Restoring and Protecting Your Car's Interior Door Panels

Never clean your interior in the direct Aussie sun. The chemicals will dry too fast and leave streaks that are a nightmare to remove. If it's 40 degrees out, do it in the garage or wait until the arvo.

Chuck out the old Maccas bags, receipts, and loose change. You'd be surprised how much grit hides under a forgotten mask or gum wrapper.

If you've got a blower or compressed air, give the door a quick blast. Focus on the speakers and the window seals. You want that loose dust gone before it turns into mud.

Vacuum the door pockets and the carpeted section at the bottom. Use the brush attachment so you don't scratch the plastic.

Always test your cleaner on a hidden spot, like the very bottom of the door pocket. I made this mistake once on a black Commodore, the cleaner was too strong and slightly discoloured the plastic. Check it first.

Think of the door in four sections: top rail, middle (armrest/handle), lower pockets, and the jambs. Work one section at a time.

Lower the window slightly. Clean the rubber felt at the top. This is where salt and grit hide, which eventually scratches your tint. Use a damp microfiber.

Don't soak the door. Mist your APC onto your brush or scrub pad first, then apply to the plastic. This prevents runs and keep moisture out of the electronics.

Use your boar's hair brush in circular motions. You'll see the foam turn brown or grey, that's the red dust and skin oils coming out.

For those white marks on the armrest, use a dedicated interior scrub pad. If that doesn't work, a tiny bit of steam usually does the trick. Be gentle; don't melt the vinyl!

Use a dry Q-tip or a very slightly damp brush for the window switches. Water and electronics don't mix, so don't be a hero here.

Use a fresh microfiber to buff away the dirty suds. Use a 'flip and wipe' technique so you're always using a clean side of the cloth.

Don't spray cleaner into the speakers! Spray the brush, agitate the grille, and then use the vacuum to suck the dust out of the holes.

For those black rubber marks from boots, try a dedicated rubber cleaner. If they're stubborn, a Magic Eraser with heaps of lubricant (APC) works, but go light. It's essentially sandpaper.

If you have leather, switch to your pH-neutral leather cleaner. Use a soft brush. Real leather doesn't like the harsh degreasers found in some APCs.

Open the door wide. Clean the metal frame, the hinges, and the rubber bellows. This is where that coastal salt spray loves to sit and cause rust.

Go over everything with a dry towel. Ensure no moisture is sitting in the cracks. Use your blower if you have one.

Apply your UV protectant to a microfiber applicator, not the door. Wipe it on evenly. This provides the barrier against the Aussie sun.

Wait 5 minutes for the protectant to bond, then buff it with a clean, dry microfiber. This removes any excess grease and gives that factory finish.