Professional Interior Door Panel Restoration and Protection

Park the vehicle in a fully shaded area with a concrete or paved floor to minimise rising dust. Ensure the interior surfaces are cool to the touch. In an Australian summer, attempting to clean a 50°C door panel will cause the cleaner to flash (evaporate) instantly, leaving behind chemical spotting and streaks that are difficult to remove.

Check the condition of the window switches and mirror controls. If the vehicle has aftermarket window tinting, ensure your cleaners are ammonia-free. Use a small piece of painter's tape to cover sensitive speaker tweeters if they are located high on the door, as direct liquid ingress can damage the diaphragm.

Before applying any liquids, use a vacuum with a brush attachment and compressed air to remove loose red dust from the map pockets and crevices. If you apply liquid to heavy dust, you create a 'mud' that gets pushed deeper into the grain of the plastic, making restoration significantly harder.

If using a concentrated APC, dilute it to a 'medium duty' ratio (typically 1:10 or 1:15). In the high heat of January, a weaker solution used with more agitation is safer and more effective than a strong solution that might bleach the plastic.

Spray your interior cleaner directly onto a boar's hair brush rather than the panel. This prevents 'overspray' on the glass. Work in a 20cm x 20cm section, using circular motions to lather the cleaner. Look for the foam turning brown or orange—this indicates the red dust and body oils are being suspended in the solution.

Immediately wipe the agitated section with a damp microfibre towel to pick up the suspended dirt. Follow up instantly with a secondary dry microfibre towel. This 'dry-buffing' ensures no chemical residue is left to bake into the plastic, which is a common cause of white streak marks in high-heat environments.

Armrests accumulate the highest concentration of sweat, salt, and sunscreen (especially Zinc Oxide, which is notoriously difficult to remove). Apply a slightly heavier amount of cleaner and let it dwell for 30 seconds. Use a soft-bristle detailing brush to work the cleaner into the stitching where salt crystals often hide.

Speaker grilles are magnets for dust. Do not spray liquid into them. Instead, use a 'dry' foam method: agitate the cleaner in a cup to create thick foam, apply only the foam to a brush, and gently brush the grille. Use compressed air to blow the foam and trapped dust OUT of the holes, rather than pushing it in.

For black shoe scuffs on the lower kick-plate, try a dedicated rubber cleaner first. If the mark remains, use a damp magic eraser with extremely light pressure. Stop immediately once the mark is gone; these sponges are abrasive and will remove the factory texture if overused.

For window switches, spray cleaner onto a short-pile microfibre or a cotton bud. Never spray directly into the switch housing. Clean the crevices between buttons where skin cells and dust create a sticky residue. Dry thoroughly with a burst of compressed air.

Roll the window down. Clean the 'felt' or rubber weatherstripping at the top of the door panel. This area often holds salt and grit that scratches window tint. Use a damp cloth wrapped around a credit card to slide through the narrow channel, removing hidden debris.

While the door is open, wipe the painted inner frame and the rubber 'bellows' that house the wiring. Use a dedicated waterless wash or a quick detailer here. This prevents dirt from the jambs from blowing back onto your clean interior panels.

Close the door and view the panel from multiple angles using a bright LED torch. Look for 'high spots' or uneven cleaning. If you see 'tiger stripes' (uneven cleaning lines), re-clean that section with a more dilute solution and a fresh towel.

Once the panel is bone dry, apply your UV protectant to a microfibre applicator pad. Wipe onto the panel in even, overlapping passes. Ensure full coverage on the top edge near the glass, as this receives the most UV 'hit'. Allow to bond for 3-5 minutes.

Take a clean, dry microfibre and buff the entire door panel. This removes excess product and levels the finish to a factory-matte appearance. In the Australian sun, any excess protectant will become greasy and attract dust, so this buffing step is non-negotiable.