Interior Cleaning Issues...any suggestions?

[NessTheDutchess]

Hey All -

Hoping someone might be able to help me with this issue I'm having.

I have a white space interior but the black panels on the door have these white finger print looking marks that I can't get off. Not a lot of people come in and out of my car, and they've all been clean adults...so not sure how this got here but worst of all, I can't remove it!

I've been using Total Interior Cleaner by Chemical Guys but no luck. I also tried plain old water and soap.

Any suggestions? Anyone else have this problem? I thought it'd be an easy removal; just looks like ashy hands touched my door.

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[StephsMachE]

Following this, because it seems like the material does get "finger" marks on it easily...as mine has some on spots as well

 

[usmcsatcom]

I use Trinova Leatherette Faux Leather cleaner because a Tesla thread recommended it. It works well for cleaning and conditioning, but similar marks the ones you have keep coming back.

 

[Lynsey]

I had the same, I was like WTF I can't touch anything with out a mark. Looked like a toddler was in the car and I was so careful. I got my interior ceramic coated. No more issues.

 

[joebruin77]

Optimum makes a great all purpose cleaner called Power Clean. Whenever I have an interior stain that a normal interior cleaner can't clean, Power Clean usually takes care of it. I suggest first using some Power Clean diluted 5 parts water to 1 part Power Clean. If that doesn't work, then try it 4:1 and then, if needed, 3:1. I would not use it on interiors without diluting it at least 3:1.

https://optimumcarcare.com/product/optimum-power-clean

It will remove any kind of protective dressings, so if you use a protective dressing, you will have to reapply it after cleaning with Power Clean.

 

[RickMachE]

I believe the white fingerprints are simply skin residue. I use warm water, a soft cloth like an old facecloth, and a few drops of dishsoap in the water and it comes right off.

 

[NessTheDutchess]

That's what I thought too...tried warm water, soap, with a microfiber clothe...no luck :/

I believe the white fingerprints are simply skin residue. I use warm water, a soft cloth like an old facecloth, and a few drops of dishsoap in the water and it comes right off.

 

[Odmark91]

I have this same issue, its impossible to keep the interior clean and its driving me crazy. I have tried many different approaches to this now but nothing really works, The Chemical Guys cleaner was the best so far but it still left marks all over the soft interior parts.

Also be very careful not to touch any of the soft parts of the interior with something hard, even the slightest touch can leave permanent scratches.

 

[NessTheDutchess]

Tried McGuire's interior cleaning and still no luck. It's literally just ash from my elbows resting on the there...won't come off and it's driving me nuts

 

[joebruin77]

Tried McGuire's interior cleaning and still no luck. It's literally just ash from my elbows resting on the there...won't come off and it's driving me nuts

I did a quick google search on both Meguiars Interior Detailer as well as Chemical Guys InnerClean interior cleaner. Both of these products have a pH of slightly above 7. I think you need a cleaner with a higher pH. If you have some Simple Green, you can try that diluted 3:1 or 2:1. Or you can try Optimum PowerClean, which I recommended earlier in this post. Optimum PowerClean has a pH of around 11. If you use it diluted 5:1, I think the pH will still be above 10.

Earlier today, I noticed some stains on the glovebox door of my Tesla. I first tried using some Chemical Guys InnerClean. I like this product a lot, but on this particular stain, it didn't clean it. Then I used some Optimum PowerClean diluted 5:1 and it worked really well. I highly recommend Optimum PowerClean!

Whatever cleaner you choose, it's always a good idea to first use it in a very tiny, inconspicuous test spot, just to make sure it does not damage the material or surface you are applying it to.

 

[HuntingPudel]

I get the same skin transfer on my door pulls and panels. I use Armorall Interior Detailer and it gets most of it off in the first pass. Second bass usually gets enough off that I no longer care once I put a preservative on top of it. ??

 

[Odmark91]

I have finally found something that works for cleaning the soft surfaces in the car without leaving marks. Meguiars Gold Class Rich Leather Conditioner, it makes all the soft parts look brand new.

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