This question actually relates to the BMW 318is that I'm selling to help fund my new MINI, so I hope noone minds answering a question about another car.

Anyway, I'm trying to clean my car up before I sell it, and I can't seem to get the interior vinyl surfaces very clean. It's a beige colored textured vinyl, and there's dark schmutz down in the texture cracks, especially on the driver's side arm rest. There's also a mysterious spot on the dash that looks like some kind of carbonated beverage residue (I blame my passenger (girlfriend)). I've tried everything that's currently at my disposal, and nothing seems to do much to it (other than smear it around occasionally).

So what kind of product should I turn to to get this clean? I'd prefer something that I can avoid shipping charges on (namely, something I can buy at one of them thar retail type stores, not just l'Internet) if at all possible. Not only product, but what kind of applicator? Generic Target microfiber towel? Paper towel? Holy t-shirt that's been reborn as a rag?

I need direction here, people!

 

Try one of the Mr. Clean "Magic Erasers", available at your local supermarket. Does wonders for stained vinyl/plastic parts. Miraculous, really.

 

That sounds almost too easy. I'd discounted that route because I thought those things did their 'magic' by just sanding off a light layer of whatever surface you're cleaning.

 

Nah - they're not any more abrasive than the kitchen "scrubbies" that you use for countertops/dishes. You "activate" the Magic Eraser with water, and there's some cleaning chemical impregnated in the sponge part of it. They don't last as long as kitchen scrubbies, though - they kind of dissolve as you use them up.

My first experience with them was when cleaning the beige vinyl upholstery in my 35-year old Mercedes. It got out the "armrest gunk", as well as some staining on the headliner that I can only assume was years' worth of nicotine/tar from cigarette smoke.

They're also really good for getting scuff marks off of hard plastic kickpanels.

They *are* a little bit abrasive, though, so I obviously wouldn't use them on anything smooth & non-porous, like paint or gauge faces.

 

Use some Simple Green and a soft brush to work it in. Then use 303 Aerospace protectant.

Mark

 

I need to remember that magic eraser. I've got some "stuff" (i have no clue what it is) on my door panel in my xB and I haven't been able to get it off. It's stuck in the golf ball holes on the panel.

 

Lexol leather cleaner is a good product you can purchase off-the-shelf.

 

Thanks for the various suggestions.

I'll give the Magical Eraser a try first since I think I have one laying about somewhere, and then escalate if needed.

 

In the end I used some crazy stuff I vaguely remembered from high school chem class they called the Universal Solvent.

Yeah, water and some pressure did the trick just fine.

 

Simple Green is great for cleaning the interior without damaging, you can brush it into the carpets too, it does a terrific job on carpets.

 

Did the Magic Eraser not work for you, or did you just try the water first? Regardless, I'm glad you got the "grime" out.

 

Water and grease applied with your elbow is often over looked.

Mark

 

I couldn't find the Eraser (I think it might have gotten all used up during my last apartment move out cleaning bonanza), so I tried the water method after a failed attempt with something else.