What You'll Learn
Aussie Conditions
Look, we've all seen it, that once-black plastic around the gear shifter or the door pulls turning a nasty shade of battleship gray. Between our brutal UV levels and the red dust that seems to find its way into every crack, Aussie interiors take a massive beating. This guide is for anyone who wants to bring that 'new car' feel back without just slathering it in greasy silicone that'll melt in the next 40-degree heatwave.
The Reality of Aussie Interiors
The Kit You'll Need
What You'll Need
While you're here...
Getting Ready
Get it out of the sun
Don't even try this if the plastics are hot to the touch. Park it in the shade or the garage and let it cool down for an hour. If the plastic is hot, your cleaner will just flash off and leave streaks.
The Big Vac
Vacuum everything. Use the brush attachment to agitate the dust in the cup holders and gear gaiters. If you leave grit there and start wiping, you're just going to scratch the plastic.
Clear the decks
Remove all your coins, old Maccas receipts, and charging cables. You need a clear run at every surface.
The Restoration Process
Initial Wipe Down
Give everything a quick wipe with a damp (not soaking) microfibre to get the top layer of Aussie dust off.
The Deep Clean
Spray your interior cleaner onto your brush, not directly onto the console. This prevents 'over-spray' from getting into electronics or behind screens. Work the brush in circular motions to create a light foam.
Agitate the Grain
Modern car plastics have a fake leather grain. Dust and skin oils get trapped in those valleys. Really work the brush in there. I learned this the hard way when I did a quick wipe on a BMW and realized later the 'leather' was still gray in the cracks.
Wipe and Inspect
Wipe away the spent cleaner with a fresh microfibre. If the cloth comes away black or brown, go again. You want that surface surgically clean.
Tackle the 'Gunk'
For sticky stuff in the cup holders (we've all spilled a Flat White or a Coke), use a bit more cleaner and let it dwell for 60 seconds before scrubbing.
The Magic Eraser Trick
If you have scuffs on the lower door plastics from boots, gently, and I mean gently, use a damp magic eraser. Don't do this on 'soft touch' plastics or painted trim, or you'll rub the finish right off. (Learned that lesson the expensive way on a Golf GTI).
De-greasing
Use your IPA mix on a cloth for the steering wheel and gear knob. These areas get the most skin oil and need to be totally stripped before you apply protection.
Apply the Restorer
Chuck a few drops of your protectant (like 303 or Gtechniq) onto an applicator pad. Work it into the plastic in sections. You'll see the colour start to deepen immediately.
The Dwell Time
Let the product sit for about 5-10 minutes. It needs time to 'bond' or soak into the pores of the plastic.
The Final Buff
This is the most important step. Take a clean, dry microfibre and buff the whole surface. This removes any excess grease and leaves a factory matte finish rather than a cheap-looking shine.
Detail the Crevices
Use your detail stick or toothpick to get any dried wax or cleaner out of the joins between plastic panels.
Watch Out
The 'Sun-Baked' Solution
Watch Out
Keeping it Mint
Your Questions Answered
Can I use Armor All?
How do I get red dust out of the grain?
My trim is scratched, will this fix it?
Is 303 Aerospace really that good?
Why is my console sticky after cleaning?
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