MINI COOPER :: North American Motoring - Proper way to apply rubber/vinyl/leather dressing...(?)

kenchan · #1 10-02-2006, 06:38 PM

Ok, so i got my interior all wiped down with Griot's interior cleaner
using my MF towel. (this is on my G35C).

I applied the Griot's rubber/vinyl dressing using their blue sponge...
i got it pretty even, but is there a trick to getting it perfectly even
on the application?

I put about 3 drops on the sponge, then rubbed rubbed x20 times or
so into the doors, etc. trying to spread as much of the dressing as
far as possible. I kept rubbing over the entire door with no further
dressing on the sponge going over the entire door over and over again.

shall i use a paint brush to apply the dressing onto the sponge before
i apply?

im going to be doing the leather pretty soon so i want to make sure
i get this right.

thanks!

kenchan · #2 10-02-2006, 10:08 PM

i wiped down my MCS interior as well... then masked off areas that I
didn't want dressing.

From my experiment, I think the best way to apply vinyl & rubber
dressing is:

1st, put maybe 2-3 small squirts onto the blue Griots's sponge
(very little).

2nd, start from the bottom of the door panel (bottom meaning facing the
ground, not the lower part of the panel facing you) apply the dressing
while you work the dressing evenly onto the sponge.

3rd, work the dressing from the bottom of the door upwards to the
door jam side, then to the front of the door facing you. keep going
up and finish at the top of the door. by that time, the dressing is
very evenly dispersed into the sponge and very little is left in it so
you can't over do it.

Too many times i see people start from the top of the door
resulting in an unnatural shine at the top.

repeat as necessary until you get the right amount of dressing on
the door... again, don't use too much. you might want to just
keep rubbing the sponge with no more squirts of dressing. just
work it in over and over again.

The Griot's dressing doesn't shine much which is a good thing.
If you ever decide to buy their dressing, just get the small 8oz.
You will need no more than 10 squirts to do the entire car.

If you're scared to do the dressing on the interior, try their SpeedShine.
I did that before to clean the door panel and it turned out real clean
with a nice matt finish.

El_Jefe · #3 10-03-2006, 01:08 AM

speedshining the interior is a really odd idea. the stuff is amazing though. Anyone that says that their things are rebranded products must never actually use their full line.

I have their interior cleaner and that works well on even old disgusting cars.

the vinyl and rubber dressing of theirs really does spread far. 35 oz might be overkill for a long time!

kenchan · #4 10-03-2006, 06:48 AM

^^ yeh, it was more of a trial and error thing where i wanted to clean
shoe marks that my wife made on my Legacy... turned out nice!

The SprayOn wax that i use to clean door jams also clean and moisturizes
the plastic sidesill ornaments which look great.

all coincidental?
yeh, sort of, not really.

there's some moisturizers in the blend that cleans and lubes plastic.

S Curvz · #5 10-03-2006, 06:48 AM

speed shineing the interior is something I have been thinking about between details. I clean the interior thoroughly once a month. I thought about speed shine between cleans.

Agreed about 8 oz bottle, used only two of those the past 5 years, and I use it on my tires too. Started to use it on my trim, And it only takes one or two squirts.

kenchan · #6 10-03-2006, 06:51 AM

I actually recommend it over the Interior Cleaner for quick cleaning cause the IC removes oils
and lubes, moisturizers on the surface. You basically have to reapply dressing if you used a
good amount of IC for a thorough cleansing.

btw, scurvz, hows that Cart doing?

S Curvz · #7 10-03-2006, 06:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

I actually recommend it over the Interior Cleaner for quick cleaning cause the IC removes oils
and lubes, moisturizers on the surface. You basically have to reapply dressing if you used a
good amount of IC for a thorough cleansing.

btw, scurvz, hows that Cart doing?

Yeah, I know the IC takes the oils out, but I have been under the impression that it also removed all the dressing.

Hm, I will call later....

