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Interior Hard Surface Dress and Protect
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Interior Hard Surface Dress and Protect

Once the interior hard surfaces within a vehicle are cleaned and dried, it is beneficial to dress and protect the leather, vinyl, rubber, woodgrain, and chrome surfaces. Dressing and protecting, enhances and restores the appearance of these surfaces while adding a layer of repellency, providing a lasting shine.

There are three main categories of interior hard surface materials; (1) leather surfaces, (2) vinyl and rubber surfaces, and (3) woodgrain and chrome surfaces. Different methods are used to dress and protect each interior hard surface material category.

For leather surfaces, a leather conditioner is used; SOFT TOUCH. As a deep penetrating lotion, SOFT TOUCH moisturizes, protects, and preserves smooth leather. SOFT TOUCH is simple to apply, imparts a fresh leather fragrance to all areas conditioners, and buffs to a lustrous sheen, bringing out the distinctiveness of leather.

Leather conditioning is best used as a preventative, routine solution to eliminate and avoid permanent brittleness to leather surfaces. The frequency of conditioning leather is dependent on how often the leather is used; however, it is recommended to condition leather every 6 months.

For vinyl and rubber surfaces, a water-based dressing and protectant is used. Water-based dressings and protectants include:
  • AQUA SHIELD: an environmentally friendly, V.O.C. compliant, water and silicone dressing that produces a high-gloss finish.
  • ENCHANTER ULTIMATE: a water and silicone dressing that produces a high-gloss finish.
  • ULTRA SHIELD: a water and silicone dressing that produces a matt, mid-gloss finish.
  • SAFETY SHINE: a water and non-silicone dressing that produces a mid-gloss finish. Ideal for body shop applications; body shop safe.
For woodgrain and chrome surfaces, a finishing spray is used; PARADE. PARADE is ideal for removing fingerprints, smudges, and surface dust while enhancing lustre. Apply PARADE to woodgrain and chrome surfaces once the surrounding leather, vinyl, and rubber surfaces are dressed and protected to leave them revitalized.

The time to dress and protect the interior hard surfaces is dependent on the number of doors, size of the vehicle interior, and the material type(s) for the protectant application technique. Once this task is complete, the interior hard surfaces will be clean, protected, restored, and sealed.

Safety supplies include goggles, an apron, and impervious gloves. You will require air pressure equipment (for use with the air gun) to complete this task. View the products used tab for Auto Valet products and accessories relating to this detailing task.

AREAS OF APPLICATION

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Air Vents

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Console

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Dashboard

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Door Panels

PRODUCTS USED
PRODUCTS USED DIRECTIONS TIPS FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Directions

METHOD 1: LEATHER SURFACES

Uses a leather conditioner.

STEP 1: PREPARE THE AREAS OF APPLICATION

Complete the interior hard-surface clean. Ensure the leather surfaces are thoroughly cleaned and dry; free of stains and debris.

STEP 2: APPLY THE CONDITIONER

Shake the SOFT TOUCH bottle well. Dispense a small dab of SOFT TOUCH onto a soft dry microfiber towel or wax applicator pad. Work SOFT TOUCH into the areas of application using smooth strokes. Allow SOFT TOUCH to penetrate for 2 to 5 minutes, until dry to the touch.

STEP 3: BUFF THE AREAS OF APPLICATION

Using a soft, dry microfiber towel, buff the areas of application and remove excess product.

STEP 4: REVIEW YOUR WORK

Review your work, and if necessary, touch up any missed areas by repeating steps 2 to 3. Use steering wheel covers to protect and prolong the clean steering wheel from accumulating dirt and grime.

METHOD 2: VINYL AND RUBBER SURFACES

Uses a water-based dressing and protectant.

STEP 1: PREPARE THE AREAS OF APPLICATION

Complete the interior hard surface clean. Ensure the vinyl and rubber surfaces are thoroughly cleaned and dry; free of stains and debris.

STEP 2: APPLY THE DRESSING AND PROTECTANT

Use a spray bottle and a trigger sprayer nozzle; spray the water-based dressing of choice onto a soft applicator pad. Apply the sprayed soft applicator pad wiping in even, uniform strokes to cover the areas of application. Never apply a dressing to the steering wheel, accelerator, or brake pedals.

STEP 3: DRY THE AREAS OF APPLICATION

Allow the water-based dressing to air dry (approximately 10 minutes), evenly wipe off the excess with a clean, soft microfiber towel, or blow the excess into a microfiber towel.

STEP 4: REVIEW YOUR WORK

Review work and, if necessary, touch up any missed areas by repeating steps 2 to 3. Use steering wheel covers to protect and prolong the clean steering wheel from accumulating dirt and grime.

METHOD 3: WOODGRAIN AND CHROME SURFACES

Uses a finishing spray.

