Clean/Restore automotive vinyl - Help

[KNS]

I was cleaning off a an interior door panel (a stubborn stain) and tired a little bit of Dawn dishwashing liquid on a damp sponge. It got the stain out but now it looks like I've taken some of the color out of the vinyl (burgundy color). I tried going over it with some interior vinyl/rubber protectant I had on hand (303) and it helped some but it still looks like it has a slightly "bleached" look to the vinyl.

Did I screw it up? Anyone know of a way to clean or restore the color? I always figured vinyl was a pretty tough material.

Thanks

[Scott Douglas]

I've only used this stuff on our vinyl:
https://www.chemicalguys.com/products/vrp-vinyl-rubber-plastic-shine-and-protectant

It works great on the CR-V's black side molding that gets faded from sitting in the sun.
Not sure if it would bring the color back on your door panel or not. I don't think it would hurt it any more than has already happened though.

[KNS]

Thanks for the reply.

I just did some internet searching and mild dish detergent should not strip the color out of the vinyl. Not sure out it got the faded look.

[Scott Douglas]

Does it 'see' sun when the car is parked?

[Scott Douglas]

All I can tell you is our side molding looks like it's fading to grey but the VRP brings it right back to black no problem.

[KNS]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

Does it 'see' sun when the car is parked?

Car is in the garage 90% of the time when not driving.

The vinyl is clean but it "seems" like some color has been stripped out of it. The 303 helps quite a bit because it sort gives it that wet-ish look.

[Scott Douglas]

I think you'd like the way the VRP works better than the 303.

[look 171]

Originally Posted by Scott Douglas

All I can tell you is our side molding looks like it's fading to grey but the VRP brings it right back to black no problem.

How long does it last, Scott?

[KNS]

Scott,

Do you use the VRP on interior vinyl? I don't necessarily want the vinyl (door panels) do look shiny.

[Scott Douglas]

I've put it on our CR-V side molding twice now, @6-8 months apart. It depends on how much time the car sits in the sun while on the driveway.
It doesn't look shiny once it's buffed and absorbed. The molding takes on it's original finish look.
I have used it inside, but not as extensively as on the molding. It doesn't look shiny like Armorall leaves stuff looking and feeling. I hate that stuff with a passion.

[Scott Douglas]

Here's a shot of the side of our CR-V that gets the sun when it is parked in the driveway.
As you can see, the molding looks like new, doesn't 'feel' wet or greasey at all either.
I'm very pleased with how it works, having tried other stuff like back to black etc.

The CR-V is a 2013 model year, so it's not 'young' if you know what I mean.

[KNS]

Well, I tried cleaning the opposite side door panel with just a wet, hot towel and got similar results with looking sort of parched, just not quite same. I think the vinyl has gotten a deep thorough cleaning. The trick is going to be restoring the luster.

[look 171]

Thanks Scott. will give it a go

[Scott Douglas]

I remember using it on the accordions on my SC and they turned out like new.
I have a picture, somewhere.....

[look 171]

I have used back to black or 303 and they seem to work but eventually fades to gray again within a couple or three weeks. But these are my daily drivers and they live outside. I will give it a go on my 930. The whale tail's rubber parts isn't as black as it once was.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I have tried VRP on my truck’s fading black tonneau cover and it didn’t do much. Then when it rained, the VRP rinse-off left streaks down the side of my truck bed. I wasn’t impressed and don’t find it to be any better than the other back to black type products. I also find it to be on the greasy side and wouldn’t want to use it inside.

As to the OPs question, it sounds like you cleaned those sections better than the adjacent panels. You could try wiping everything down to get a consistent panel, and then going back over it with a high gloss interior detailing product to get the color and shine back. I personally use Chemical Guys or Griott’s Garage interior detailing products but there are lots of options.

[javadog]

Sounds like you cleaned it and just need to clean the rest. Hard to say without looking at it in person.

Be careful with the products that "restore" black finishes as many are just silicone. You don't want that near paint if you ever need to refinish the paint in the future. I have a friend that has owned a restoration shop for 40 years and he won't even let those products into his shop.

[911 Rod]

Or maybe it's the original colour now?

[KNS]

I tried the Chemical Guys VRP product suggested above and it seems to have brought the color back. It also has a shiny, wet look which is a bit more than I prefer but hopefully that will lessen over time. This is on an interior door panel so not near any paint.

I've been very happy with 303 product on exterior rubber trim and will continue using that in those areas. I used it for years when I lived in Arizona and it seemed to really preserve rubber trim under the intense sun.

[gregpark]

I think javadog's right, clean the rest as you cleaned the one panel to blend it all then never use dish soap again. I just use cleaner specifically for vinyl then use this stuff, I think it might bring back the color a bit. A detail guy turned me on to it after I asked him why my car smelled so nice.
Note to self: need more coconut creme