Unfortunatly it is still in the box.

The stuff showed up on Friday, but I forgot I worked all weekend, so no play time. How long did it take you to put together? Maybe after I wash my dads car tonight I will put it together. All that means is I need to do my homework at work...wait..I hope my employer doesnt read that. Actually, I hope they do not read anything on NAM.

ImagoX · #8 10-03-2006, 07:31 AM

I use one of those sponges that are designed to apply tire dressing, I just turn them sideways. GREAT control that way.

El_Jefe · #9 10-03-2006, 10:39 AM

wow, more people for speedshine on interior. thats interesting. I know that speedshine has some wax in it as well. hm.

kenchan · #10 10-03-2006, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S Curvz

Yeah, I know the IC takes the oils out, but I have been under the impression that it also removed all the dressing.

Hm, I will call later....

Unfortunatly it is still in the box.

The stuff showed up on Friday, but I forgot I worked all weekend, so no play time. How long did it take you to put together? Maybe after I wash my dads car tonight I will put it together. All that means is I need to do my homework at work...wait..I hope my employer doesnt read that. Actually, I hope they do not read anything on NAM.

yah, the IC does remove the dressing too... so it's a good way to re-start
if one messes up.

the Griots cart took me maybe 20min to put together. I also bought
like 7-8 small containers with lids (Target has them) to put my towels
and pads in so that it is dust free.

On the shelve tops, i put in
small screws as guides so that the containers do not shift around
when i move the cart.

**OctaneGuy** · #11 10-03-2006, 11:44 AM

I use Meguiar's #40 Vinyl/Rubber cleaner/conditioner for the interior plastics, and anywhere a little gloss is desirable. Then Quik Interior detailer for all the gauges, matte finish areas, and seats. Leaves a nice lemon scent as well!

kenchan · #12 10-03-2006, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OctaneGuy

I use Meguiar's #40 Vinyl/Rubber cleaner/conditioner for the interior plastics, and anywhere a little gloss is desirable. Then Quik Interior detailer for all the gauges, matte finish areas, and seats. Leaves a nice lemon scent as well!

Octaneguy- do you use any special sponges or towels to apply?

Any application pattern to follow?

**OctaneGuy** · #13 10-03-2006, 11:58 AM

Fortunately they are both spray on lliquids, so I just apply to a towel, and wipe. I just restored a 2002 Astro Black Cooper that needed a lot of work both interior and exterior. Car looks new again inside and out. #40 was very easy and effective--not something I've used very often in the past. I used it on the exterior trim arches and side vents (MC grills) which where all grey and mottled, and even after 4 days now, they still look new. Ok, the customer dropped the car off, and it's still here waiting for her to pick it up.

Richard

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

Octaneguy- do you use any special sponges or towels to apply?

Any application pattern to follow?

**MINIclo** · #14 10-03-2006, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OctaneGuy

Fortunately they are both spray on lliquids, so I just apply to a towel, and wipe. I just restored a 2002 Astro Black Cooper that needed a lot of work both interior and exterior. Car looks new again inside and out. #40 was very easy and effective--not something I've used very often in the past. I used it on the exterior trim arches and side vents (MC grills) which where all grey and mottled, and even after 4 days now, they still look new. Ok, the customer dropped the car off, and it's still here waiting for her to pick it up.

Richard

Richard, if you think of it, I'd love to see a before and after of the interior & exterior detailing, especially of a Jet Black or Astro Black MINI.

**OctaneGuy** · #15 10-03-2006, 12:02 PM

Sure I'll post some pix. Plus my own MCS is Jet Black and I have yet to fully detail the interior--it needs work. I've detailed a whole bunch of other cars--just don't have time to work on my own.

Are you in town or travelling now? We've got a clinic next Saturday....

Quote:

Originally Posted by MINIclo

Richard, if you think of it, I'd love to see a before and after of the interior & exterior detailing, especially of a Jet Black or Astro Black MINI.

