I have my go-to list of products for detailing my vehicles as I've been detailing my own cars for decades.
The one product I'm having a hard time zeroing in on is an interior detailer. I've tried Gyeon's interior detailer and don't care for it. I think it's alcohol based. I've tried Meg's Interior Detailer but don't think it cleans very well and leaves a greasy-like coating.
What is your favorite interior detailer and why?
Nextzett Cockpit Premium is one of the few products that I buy by the 5L or 10L jug. If cleaning regularly (i.e. not heavily soiled), it even works in place of a dedicated leather cleaner.
I’ve tried Adam’s and Griot’s. I’ve also used ONR v5, KCx RRW, and ADS HERO for rinseless wipe downs.
I think of a detailer primarily for a final touch after a clean + protection. For that case, I love Griot’s Interior Detailer. I love the scent + the way everything looks and feels when I’m finished. Also love the sprayer on the bottle lol
Im in a committed relationship w/ Shine Supply Cruise. Water based and has UV protection included. For a pretty clean interior it works awesome. For tougher cleaning I use P&S xpress. Or even tougher I use Shine Supply’s Solution - APC diluted 10:1 or even a bit more.
Im really interested in trying Cruise. The smell alone sounds like it would be heavenly. Normally I just use ONR 256:1 for interior wipedowns with Surfex HD or Pol Star as my deep cleaners.
Crap how can I forget ONR. This isss the wipe down answer. I do this all the time.
I don't even like it as an exterior wash at this point. But it's the best for wipedowns! I just put 8 or so towels in a bucket with 2 gallons of water, one oz ONR and wheel it around the car with me as I do my wipedown. Pre-soak any nasties and just wipedown with a wrung out damp towel from the bucket.
Yea I much more often use it to get dirt off the interior. And even more often than that use it to clean my white sneakers 😅
Cruise all day and safe on Alcantara
https://preview.redd.it/6rekr6z4nq9g1.jpeg?width=1320&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0c538c9d75402ae699ee2cf2006b18c7c43b10ca
That’s the shot that says it all there
Yessir!! Where are you located? Detail professionally?
I’m in Nebraska. I was lead detail for a giant Ford dealership about 15 years ago and learned paint correction etc and have been obsessed with keeping my cars minty ever since. It’s my backup plan if my career ever fails which with AI could be real. When my kids get older may turn it into a side hustle.
Love that man and smart!!! It's a good side hustle for sure...so much so ive been doing it since 2009 full time ha.
Honestly I’m jealous. Corp life is brutal right now but is so stable for my fam. I just don’t really know where to start when I have exactly 0 free time with my little running kiddos running around. DM me how you did it making it full time!?
What about you?!?
here in Atlanta!! Run a mobile operation and got into product distribution few years ago, also have a podcast but put that on hold for a bit - an entreprenuer based podcast but many detailing oriented people, including Jeremy Stevens
That is killer. Nice work. I worry what to do in NE in the winter. Lots of ONR I suppose.
thanks man! I started mobile service completely waterless and it still runs that way - we focus mainly on maintenance / recurring clients for that. Shop we use all the goods lol. Anything i can do to help LMK!
What pad is that
scrub ninja max
After reading all the comments I can say one thing - it is a personal preference!
I have tried the following: - Gyeon Interior Detailer - Carpro Interior QD - Armour Pilot - Koch ASC - Koch Refresh cockpit - Meguiers interior detailer - ONR and other rinse less in different dilution. - APCs in 1:20 or more
……
I do prefer gyeon as it is something that won’t leave ANYTHING behind. I do have 4l of Pilot, after reading reviews, but it is not something that I enjoy at all.
I thought I was the only one that did not care for Pilot. I almost bought a gallon but was disciplined and paid the premium price for the 16oz bottle.
I do not like how the surfaces feel after I use it. I could do a wipe down after but that’s the purpose of this product. I’m going to give it away to a friend.
For me nothing beats ONR for wipe downs. You can even leave the surfaces saturated and it’ll all evaporate and leave everything clean and streak free.
What dilution are you using for onr?
256:1 for interiors.
I picked up these ONR dilution notes from Dr G at some point.
Rinseless washing- 256:1
Water softener – 256:1
Glass cleaner – 256:1
Clay bar lubricant – 64:1
Quick detailer – 16:1
Drying aid – 16:1
Interior cleaner – 256:1
Before pre-rinsing – 256:1
Engine bay cleaning – 16:1
Malco clean and shine is the best by miles
I have tried Nextzett, Carpro, and P&S. I prefer the nextzett for smell, ease of use(one pass), and absolutely no residue or shine. It is best for interiors that are not really dirty.
