On my own cars, I never really needed an interior "cleaner", mainly because I'm generally just wiping away the dust and a damp microfibre will do that with ease. I did dress with 303 every few months though.
Now that I'm detailing a few cars on the side, I will do / use the following -
Maintenance details / return customers -
Meguiars Quick Interior Detailer. This has enough "cleaning" ability for this type of job, and also leaves light protectant behind, saving me time being two products in one.
For really dirty or neglected interiors -
I use an APC, Green Star at the moment, to do the heavy lifting before following up with a quick wipe over with Megs QID.
Initially, I didn't really like Megs QID because my use of interior products usually involved a dressing, which would leave a very obvious result. QID lacks this obvious "after" result, something I actually appreciate now, it leaves the interior looking fresh and not slick or shiny. I also like the scent and the time saving factor. I'm actually grabbing it as a go-to now, even on my own cars.
Returning to my original post in this thread from way back in July 2021, wow, things have really changed since then.
For heavier cleaning, I no longer use Green Star, or an APC for that matter on an interior. Shortly after this post, I fell in love with P&S Xpress after resisting it for quite some time. I cycle between Xpress, Griots Interior Cleaner or Koch Chemie Pol Star. All are pH neutral, and I love how they lather up and wipe away with no residue.
Back to the title of the thread, I think over the last 3 years there has been a big influx of interior detailers come to market.
After using Megs QID and loving it, I bought a gallon and slowly went off it. I'm told the retail and detailer versions have a different scent, the gallon size has a strange stale vinegar aroma that became more unpleasant over time, something I really didn't want in an interior. Which is a shame because I really liked the finish QID leaves. As mentioned in a previous post, if you like this product, stick with the retail version.
After Megs QID, I fell for Carpro InnerQD. Again, a product that left no residue and a factory look, it seemed to work very well on glossier trims, leaving no streaks as it flashes away. the strong lemon scent is par for coarse for interior cleaners, but I quite like it. I still use InnerQD, its a classy product for sure.
I then tried KCx ASC (All-Surface-Cleaner). The scent of these KCx products is a bit of a grower, somewhat strange to begin with but mellows over time. Again, a product the wipes away to leave no residue, but where other interior detailers have at least some cleaning abilities, ASC has absolutely none. I use this for wiping down my sink now.
Gyeon Interior Detailer, a bit of a disappointment for me. I know all of these interior detailers have an element of IPA in them to help flash away without streaking, but the Gyeon version smells and feels too much like IPA and leaves a dry looking interior. This is next in line for cleaning the sink.
I have also taken to using ONR for an interior detailer. Safe and gentle on all surfaces, enough cleaning ability should I need it, relatively neutral scent. Cheap too.
Auto Finesse Spritz, like all of their products, total garbage.
WoWo's Interior Finisher is nice, but smells weird and nothing more than "nice". Sums up WoWo's to be honest.
DIY Detail Interior Clean and Protect is a very good product, has just the right amount of "protect" without looking like an oil slick, just enough cleaning ability. The green apple scent is refreshingly different to all the citrus scents in this class.
Ethos Interior Detailer is another balance between dressing and cleaning, I love the strong coconut scent and the subtly enhanced finish it leaves.
P&S Swift I would put alongside the Ethos product, an ideal choice for those who like a more "dressed" or "enhanced" appearance. Not in a glossy/greasy way though, just a matte to satin look. Swift can also be lathered up if needed. I also adore the orange-sickle scent, so distinctive. This is my go-to for rubber floor mats, it imparting just enough dressing without being a slip hazard.
When it comes to trying interior detailers, I like the town bike. So, after trying so many, I've finally made a long-term commitment to ADS Pilot. This does everything Capro InnerQD can do, being a brilliant blend of cleaning performance, no streak ability and a fresh residue free finish, all teamed with such an addictive cologne-like scent. I do however realise cologne is an extremely subjective topic, in fact most give me a headache. But this ADS product is so lushly subdued, almost too subdued because it doesn't linger in the cabin for long enough............that's my only critique of Pilot, but I guess they balanced it correctly because it leaves you wanting more.
I know that makes me sound like a fan-boy. That's because I am, credit where credit is due because this ADS product is that good..............like their whole product range in fact.
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