Ebony Interior
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 430
Likes: 18
From: Minnesota
Ebony Interior
OK I have had the car for like two days and have a minor issue. White powder like residue marks all over the ebony interior. Just touch interior anywhere and it seems to leave marks where you touch.
What have others found to be best to keep it looking nice? I have bought some low gloss Armor All mainly because that was about only stuff I saw at the store which was low gloss. I have not put it on yet.
I know the GM people said in the informational DVD which came with car how the matte interior finish was done on purpose as glossy plastic interiors were said to look cheap. But I loved the glossy black interior on my 1991 and after an entire summer it still looked clean and never had marks on it. In contrast this flat grayish black interior they call ebony seems to show everything.
Has anyone taken the gloss armor all product to it? I would think that the gloss stuff would soak in and make it where people touch the vinyl without leaving marks due to oils in the skins sucking into the flat finish. But I am sure it will create a nice glare on the window. Or will just a good coating of not gloss stuff put some moisture in the vinyl and keep it from showing so many marks?
What have others found to be best to keep it looking nice? I have bought some low gloss Armor All mainly because that was about only stuff I saw at the store which was low gloss. I have not put it on yet.
I know the GM people said in the informational DVD which came with car how the matte interior finish was done on purpose as glossy plastic interiors were said to look cheap. But I loved the glossy black interior on my 1991 and after an entire summer it still looked clean and never had marks on it. In contrast this flat grayish black interior they call ebony seems to show everything.
Has anyone taken the gloss armor all product to it? I would think that the gloss stuff would soak in and make it where people touch the vinyl without leaving marks due to oils in the skins sucking into the flat finish. But I am sure it will create a nice glare on the window. Or will just a good coating of not gloss stuff put some moisture in the vinyl and keep it from showing so many marks?
Last edited by montivette; Jul 3, 2005 at 08:04 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 4,500
Likes: 1,449
From: Pittsburgh PA
2025 C8 Stingray of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2024 C8 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I use Aromor All "Detailers Choice" on my Ebony interior about once a month. Looks great and no problems with scuff marks or white areas. I had the same problem until I started using it. 
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 10,516
Likes: 2
From: Virginia Bch VA
Cruise-In VI Veteran
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '06
Have used 2 items on the plastic.
Armorall Low Gloss - was OK
Stoner's Trim Shine - think that's the effect you're looking for.
Armorall Low Gloss - was OK
Stoner's Trim Shine - think that's the effect you're looking for.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 430
Likes: 18
From: Minnesota
Do not see anything called detailers choice on Armor All Site:
http://www.armorall.com/prodcat/index.html
Not sure about trim shine. Their site kind of makes it look like and exterior product similar to a tire spray. But I suppose it would take flat black plastic and make it shine. Are you using it yourself or just suggesting I use it cause I prefer a more glossy finish?
http://www.trimshine.com/index.htm
Mainly I just want to keep all the marks from appearing as much as possible and if it can be done with a more stock looking matter finish that would be fine. If it can't then I will move on to glossy stuff.
http://www.armorall.com/prodcat/index.html
Not sure about trim shine. Their site kind of makes it look like and exterior product similar to a tire spray. But I suppose it would take flat black plastic and make it shine. Are you using it yourself or just suggesting I use it cause I prefer a more glossy finish?
http://www.trimshine.com/index.htm
Mainly I just want to keep all the marks from appearing as much as possible and if it can be done with a more stock looking matter finish that would be fine. If it can't then I will move on to glossy stuff.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6,897
Likes: 181
From: Menifee (I.E.) CA
This has been discussed a million times. Don't put anything on it. Use a moistened soft towel (dark) or diaper and let air dry. Dust off fibers with small Cal Duster. Use Mr. Clean Eraser for door bottoms.
Once you put something on it, you'll always have to do it. The culprit is women with cream on their hands and you if you do.
The ebony is less forgiving than the C-5's, but don't worry about it. It'll take a tad more care when you detail the car.
Good luck!
Once you put something on it, you'll always have to do it. The culprit is women with cream on their hands and you if you do.
The ebony is less forgiving than the C-5's, but don't worry about it. It'll take a tad more care when you detail the car.
