Powderish prints on inside door panel wont' go away

[bluezone]

Hi All,

Does anyone have any idea why the inside of the door panel always seems to have like a white or powderish affect. It's as if any time anyone touches the inside door panel some type of light colored print seems to be visible. I've tried to clean it with water but that did nothing. Then tried Vinylex which made it go away for the moment. But then it comes right back anytime door is touched. Anyone else have this problem?

[BradB]

Trying to visualize...never had this problem before...at least not one that came back.

Have you tried a vinyl cleaner first (even a solution of dawn dishwashing detergent -alkaline base cuts through any oils that might be on the surface), then treat with a vinyl dressing again.

Oily residue underneath is my thought. Not sure.

[danmcg]

This same thing has happened to me. I haven't tried cleaning it except for licking my finger and wiping...

[gokartride]

Strange you should mention this.....yes, I have noticed this in the last few weeks or so. AND I have completely new door panels on my '03 as of last summer (paint failure on silver trim was the issue). The marks appear to be powdery...light colored....as if someone was leaving sweaty palm prints on the door, except this part of the door is rarely touched, back behind the seat bolster below the red reflector (on my Cooper). I generally go at it w/ a wet cloth because it seems such a simple thing to deal with, but then it comes back. I have some Z1 plastic cleaner...I'll try that today and let you know what happens. I'll try Brad's suggestion, too.:smile:

[BradB]

Originally Posted by jds

I have some Z1 plastic cleaner...I'll try that today and let you know what happens. I'll try Brad's suggestion, too.:smile:

1Z plastic cleaner is fantastic. If dirt/oil is the problem (who knows) this will clean the surface just fine.

[ImaVunDerBrah]

Thanks for mentioning this... I have the same problem! Its so odd. It never happened in my first MINI, but this stuff has been there since I got the current one a few months ago.

[tattman23]

Something similar appeared on my steering wheel and various interior surfaces after I had the runflats rotated. I blame something on the mechanic's hands, but I know not what it was... Meguiar's 40 zapped it swell.

Tatt

[bluezone]

Funny thing too is that it only happens on the left-hand passanger side door panel. I just thought maybe it was something in my skin. Maybe oil, sunscreen, ect.., so I got some driving gloves . But even with gloves on I still have the same problem on the left side. Right side really doesn't seem to have the same problem strange.