Residue on interior surfaces

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Hoggaphobia

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I just bought a GMC Acadia from a local dealer. The vehicle had recently been traded in and had not been detailed prior to my purchasing it. Before the lot detailed it, I noticed a white residue on the dash panel and all four door panels. After it was detailed, the salesperson told me that they were unable to remove the residue. The dealership is going to have a professional company look at it in two weeks. In the meantime, I think I have figured it out. I think that the residue is exterior spray wax. It definitely won't come off with regular cleaners and I was wondering if you might have a suggestion for how to remove it. I know that I can wait for the dealer -- but I'd sure like for it to be clean now.

Thanks!
 
I'm sure we could advise you on how to remove it, but if the dealer is going to do it for free let them. That way if they end up ruining something it's on them to pay for it.

If you don't want to wait though I would try a mild APC solution first like ZEP citrus 20:1. If that doesn't work you might want to try a solution of IPA and water (75/25 first and if that doesn't work 50/50)

I've heard of people using magic erasers to clean interiors, but I have never tried since I don't trust their ability not to ruin the finish. good luck.
 
This sounds like a condition that I've read plagues many GM owners. I've read that there's been quite allot of it found in the C6 series Corvette but other models have exhibited similar issues.

Some time ago I think Mike Phillips wrote an article on this. Try doing a search or maybe Mike will chime in...
 
Hoggaphobia said:
I just bought a GMC Acadia from a local dealer. The vehicle had recently been traded in and had not been detailed prior to my purchasing it. Before the lot detailed it, I noticed a white residue on the dash panel and all four door panels. After it was detailed, the salesperson told me that they were unable to remove the residue. The dealership is going to have a professional company look at it in two weeks. In the meantime, I think I have figured it out. I think that the residue is exterior spray wax. It definitely won't come off with regular cleaners and I was wondering if you might have a suggestion for how to remove it. I know that I can wait for the dealer -- but I'd sure like for it to be clean now.

Thanks!
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I mainly use Optimum Power Clean and Megs APC+. With what I have available, I would probably try OPC at 3:1 first, then try OPC at full strength if necessary. I would use a MF applicator pad and wipe down the panel afterward with a water-dampened MF towel to remove residual APC. If the white substance is on leather, OPC at 3:1 is supposed to be safe. I find OPC gets stuff off my door panels and trim that doesn't come off with APC+ at 1:10 or even 1:4.

I don't own a steam cleaner (yet) but a steam cleaner may be another option.
 
BobbyG said:
This sounds like a condition that I've read plagues many GM owners. I've read that there's been quite allot of it found in the C6 series Corvette but other models have exhibited similar issues.

Some time ago I think Mike Phillips wrote an article on this. Try doing a search or maybe Mike will chime in...
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Bob, from your reading, do you know if this white residue is supposed to be a plastizer that is spreading to the plastic surface?

That could be a bummer to remove without damaging the surface.
 
The white substance is definitely a sprayed on product. I can see run lines from the hard plastic part of the door panel to the leather insert on the door panel. I was able to remove a little on an inconspicuous area using "Goo Gone". I just don't want to use it all over if it could damage the finish.
 
An erasier bag used in art works great for this kind of issue. Can be purchase at most art supply stores.
 
Kurt_s said:
Bob, from your reading, do you know if this white residue is supposed to be a plastizer that is spreading to the plastic surface?

That could be a bummer to remove without damaging the surface.
Click to expand...

That's my understanding of what it is (plasticizer) and yeah, it can be a pain to remove -- but it's not impossible. I've run across this in a few vehicles including an Acadia, a C5 Corvette, and perhaps worst of all a first-gen CTS dashboard (those familiar with the original CTS know why the dashboard is a nightmare to clean/detail).

It's not impossible to take care of safely, but it's also labor intensive to scrub everything down. My method is to mix up a batch of cleaning solution with a little Woolite detergent, some APC (I usually use Simple Green, but any APC should work), some OxiClean powder, and some extremely hot water.

Scrub all the dash/door panels/other vinyl, rubber, and leather surfaces with an MF towel that has been soaked in the bucket of cleaning solution, using a soft tooth brush to scrub any stubborn areas further. I then follow up with my vapor steamer, removing runoff and drying the panel with either another MF or a cotton terry towel.