Carpro needs two passes to get rid of residue(2nd pass with damp towel). It is foamy and best for dirtier interiors and using with a brush.
I do not like P and S, even though it seems to be a crowd favorite in this sub. The smell is way too sweet, the sprayer bottle is terrible, and also requires two passes.
For the best value, Simple Green diluted 20:1 works really well for me in a Zep spray bottle.
Good luck.
303 product Aerospace Protectant, ONR, and Adam’s Interior cleaner are my go to’s. All to me have a great smell and do a great job. With 303 I use the Cleaner 1st then the Aerospace. The aerospace is a protectant of UV.
DIY’s interior detailer (“Interior Clean & Protect”) is really good. Pretty decent cleaning ability, leaves a nice finish and smoothness to surfaces, can used on nav screens and glass, and can be used as a vacuum aid. It also smells incredible.
I’ve used pretty much every DIY product and this is my favorite one aside from their tire dressing.
Edit: God forbid someone says they like a DIY product in here. Get over yourselves. If this same product was in a Koch Chemie bottle there’d be no downvotes. I promise Big Bad Yvan’s not going to break into your house and say “on the verge of dripping” while his head spins around on his neck
I agree. It actually has more cleaning power then people realize
I really like it too. Cleans well and minimal residue and leaves the surface looking OEM
Honestly I think Koch chemie is just as over hyped as influencer brands. I'm sure they make decent products but there are just as good or better products for much less money.
I like 3D LVP. I mix it 10:1 and it tackles everything. It has a faint leather scent. But I did have it stain once. But it leaked and was left on that spot for a while. Otherwise I recommend for every surface aside from alcatara
Adam’s interior cleaner is good for general upkeep. If you need take a brush and scrub some stuff had great success with CG Nonsense. Both leaves no residue or streaks.
Nextzett Cockpit Premium is great. I honestly still use Meguiar’s Quik Interior Detailer a far amount though - it’s cheap, available everywhere and doesn’t leave any shiny/greasy finish.
For actual scrubbing/cleaning, hands down Koch Chemie Pol Star. That stuff is incredible.
Need to try ADS Pilot, have heard a ton of good things about it.
I use P&S diluted followed with Nourish . APC diluted works great too.
I use two/three caps of meguiars gold class in a spray bottle, ever since I used a product and it damaged my interior I switched to this, no issues, mist on microfiber and wipe off
Any time there are multiple, equally valid, answers to the same question, says to me there is no one perfect answer for everyone.
I know its more expensive, but AMMO NYC's Lather applied with a brush works great, and smells even better. Also adds UV protectant, and isn't high gloss.
https://ammonyc.com/products/ammo-lather-interior-cleanser
Pol Star and Top Star by Koch Chemie combo
Chemical Guys Vinyl,Rubber,Plastic or VRP
I really like Jax Wax interior detailer.
Sonax Xtreme Interior Detailer is amazing
Used to use Adams or TW Inside Job without issues but now use ADS Pilot and it's noticeably nicer
CarPro InnerQD. Decent cleaning ability. Smells great. Matte finish. Repels dust. An all around great product.
DIY Detail rinse less wash. Get a towel damp to almost dry and wipe your surface. Get a second dry towel to dry and wipe away the suspended dirt. Plus it's cheap, an ounce of product to mix up a 2 gallon bucket costs me 50 cents CAD.
Armour Detail Supply’s Pilot. I’ve tried many and it’s my favorite. It actually cleans well even though I’m not sure Interior Detailers really need to. If something needs to be cleaned I move towards the Interior Cleaner such as Griots Interior Cleaner.
I also will use various rinseless washes.
I use a lot of DIY Detail products including their Interior Clean and Protect. It’s comfortably middle of the road as far as cleaning power but if the vehicle isn’t straight up r/carbage worthy DIYD’s ICP is the right product for me and my business. Additionally, a number of their products smell like freshly cut green apples which happens to be one of my favorite fragrances.
A youtuber in the southwest US named Serrano has mixed up an interior product he calls ‘Serrano’s Sauce’ which is Super Clean (yes the marine engine degreaser available at WalMart) at 10:1 and a few drops of Dawn dish soap. I personally don’t care for the level of off-label usage but my hat’s off to him and the wheelbarrow in which he carries his satchel for using that combo INSIDE the car.
ADS Pilot and Adam’s interior detailer that has the eucalyptus scent are my faves.