Bunky said:
Great review. Mothers VLR is a very nice product. It has a very delicate leather scent that lasts a day or so.

I agree, thanks for viewing!

SON1C said:
My thoughts exactly

Glad to see you back in action Aaron !

I try man, I try lol.

vet said:
Thanks for your service!

I'll have to try the Mothers protectant. I like the VLR.

Give it a shot, it wont dissapoint easy.

Garducio said:
I've been using mothers for a while. i have all of their products. i really liked mothers and they are a great product. But i really wanted to try something different and went with blackfire.

I agree & like every great detailer out there, you will always have different brands in your arsenal. Its not the brand you use that makes you great, its how you use them. Thanks for viewing!

Caleb@ImpeccableImage · Dec 30, 2013

What brushes are those that your using? I thought they were Mothers too haha.

CM8 6MT · Dec 30, 2013

PapaSmurf said:
What brushes are those that your using? I thought they were Mothers too haha.

There from a brand called Black Magic, about the only good product they make IMO. I got them while I was still working for AutoZone, god I miss my 25% discount on the Meguiars Pro line

. I dont think they carry them anymore, if I find another set I'm buying another one. Surprisingly their really nice and work well.

The Guz · Jan 8, 2014

I saw these at pep boys the other day. They look similar to the brushes you have and may work just as good. They are from carrand.

CM8 6MT · Jan 11, 2014

The Guz said:
I saw these at pep boys the other day. They look similar to the brushes you have and may work just as good. They are from carrand.

They look very similar indeed. LoL even the same packaging set up! Probably the same tips/brushes, just changed the plastic handle & stamped their brand on it.

Gen9Rolla · Jan 11, 2014

Love using VLR, will have to try out the Protectant too!

:: Interior Detailing ::

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