Hoggaphobia said:
The white substance is definitely a sprayed on product. I can see run lines from the hard plastic part of the door panel to the leather insert on the door panel. I was able to remove a little on an inconspicuous area using "Goo Gone". I just don't want to use it all over if it could damage the finish.
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What I would suggest is that if Goo Gone is working for you, go ahead and use it to remove the residue, but IMMEDIATELY rinse it with another cleaner and apply protectant -- I'd say with about 99% certainty that you aren't going to permanently damage the door panel with the goo gone, but I can't guarantee whatever the stuff you're removing is hasn't stained or etched the door already.

You could also attempt using the cleaning solution I described above, substituting a spray-down with plain hot water to rinse if you don't have a vapor steamer at your disposal.
 
I've heard NOT to use protectants with silicone. Which protectants are safe to use?
 
Let the dealership have a crack at it first because if you mess with it they'll lay it all in your lap.
 
Hi...Look in the owner's manual under the "How to Maintain/Clean Your Vehicle" ( or whatever other title it goes by--you get my drift). GM always lists the preferred products to use. These products are very same ones used at reputable GM dealearships by trained techs. But I agree with others---let the dealership handle the situation first. They screw it up, they have to replace.
 
FUNX725 said:
Hi...Look in the owner's manual under the "How to Maintain/Clean Your Vehicle" ( or whatever other title it goes by--you get my drift). GM always lists the preferred products to use. These products are very same ones used at reputable GM dealearships by trained techs. But I agree with others---let the dealership handle the situation first. They screw it up, they have to replace.
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You're not actually serious, are you? Don't go buy the cleaning products at the parts counter... all that stuff is overpriced relabeled versions of the same products we get from detail chemical manufacturers, and there's really no point in doing that.

There's very little cause to be so scared of cleaning up a vehicle.
 
Yo SLD: You're not actually serious--asking me if I'm actually serious are you? YUK, Yuk, LOL. I never said to purchase the products sold at GM, Ford, Chrysler or any other manufacturers parts/service counter. In this particular post the concern was raised by the poster about just having purchased this Acadia with an interior problem and I agreed with several others to let the dealership handle this issue first and foremost and therefore be liable for any damage. The products generally used by said dealership are usually the same as in the owner's manual under the manufacturer's preferred products list.(They get it by the barrelfull!)
I was just thinking about him preserving the warranty.

The definitive words that you used here are "Detail Chemical Manufacturers". How bothersome those words are to my ears. Plastic. vinyl, and leather interior finishes cringe at the thought of being layered with silicone and other VOC ladened chemicals.

I suspect that, along with myself, many other car enthusiasts who would like to see their vehicles interior components last the life of their vehicle, have them cleaned with proper materials.
 
FUNX725 said:
The products generally used by said dealership are usually the same as in the owner's manual under the manufacturer's preferred products list.(They get it by the barrelfull!)
Click to expand...

In reality, if you were to look into what most dealerships are actually using in their detail departments, you'd find that in many cases they are cheap, inferior products when compared to what high end enthusiasts and professionals are using. Just because the dealer uses product X, doesn't mean that product is always the best thing for the vehicle.

The definitive words that you used here are "Detail Chemical Manufacturers". How bothersome those words are to my ears. Plastic. vinyl, and leather interior finishes cringe at the thought of being layered with silicone and other VOC ladened chemicals.
Click to expand...

I think you may be making some false assumptions here. Nowhere did I say "silicone and other VOC ladened chemicals." The reason why I didn't say that is because there are a number of protectants on the market that are water and synthetic based and are VOC compliant. All of these are produced by detail chemical manufacturers (as an industrial segment, they could be called "product manufacturers," "chemical manufacturers," or any one of a number of different terms) and are perfectly safe and proper to use.

I suspect that, along with myself, many other car enthusiasts who would like to see their vehicles interior components last the life of their vehicle, have them cleaned with proper materials.
Click to expand...

Not sure what you're implying here, but again keep in mind that there are a wide variety of "proper materials" available for cleaning and protection purposes, and not all of them come listed in the owners manuals of vehicles.
 
I would just like to know what some of those water based and non VOC laden products are.
 
Hoggaphobia said:
I just bought a GMC Acadia from a local dealer. The vehicle had recently been traded in and had not been detailed prior to my purchasing it. Before the lot detailed it, I noticed a white residue on the dash panel and all four door panels. After it was detailed, the salesperson told me that they were unable to remove the residue. The dealership is going to have a professional company look at it in two weeks. In the meantime, I think I have figured it out. I think that the residue is exterior spray wax. It definitely won't come off with regular cleaners and I was wondering if you might have a suggestion for how to remove it. I know that I can wait for the dealer -- but I'd sure like for it to be clean now.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

Try this thread: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...27-white-powdery-stain-corvette-interior.html
 
 
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