**MINIclo** · #16 10-03-2006, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OctaneGuy

Sure I'll post some pix. Plus my own MCS is Jet Black and I have yet to fully detail the interior--it needs work. I've detailed a whole bunch of other cars--just don't have time to work on my own.

That's a classic situation....as in the shoemaker's kids need their shoes resoled!

kenchan · #17 10-03-2006, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OctaneGuy

Fortunately they are both spray on lliquids, so I just apply to a towel, and wipe. I just restored a 2002 Astro Black Cooper that needed a lot of work both interior and exterior. Car looks new again inside and out. #40 was very easy and effective--not something I've used very often in the past. I used it on the exterior trim arches and side vents (MC grills) which where all grey and mottled, and even after 4 days now, they still look new. Ok, the customer dropped the car off, and it's still here waiting for her to pick it up.

Richard

cool, thanks.

it sounds like the #40 is even less shiny than
the Griot's Rubber&Vinyl Dressing.

yeh, when are we going to see your MCS??!!

**OctaneGuy** · #18 10-03-2006, 12:13 PM

Well #40 is also a cleaner, so in the past I would have used #39 to clean, then apply a dressing, but #40 is all in one. It's one of my new favorites.

As for the MCS---Sooooon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenchan

cool, thanks.

it sounds like the #40 is even less shiny than
the Griot's Rubber&Vinyl Dressing.

yeh, when are we going to see your MCS??!!

kenchan · #19 10-03-2006, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OctaneGuy

Well #40 is also a cleaner, so in the past I would have used #39 to clean, then apply a dressing, but #40 is all in one. It's one of my new favorites.

As for the MCS---Sooooon.

hummmm... looks like i got another thing to buy next season from
Meg's.

#21 and #40. will give it a couple more shots
on this Griots dressing to see if i can get a good handle on it.

also planning to try their leather dressing too... maybe tomorrow
night.

**Detailers Paradise** · #20 10-03-2006, 04:35 PM

I've found that an important aspect of applying any interior dressing is to make sure the surface is cool to the touch. Of course, *cold* is not a good idea either, but a *hot* surface will make the application very uneven, in my experience.

-Heather

kenchan · #21 10-03-2006, 08:55 PM

^^ Heather- thanks for the tip. I too did mine in the garage... cars had
been garaged since Sunday morning so cool to the touch.

How is your Prima Nero vs Griot's Vinyl and Rubber dressing? Is it even less
shiny?

agranger · #22 10-03-2006, 09:17 PM

I learned the magic of Meguiars #40 from Octane Guy or BradB about a year ago. I love it for exterior plastics and I apply it with a foam applicator intended for tires that I got for $0.99 at Pep Boys. 2 spritzes will do a wheel with plenty left over.

I like the Zaino rubber/plastic treatment for the inside (I like the shine and application properties better). I dribble some on a cheapie microfiber and wipe on / wipe off.

agranger · #23 10-03-2006, 09:21 PM

Proper application of dressing to the arches:

1. Jack up car and suspend on 4 jack stands
2. Remove wheels
3. Remove wheel well liners
4. Remove all arches and side sills (all 14 pieces)
5. Submerge in dressing
6. Leave for 1 week
7. Remove and dry w/ microfiber
8. Replace arches, wheel well liners and wheels.

9. Drive car for 1 day

10. Repeat!

kenchan · #24 10-03-2006, 09:27 PM

interior plastics and rubber.

MiniMaybee · #25 10-03-2006, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agranger

Proper application of dressing to the arches:

1. Jack up car and suspend on 4 jack stands
2. Remove wheels
3. Remove wheel well liners
4. Remove all arches and side sills (all 14 pieces)
5. Submerge in dressing
6. Leave for 1 week
7. Remove and dry w/ microfiber
8. Replace arches, wheel well liners and wheels.

9. Drive car for 1 day

10. Repeat!