Bring a tired interior back: leather, plastics and the details
A clean, supple interior makes an old car feel new. The safe order of work for leather seats, dashboards and touch points.
You spend every minute of every drive inside the car, so the interior is where detailing pays you back the most. The trick is working in the right order with gentle products, so you clean the surface without stripping or shining it.
Start dry, finish wet
- Clear everything out. Mats, door pockets, the lot.
- Vacuum top to bottom. Use a soft brush on vents and seams to loosen dust ahead of the nozzle.
- Clean hard surfaces. Dash, door cards and console.
- Clean then condition leather. Never condition dirty leather; you just seal the grime in.
- Glass last, so overspray from other products does not undo it.
Plastics and vinyl
Use an interior cleaner that leaves a matte, factory finish. Glossy dressings look greasy, attract dust and cause glare on the dashboard. Spray onto a microfiber rather than onto screens and switches.
Leather done properly
Modern car leather is usually coated, which is good news: it is durable and easy to clean. Work a gentle leather cleaner in with a soft brush, a section at a time, and wipe off the lifted dirt straight away. Pay attention to the side bolsters and the steering wheel, where skin oils build up.
Once dry, apply a conditioner sparingly, let it soak in and buff off any excess. Seats should feel soft and look natural, never slick.
The finishing touches
- Clean pedals so your shoes do not slip.
- Wipe seat belts with a damp microfiber and let them dry fully extended.
- Use a cotton bud for the gaps around buttons and air vents.
Do this properly once, then a quick wipe every couple of weeks keeps it there.