Good luck!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,517
Likes: 0
From: Palm beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08
Originally Posted by ufso
This has been discussed a million times. Don't put anything on it. Use a moistened soft towel (dark) or diaper and let air dry. Dust off fibers with small Cal Duster. Use Mr. Clean Eraser for door bottoms.
Once you put something on it, you'll always have to do it. The culprit is women with cream on their hands and you if you do.
The ebony is less forgiving than the C-5's, but don't worry about it. It'll take a tad more care when you detail the car.
Good luck!
Once you put something on it, you'll always have to do it. The culprit is women with cream on their hands and you if you do.
The ebony is less forgiving than the C-5's, but don't worry about it. It'll take a tad more care when you detail the car.
Good luck!
Racer
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by ufso
This has been discussed a million times. Don't put anything on it. Use a moistened soft towel (dark) or diaper and let air dry. Dust off fibers with small Cal Duster. Use Mr. Clean Eraser for door bottoms.
Once you put something on it, you'll always have to do it. The culprit is women with cream on their hands and you if you do.
The ebony is less forgiving than the C-5's, but don't worry about it. It'll take a tad more care when you detail the car.
Good luck!
Once you put something on it, you'll always have to do it. The culprit is women with cream on their hands and you if you do.
The ebony is less forgiving than the C-5's, but don't worry about it. It'll take a tad more care when you detail the car.
Good luck!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 5,611
Likes: 5
From: Thousand Oaks California
Originally Posted by ufso
This has been discussed a million times. Don't put anything on it. Use a moistened soft towel (dark) or diaper and let air dry. Dust off fibers with small Cal Duster. Use Mr. Clean Eraser for door bottoms.
Once you put something on it, you'll always have to do it. The culprit is women with cream on their hands and you if you do.
The ebony is less forgiving than the C-5's, but don't worry about it. It'll take a tad more care when you detail the car.
Good luck!
Once you put something on it, you'll always have to do it. The culprit is women with cream on their hands and you if you do.
The ebony is less forgiving than the C-5's, but don't worry about it. It'll take a tad more care when you detail the car.
Good luck!
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Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 26,714
Likes: 344
From: Houston, TX
I use leather conditioner on all the black surfaces in my interior. I found with my last convertible, that becuase I drive with the top down a lot that it really gets "dry" looking after a while. I used a leather conditioner, and six months later it still looked great.
The key to me is to put it on and just let it soak in. I wait at least a few hours, then go over it with a slightly damp rag. I don't use any of the "spray" conditioners like Armor All because I don't think it really moisturizes the material like a leather conditioner does.
Some may dissagree with my advice, and that's fine. But it works for me and I only have to do it about twice a year.
The key to me is to put it on and just let it soak in. I wait at least a few hours, then go over it with a slightly damp rag. I don't use any of the "spray" conditioners like Armor All because I don't think it really moisturizes the material like a leather conditioner does.
Some may dissagree with my advice, and that's fine. But it works for me and I only have to do it about twice a year.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 473
Likes: 0
From: Palm City FL
This post just wouldn't be complete without a Zaino comment.
Most of the time I use a damp cloth to wipe it down. Twice so far I have used the Zaino leather spray conditioner to go over the ebony. It seems to allow for an easier clean up for several weeks after application and does not leave any sheen to the interior.
Most of the time I use a damp cloth to wipe it down. Twice so far I have used the Zaino leather spray conditioner to go over the ebony. It seems to allow for an easier clean up for several weeks after application and does not leave any sheen to the interior.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,813
Likes: 287
From: Toronto Ontario Canada
Originally Posted by jschindler
I use leather conditioner on all the black surfaces in my interior. I found with my last convertible, that becuase I drive with the top down a lot that it really gets "dry" looking after a while. I used a leather conditioner, and six months later it still looked great.
The key to me is to put it on and just let it soak in. I wait at least a few hours, then go over it with a slightly damp rag. I don't use any of the "spray" conditioners like Armor All because I don't think it really moisturizes the material like a leather conditioner does.
Some may dissagree with my advice, and that's fine. But it works for me and I only have to do it about twice a year.
The key to me is to put it on and just let it soak in. I wait at least a few hours, then go over it with a slightly damp rag. I don't use any of the "spray" conditioners like Armor All because I don't think it really moisturizes the material like a leather conditioner does.
Some may dissagree with my advice, and that's fine. But it works for me and I only have to do it about twice a year.
