Mercededs MB tex & interior door cleaning

W123-80's · 12-02-2016 11:08AM #1

Hello all,

I plan on a good interior clean of my bus this weekend.
Its actually not that dirty, more years of dust built up.

I want to clean the seats. See pic attached

I also want to give the door plastics a good clean. See pic attached

I know both will come up well, I am just unsure what is the best product to use on both.

Any tips/advice appreciated.

Thanks!

Curran · 12-02-2016 12:05PM

For the seats you will need a good leather cleaner - ideally a liquid version that you can spray on, agitate with a medium stiffness brush, and wipe clean with a microfibre cloth.

For the door handles, an All Purpose Cleaner, diluted to the necessary strength, and the same routine, spray on, agitate, wipe clean. Repeat if necessary.

Just a note on the leather; modern leathers are not breathable and thus don't take conditioning like old leather, pre circa 1990. The manufacturing process has changed, and leather doesn't crack and split like it used to if not conditioned. How to tell the difference...will notice if you were to drop a few droplets water onto the leather if it doesn't absorb you have non breathable leather.
Now the jury is out on whether or not conditioning of modern leather makes any difference or not. But given a conditioner doesn't not absorb it can lead to it attracting dirt quicker than it would if they weren't conditioned.
I'm of the opinion to clean them well and leave them. Keep the fresh by giving them a wipe down every 3rd or 4th time you are vacuuming the interior (assuming you do the reasonably regularly)

W123-80's · 12-02-2016 12:15PM

Curran wrote: »

For the seats you will need a good leather cleaner - ideally a liquid version that you can spray on, agitate with a medium stiffness brush, and wipe clean with a microfibre cloth.

For the door handles, an All Purpose Cleaner, diluted to the necessary strength, and the same routine, spray on, agitate, wipe clean. Repeat if necessary.

Just a note on the leather; modern leathers are not breathable and thus don't take conditioning like old leather, pre circa 1990. The manufacturing process has changed, and leather doesn't crack and split like it used to if not conditioned. How to tell the difference...will notice if you were to drop a few droplets water onto the leather if it doesn't absorb you have non breathable leather.
Now the jury is out on whether or not conditioning of modern leather makes any difference or not. But given a conditioner doesn't not absorb it can lead to it attracting dirt quicker than it would if they weren't conditioned.
I'm of the opinion to clean them well and leave them. Keep the fresh by giving them a wipe down every 3rd or 4th time you are vacuuming the interior (assuming you do the reasonably regularly)

Thanks Curran.

I'll go with that.
Any recommendation on a good brand of leather cleaner I can pick up in motor factors, halfords etc?

Curran · 12-02-2016 12:19PM

I believe the AutoGlym Leather Cleaner is OK - but Ive no personal experience with it.

Spike Witwicky · 12-02-2016 02:31PM

I had a C180K with MBtex seats. AFAIK its not real leather but vinyl. Personally i have used AG Leather Cleaner and it was fine. I also used a diluted APC and had no issues.

As its not real leather i used AG Vinyl and Rubber Care but found it just made the seats slippy

W123-80's · 12-02-2016 04:03PM

Spike Witwicky wrote: »

I had a C180K with MBtex seats. AFAIK its not real leather but vinyl. Personally i have used AG Leather Cleaner and it was fine. I also used a diluted APC and had no issues.

As its not real leather i used AG Vinyl and Rubber Care but found it just made the seats slippy

Thanks, my understanding also is that MB Tex is not real leather.

Foxhole Norman · 12-02-2016 04:13PM

I use the AG Leather cleaner a good bit and find it very good, takes out pretty much all dirt and grime. Diluted APC would do a good job too.

Curran · 12-02-2016 04:14PM

OP; if using an APC, be sure to start with a mild dilution and work up to the necessary strength to do the job, as you may risk drying out whatever material it is!

JP 1800 · 14-02-2016 12:56AM

I find that the magic sponges work quite well, as stated mb tex is vinyl and can be cleaned with detergents and vinyl cleaners. HG PVC cleaner is another good cleaner.

Mercededs MB tex & interior door cleaning

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