STEP 1: PREPARE THE AREAS OF APPLICATION

Complete the interior hard surface clean. Ensure the woodgrain and chrome surfaces are thoroughly cleaned and dry; free of stains and debris. Ensure surrounding leather, vinyl, and rubber surfaces are dressed and protected before woodgrain and chrome surfaces.

STEP 2: APPLY THE FINISHING SPRAY

Use a spray bottle and a trigger sprayer nozzle; spray PARADE onto a clean, soft microfiber towel. Apply the sprayed microfiber towel wiping in even, uniform strokes to cover the areas of application. Allow the areas of application to dry, or wipe with a clean, dry cloth for an instant shine.

STEP 3: REVIEW YOUR WORK

Review your work, and if necessary, touch up any missed areas by repeating step 2. Use steering wheel covers to protect and prolong the clean steering wheel from accumulating dirt and grime.

Tips

  • Use steering wheel covers to protect and prolong the clean steering wheel from accumulating dirt and grime.
  • Be sure to carefully read and follow all product instructions and precautions, on the product labels.

LEATHER SURFACES

  • Do not use SOFT TOUCH on suede or rough leather. Test all surfaces in an inconspicuous area for colour fastness.
  • Only apply SOFT TOUCH to cool surfaces.

VINYL AND RUBBER SURFACES

  • Dressings and protectants can make surfaces slippery. Do not apply dressings or protectants to seats, steering wheel, or foot controls.
  • Older vinyl surfaces typically soak dressings and protectants quickly. Ensure to coat these areas multiple times, if required, to achieve a uniform appearance.
  • If the dressing and protectant get onto the surrounding unwanted surfaces while applying, use PARADE with a soft, microfiber cloth to wipe the areas clean.

WOODGRAIN AND CHROME SURFACES

  • Apply PARADE to the woodgrain and chrome surfaces after leather, vinyl, and rubber surfaces are treated.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

It is recommended to use SOFT TOUCH to condition interior smooth leather surfaces after using a leather cleaner; DEEP CLEAN. SOFT TOUCH moisturizes, protects, and preserves smooth leather; and buffs to a lustrous sheen bringing out the distinctiveness of leather surfaces.

Leather is a natural substance and is coated with resins prior to vehicle installation. Leather surfaces require special care to keep them soft and moisturized; eliminating possibilities of brittleness. Leather conditioners are designed to moisturize and protect leather from drying out over time. Emollients, softening agents, are incorporated into the formula, adding natural oils back into leather surfaces. SOFT TOUCH is a leather conditioner, designed to be safe on smooth leather surfaces. Not recommended for use on leather suede.

Leather conditioning is best used as a preventative, routine solution to eliminate and avoid permanent brittleness to leather surfaces. The frequency of conditioning leather is dependent on how often the leather is used; however, it is recommended to condition leather every 6 months. Clean leather with DEEP CLEAN before conditioning with SOFT TOUCH.

Dressings and protectants are liquid products designed to shine and protect vinyl and rubber surfaces; assisting to repel water and resist detergents. A shine agent (e.g., silicone, mineral oil, or glycerin) is delivered to the rubber or vinyl surfaces using a carrier that evaporates once applied. The carriers used for water-based and solvent-based dressings and protectants is what differs. For solvent-based dressings and protectants the carrier is a blend of solvents; while for water-based dressings and protectants the carrier is water.

Solvent based dressings and protectants are typically more durable than water-based dressings and protectants. This is a result of solvents causing the pores of rubber and vinyl to open, enabling the shine agent to penetrate the surface. Shine agents in water-based dressings and protectants remain on the surface, and commonly rinse off more readily. Due to Auto Valet advanced formulation technology the AQUA SHIELD and ENCHANTER ULTIMATE water-based dressings and protectants provide comparable durability to solvent-based dressings.

Solvent based dressings and protectants are best used for vehicle exterior applications such as tires, mouldings, bumpers, vinyl trim, and vinyl tops. Due to flammability, solvent-based dressings and protectants are not to be used to dress engine compartments. If solvent-based dressings and protectants are used for interior applications, care must be taken as repeated applications to surfaces exposed to direct sunlight (i.e., dashboards) can lead to cracking. Solvent based dressings and protectants can stain certain fascia’s, if used incorrectly.

Water based dressings and protectants can be used for both interior and exterior applications; and are most commonly used for interior applications over solvent-based products. Use water-based dressings and protectants on areas that are made with rubber, vinyl, leather, and wood (includes engine compartments).

There are currently four (4) Auto Valet water based dressings and protectants available. All water based dressings and protectants are ideal for use in engine compartments and vehicle interiors.

  • AQUA SHIELD: an environmentally friendly, V.O.C. compliant, water and silicone dressing that produces a high gloss finish.
  • ENCHANTER ULTIMATE: a water and silicone dressing that produces a high gloss finish.
  • ULTRA SHIELD: a water and silicone dressing that produces a matt, mid gloss finish.
  • SAFETY SHINE: a water and non-silicone dressing that produces a medium glossy finish. Ideal for body shop applications.

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