One product, complete interior clean - APC?

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613carguy

New member
Apr 2, 2018
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I'd like to get your opinions on using an APC to clean interiors. Vinyl, leather, plastic, upholstery, carpets, rubber, basically everything except the glass. Is it possible to use different dilutions of an APC to clean everything? I've read a bunch of threads that have differing advice. Some say it's fine on most surfaces, some say APC has no place in the interior.

I'm thinking 1:5 for dirty carpets and mats, 1:10 for plastic and rubber, 1:20 for leather and light maintenance everywhere.

I'm looking to maintain a 2013 BMW that I just bought (not too dirty) and deep clean then maintain the family van (kids are pigs).

Thoughts?

Graham
 
I mean you can,
I personally don't, Cloth is suppose to be left in a PH balanced state. Using APC will leave it in an alkaline state, making cloth suspectible to resoiling.

APC on leather.. kondof same thing

Leather is suppose to be in a slightly acid state, using APC raises the PH level higher.


Mckee37 fast interior detailer will be perfect for maintenance or light clean up.

Ultima shampoo gel will work for heavier clean up

If you have stains carpro inside works well ..but meguiars pro fiber rinse and protein remover is a combo you can't beat for stains
 
Mike nailed it. And trust me, I've been selling maintenance / jan san supplies since 1991, I've forgotten more about cleaning supplies than I'll ever want to know LOL. If choosing one product it would need to be a nuetral cleaner (ph nuetral).
 
OK, so I'll need a dedicated leather cleaner to deep clean the leather seats. I'll probably just use a damp mf towel for now since the seats are pretty clean and only see light use.

Would a dedicated cloth shampoo be good for carpets and cloth seats?

Could I still use an APC on plastic and rubber trim?

Graham
 
My favorite leather products are Sonax. I use them on my Allen Edmonds too LOL. I have a pair of nice AE shoes that are good for work because they have work soles, but it's not polished leather. I tried the Sonax Lehter Foam on them, I didn't want any cream type product as they would soak too much up. This stuff works awesome. It's my go to leather cleaner these days. I spray it on a blue mf pad and apply it that way. It cleaned 3 years of gunk off of my Rogue's leather steering wheel like a charm.

SONAX Leather Foam Leather Cleaner & Conditioner, Sonax leather cleaner conditioner, sonax leather care
 
amalik said:
So based on the feedback then, are there no pH-neutral APC's?
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There a plenty of them out there, but since sds sheets aren't posted on products sold by AG it makes it a challenge to figure it out.

You will need to have more than one product, no one product will do it all.

Always do a test spot first. I like to think I know what I'm doing and I screwed up my wifes Sonata door panel. I used to "hot" of an apc and it lightened up the grey plastic. Fortunately for me I made the dealership replace it since they scratced it up, Now that's another story LOL. But had that been a customers car I would have been on the hook for it.
 
613carguy said:
I'd like to get your opinions on using an APC to clean interiors. Vinyl, leather, plastic, upholstery, carpets, rubber, basically everything except the glass. Is it possible to use different dilutions of an APC to clean everything?
Click to expand...

In my opinion and experience yes it is when using Meguiars D101 APC Concentrate @10:1. I never dilute it any stonger than that mostly because it can handle just about anything you throw at it at that dilution [certainly everything you listed no problem]

Everything except glass, you’ve got the right idea. [and it’s not that it can’t do a decent job on glass, it’s just that glass cleaner finishes perfect]

Carpets, upholstery, leather, I’ve never not once seen a negative effect actually happen in real life.
 
I use ONR solution for all things interior except carpets. I use the Gary Dean method of washing my car. I take a couple of the clean ONR-soaked MFs and wipe the interior down. It's quick, I like how the surface looks (not shiny) and it smells pleasant enough. This includes my leather seats, since I think they are vinyl coated and I see no evidence of anything being absorbed into them. I don't like the smell of APCs and if you're interior is relatively well kept, I don't think you need that powerful of a cleaner. However, I do get the need for an APC if you're dealing with a soiled neglected interior.
 
613carguy said:
I'd like to get your opinions on using an APC to clean interiors. Vinyl, leather, plastic, upholstery, carpets, rubber, basically everything except the glass. Is it possible to use different dilutions of an APC to clean everything? I've read a bunch of threads that have differing advice. Some say it's fine on most surfaces, some say APC has no place in the interior.

I'm thinking 1:5 for dirty carpets and mats, 1:10 for plastic and rubber, 1:20 for leather and light maintenance everywhere.

