News & Advice

Vinyl, Rubber and Plastic

The interior of your car is constantly exposed to sunlight and heat, and over time the parts of the interior made of plastic, rubber, or vinyl-like dashboards or seats-will become discoloured and could dry out and crack if not treated properly.

Protectants are the most effective way to treat these surfaces because they contain surfactants to remove dirt, silicone oil for lubrication, and UV protection agents.

Vinyl or Rubber Floor Mats

• If your floor mats are made of rubber or vinyl, remove them from the car and clean with soap and water.
• Soap and water dries out when applied to a soft surface, so make sure to follow up with a low-gloss Protectant to penetrate the soft surface and give them extra shine and UV protection.
• If using a Protectant spray, it is better to spray it directly onto the surface rather than onto a cloth, which will absorb some of its cleaning and protective agents.
• Try using Carpet & Seat Wipes for the quick removal of one-off spillages and stains.

Vinyl Seats

• To clean vinyl seats, use soap and water, Protectant, or Armor All Carpet & Seat Wipes. If soap and water, make sure to use as little water as possible and dry quickly so that it doesn't streak the vinyl or soak through to the cushion and padding.
• Use a brush or toothbrush along seams to get into the pleats.
• After cleaning, dress with a Protectant to protect from the sun. If the vinyl is already faded from the sun, repeated applications could help restore its lustre.
• Different Protectant products have different shine levels. Select the shine level you prefer.

Why not check out our Car Care Checklists to make sure you've got it covered?