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Paint Protection beginner 3 min read

Cabin Clean-Up: The Interior Detailing Checklist

Your paint is under constant attack: UV rays, bird droppings, tree sap, and road grime. Protection isn't optional—it's essential.

Don't let the Aussie sun cook that red dust and coffee spill into your upholstery. This is my personal checklist for getting your interior back to showroom quality without wasting a whole Saturday.

D"M
Dave "Davo" Mitchell Off-Road & 4WD Specialist
| Updated: 19 March 2026
What You'll Learn
Cabin Clean-Up: The Interior Detailing Checklist

Aussie Conditions

Our intense UV breaks down waxes faster than overseas. Ceramic coatings last longer, but even they need topped up more frequently here.
Quick Summary

Look, I've spent 15 years cleaning everything from muddy farm utes to high-end Euro imports, and the interior is always where people struggle most. Especially after a hot summer, our plastics get brittle and the dust just gets everywhere. This guide is my go-to workflow for a proper deep clean. Grab a cold drink, chuck the radio on, and let's get stuck in.

01

A Pro's Perspective

I learned the hard way on an old black Commodore that using 'cheap and shiny' silicone dressings is a recipe for disaster. It literally baked the dash in the 40-degree heat and cracked it. Now, I only use matte-finish UV protectants. Trust me, you don't want that greasy glare reflecting off your windscreen when you're driving into the afternoon sun.
02

The Gear You'll Need

What You'll Need

0/8
High-power vacuum — Don't bother with those weak cordless ones; you need suction for that red dirt.
Interior All-Purpose Cleaner (APC) — Something like Bowden's Own 'Agent Orange' or 'Inner Space' works wonders.
Microfibre towels (at least 5-6) — Use fresh ones for the dash so you don't swap grime around.
Soft-bristle detailing brushes — Essential for getting dust out of air vents and seams.
Dedicated glass cleaner — Avoid ammonia-based ones if you've got aftermarket window tint.
Leather cleaner and conditioner — I reckon Autoglym Leather Balm is top shelf for our dry climate.
Stiff carpet brush — To agitate the sand and hair out of the pile.
UV Protectant — Aerospace 303 is my absolute go-to for Aussie sun protection.

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03

Pre-Start Checklist

What You'll Need

0/4
Park in the shade — Never clean a hot interior; the chemicals will flash dry and leave streaks.
Remove all rubbish — Check under the seats, found a three-month-old meat pie once, not pretty.
Pull out the floor mats — Give them a good thrashing outside before you even start the vac.
Lower the windows slightly — Helps you clean that top edge of the glass later on.
04

The Workflow

Tap each step to mark complete
01

Dry Extraction

Vacuum everything. Use the brush to kick up dust from the carpet while you suck. If you don't get the dry dirt out now, it turns to mud later.

02

Dust the Cracks

Use your detailing brush in the vents, buttons, and cup holders. Keep the vacuum nozzle right next to the brush to catch the flying dust.

03

Hard Surface Wipe

Spray APC onto your cloth (not the dash) and wipe down all plastics. This stops overspray from getting on your clean glass or electronics.

04

Leather or Fabric Care

Clean the seats. If it's leather, use a dedicated cleaner. For fabric, a light mist of cleaner and a quick scrub with a microfibre does the job.

05

UV Protection

Apply your protectant to the dash and door cards. This is vital in March when the UV is still nuking everything. Wipe off any excess immediately.

06

Glass and Mirrors

Two-cloth method here. One to apply the cleaner and scrub, the second bone-dry cloth to buff off the haze. Do this last to catch any overspray.

05

Final Inspection

What You'll Need

0/4
Check the 'sun visor' test — Flip them down, people always forget to clean behind them.
Pedal check — Make sure no protectant got on the pedals. Slippery brakes are a nightmare.
Door jambs — Give the sills a quick wipe. It's the first thing you see when you get in.
Seat tracks — Slide the seats back and forth to ensure no stray coins or fries are left.

Watch Out

Stay away from 'gloss' enhancers on the steering wheel or pedals, it's bloody dangerous if your hands or feet slip. Also, if you're cleaning touchscreens, use a dry microfibre first; some of those chemicals can delaminate the screen coating if you're too heavy-handed.
06

Wrapping Up

Anyway, that's how I do it. It’s not rocket science, but following a system stops you from missing the easy stuff. Your car will feel 100% better to drive once that grit and dust is gone. Give it a crack this weekend and you'll see what I mean. Cheers!

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