what is everyones trick or tip for cleaning those hard to reach places in the dash? i've used q-tips and they work somewhat but i didn't know if there was a faster way. or what everyone uses to clean. i'm not big on armor all and the like but this truck needs a deep interior cleaning.

 

i like toothbrushes and paint brushes myself

 

do you just use them dry or do you use any type of cleaner? everything i seem to be using just makes it wet, it isn't really cleaning.

 

Use a toothbrush and some detergent cleaner. 409 will do as will most of the stuff in the cleaning aisle. Wipe it off and dry it. At the detail shop I own, we favor silicone treatment over others, if we treat at all.

 

cool... thanks pbeering

 

If you just have a "dust problem" in the cab, you might try hitting it with the air compressor. I've done this to vehicles I've had... around here, dust seems to get everywhere, and hosing the dashboard off seems to help get a lot of it.

 

i dont own an air compressor and its not dust... its dirt from 25 years of not being taken care of.

 

simple green works pretty good esp on grime and grease i used it in my freighliner but there were spots where the dash was painted and it bubbled but i don't know it its the cleaner , poor manufacturing, or something else i was only 7 months old when it did it. both Armor all cleaning wipes work pretty good too. i just use toothbrush and water in my personal vehicle i have a fear of the vinyl cracking or shrinking so i don't use anything/

 

cool... thanks. i'm scared of bubbling it up with anything too harsh... guess i'll try the toothbrush and see what i can do.

 

May want to try bobbers, can purchase in various size, shapes, and textures, and use a mild polising or cleaning agent. I purchased a 'flex shaft' so I could get to these hard to get to spots, hooked it up to a motor I had laying around. It can get pricey, if do not intend using much, may forego the motor and use variable speed, dremel, or something simular. If should consider going with the flex shaft, suggest going for quality, HF shaft snapped within minutes, purchased replacement thru Eastwood and it worked great. Also had to purchase adapter to hook up the flex shaft to motor shaft. Took a 'Satin' finish intake manifold to 'Polished' and will never to that again. Also came in handy using flex shaft with drill bit, or grinding wheel for the hard to get to area's.

dave

 

Since you are going after long-time gunk try this approach:

1. Spray the target area with the detergent.
2. Allow it to "soak" for about a minute.
3. Scrub with your toothbrush. (The fancy ones with the raised bristles work well for this)
4. Wipe with a damp cloth.
5. Repeat as needed.

A cotton swab and some tootpicks can also come in handy, as will a small screw driver and some clean shop rags.

Work in a small section, out of the sun. Once clean, treat with the protectant of choice.

 

I use my wifes cleaning supplies, Clorox wipes and Qtips.

 

When I use a toothbrush for cleaning, many times I'll heat the shaft and bend the head
to make it easier to use without getting my knuckles in the way. For textured plastics
with skin oil or tobacco smoke residue, I use a small container of straight ammonia.
I dip the brush in it, clean a small area, and wipe the area with a sponge. Afterwards
I use a preservative. Don't use it on painted surfaces, though.

 

I like using that air in a can type stuff. You know? The canned air people use to clean their keyboards off with.

 

compressed air? sounds good but i know it wont cut through the 25 years of gunk i've got to do but it is a good suggestion. thanks.