I'm looking to maintain a 2013 BMW that I just bought (not too dirty) and deep clean then maintain the family van (kids are pigs).

Thoughts?

Graham
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You're definitely asking the right questions.

I think having a dedicated carpet cleaner, dedicated leather cleaner, dedicated leather conditioner, and dedicated plastic and rubber cleaner is completely overkill. But, I am a professional so my opinion is bias.

Personally, I would get Mckee's 37 Hi-Intensity APC+ because it's incredibly versatile. Also, (like Eldorado2k already mentioned) I think you could just keep it simple by only having one dilution of whichever product you decide to purchase. At the 10:1 dilution M37 Hi-Intensity APC+ is extremely effective at cleaning dirty floor mats while also being safe enough to use on leather.

One thing I would recommend is getting a product like M37 Fast Interior Detailer to use after cleaning with the APC to neutralize the alkalinity of the APC. Or, if you want to save money you could just use your rinseless wash product. Before buying Fast Interior detailer I had used ONR, D114, and Wolfgang Uber to wipe down leather after cleaning with an APC.

The one exception to the 10:1 dilution ratio I recommend for M37 High Intensity APC+ is for carpet & upholstery cleaning. These areas can't be as effectively neutralized and if you're not using an extractor (I never do) then you might want to err on the side of caution and have another bottle of APC+ diluted 20:1 or have a dedicated carpet & upholstery shampoo.

If you don't mind spending your money on the best quality interior cleaner, Ultima Interior shampoo gel is a seriously amazing interior cleaner.

One thing to keep in mind (like other members have said) if you are consistently keeping the interiors of your vehicles clean then there is really no reason to ever reach for an APC. You can just use your rinseless wash and a microfiber towel or use a dedicated interior detailer. That way you never have to worry about letting cleaners dry in the carpet or leaving a surface in an alkaline state.
 
mwoywod said:
One thing I would recommend is getting a product like M37 Fast Interior Detailer to use after cleaning with the APC to neutralize the alkalinity of the APC. Or, if you want to save money you could just use your rinseless wash product. Before buying Fast Interior detailer I had used ONR, D114, and Wolfgang Uber to wipe down leather after cleaning with an APC.
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What do you suggest if applying a protectant (like 303 AP) to the plastics afterwards? Is that ok to "go over" something like an interior detailer or rinseless/waterless wash? I've just been using a MF damp with water to neutralize the APC.
 
So I took a closer look at the product my local guy sold me and it turns out that it's not really an APC. This is what he sold me:

3D Orange 88 Citrus Degreaser 128 oz.

From the product listing, it seems safe to use on almost any interior surface. Assuming I'll use something stronger for deep stains in carpets and upholstery, I'm fairly confident that I can use this stuff at 10:1 to maintain all interior surfaces, except glass of course. I'll probably still do a wipe down with a damp MF cloth before adding a surface treatment.

Thanks for all the info and feedback guys. It's much appreciated.

Graham
 
derass said:
What do you suggest if applying a protectant (like 303 AP) to the plastics afterwards? Is that ok to "go over" something like an interior detailer or rinseless/waterless wash? I've just been using a MF damp with water to neutralize the APC.
Click to expand...


Absolutely, a damp MF towel would be a fine option. If you're applying an interior protectant then there is no need to neutralize the alkalinity, just use the protectant after you've finish cleaning with your APC.

613carguy said:
So I took a closer look at the product my local guy sold me and it turns out that it's not really an APC. This is what he sold me:

3D Orange 88 Citrus Degreaser 128 oz.

From the product listing, it seems safe to use on almost any interior surface. Assuming I'll use something stronger for deep stains in carpets and upholstery, I'm fairly confident that I can use this stuff at 10:1 to maintain all interior surfaces, except glass of course. I'll probably still do a wipe down with a damp MF cloth before adding a surface treatment.

Thanks for all the info and feedback guys. It's much appreciated.

Graham
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That's a great interior/exterior APC. It's extremely concentrated and very effective even when diluted 15:1 for cleaning dirty leather and prespotting carpet stains. I dilute it down further than directed because IME it's an extremely concentrated degreaser.
 
Orange88 is a great APC and has a great price.

It will clean wheels and tires well at stronger ratios and still seems safe for interiors at lighter ratios.

I can’t remember if it streaks or not without a follow behind wipe. McKees High Intensity APC+ is great for being streak free and doubles as a glass cleaner but it to me it lacks a little power for exterior cleaning.

Optimum Power Clean would be another good all around cleaner.
 
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