Restoring Your Trim and Console from Red Dust and Sun Damage

Empty the center console and glovebox. Chuck the old Maccas receipts and the spare fuses you've got rolling around. You need a clear workspace.

If you've got compressed air, blow out the vents and buttons first. If not, go straight to the vacuum. Use the brush attachment so you don't scratch the plastic while sucking up the loose sand and grit.

Find a small, hidden spot (like the bottom of the door pocket) and wipe a bit of your APC on there. Make sure it doesn't discolour the plastic. Most modern cars are fine, but some older Euros have a 'soft touch' coating that turns to goo if you use the wrong stuff.

Before adding any liquid, use a dry detailing brush on the seams of the console and around the buttons. This loosens the red dust. If you wet it too early, you just create 'mud' that's harder to get out of the cracks.

One of the biggest mistakes I see is people spraying cleaner directly onto the console. It gets behind the screens and into the electronics. Spray your APC onto your brush or cloth first, then work it in.

Start with the center console and move outwards. Use the brush in circular motions to agitate the dirt out of the plastic grain. You'll see the foam turn brown or orange, that's the outback coming out of your trim.

Wipe the section clean with a damp microfibre before the cleaner has a chance to dry. If it dries, you're just moving the dirt around.

If you've got scuff marks from boots on the lower trim, try a damp microfibre first. If they won't budge, give them a very light rub with a Magic Eraser. Be careful though, these are basically ultra-fine sandpaper and they will remove the texture if you go too hard.

These are usually the grossest part. If the rubber inserts come out, take them to the kitchen sink and scrub them with warm soapy water. If not, use your cotton buds to get into the corners.

Once everything is dry, have a look at the grain. If it still looks a bit 'rusty' or orange in the low spots, you might need a second pass with a stiffer brush. I learned this the hard way on a black Commodore I did for a mate, I thought it was clean until it dried and all the red dust reappeared.

Now for the important bit. Apply your UV protectant (like 303) to a fresh microfibre or applicator pad. Wipe it on evenly. It'll look a bit shiny at first, but don't panic.

Wait about 5 minutes for the protectant to soak in, then take a clean, dry microfibre and buff the entire surface. This removes the excess oil and leaves that nice, new-car matte finish.

Don't use your plastic cleaner on the infotainment screen or the clear plastic over the gauges. Use a dedicated glass cleaner or just a slightly damp, clean microfibre. These scratch if you even look at them funny.