Interior - white haze?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
Interior - white haze?
Just got my Vette out for the first time this spring - it has been stored in a heated garage all winter - started several times periodically this winter. Noticed that the door panels and console lid had a white haze on them. Does anyone else have this problem? I was a little disappointed when I saw this. Also, what is the best product to clean this off without making the door panels shiny?
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
Just a guess but the haze may be from moisture/condensation that occured over the winter. Next time, if you didn't use it, try damp rid or a similar product. To remove you can try iso alchol on a small spot, most times it will remove the white residue and restore the original finish, also Mr. Clean Eraser should work but it is much harsher.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,709
Likes: 1
From: Pacific Northwest
St. Jude Donor '06
Just a guess but the haze may be from moisture/condensation that occured over the winter. Next time, if you didn't use it, try damp rid or a similar product. To remove you can try iso alchol on a small spot, most times it will remove the white residue and restore the original finish, also Mr. Clean Eraser should work but it is much harsher.
I think I'd just use a damp rag and if that doesn't do it add some mild soap. My next try would be a leather cleaner but test it first to make sure it doesn't leave behind any gloss.
You may also want to ask on the car care board.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 265
Likes: 1
From: Hanover MA
Get a "Golden Rod" low power electric heater next year when you store the car, it helps dry any humidity inside the car during storage. People use them in boat cabins, they work pretty good. I think you can find them easy on google or amazon.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 25,455
Likes: 3
From: Damn Connecticut Yankee
I just took the cover (Wolf Dustop) of of mine this AM.
It hasn't been touched for 6 months.
Prior to storage in my unheated but plastic floor tiled garege, I laid down a moisture barrier, gave the car a couple coats of Rejex, which I won't do again until I put it away again in the Fall, went over the vinyl with 303 and the leather with Pinnacle. I cracked the windows 1/4", hooked up the Battery Tender and forgot about it until today.
The car was spotless and smelled only of leather protectant.
It seems likely that the heated garage (but I'm guessing not dehumidified) promoted condensation in the interior which effected the vinyl dressing (aagin I'm assuming that you put something on it). Just plain white film in the absence of any product applied to you car sounds like mildew, but it would have that distinctive mildew smell.
As far as white spots on the interior: I have a black interior too and there no spotting at all.
What are you using as a vinyl dressing?
It hasn't been touched for 6 months.
Prior to storage in my unheated but plastic floor tiled garege, I laid down a moisture barrier, gave the car a couple coats of Rejex, which I won't do again until I put it away again in the Fall, went over the vinyl with 303 and the leather with Pinnacle. I cracked the windows 1/4", hooked up the Battery Tender and forgot about it until today.
The car was spotless and smelled only of leather protectant.
It seems likely that the heated garage (but I'm guessing not dehumidified) promoted condensation in the interior which effected the vinyl dressing (aagin I'm assuming that you put something on it). Just plain white film in the absence of any product applied to you car sounds like mildew, but it would have that distinctive mildew smell.
As far as white spots on the interior: I have a black interior too and there no spotting at all.
What are you using as a vinyl dressing?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 483
Likes: 0
i agree, i just baught mine used and the interior was sun faded HORRIBLY..
i ended up rechemically treating and sealing the interior and now, 4 hours later, it looks perfect.
get some interior vinyl dash cleaner and use armor all, then use armor all protectant gel (new product)
20 bux and 4 hours restored my interior to better than brand new IMO
i ended up rechemically treating and sealing the interior and now, 4 hours later, it looks perfect.
get some interior vinyl dash cleaner and use armor all, then use armor all protectant gel (new product)
20 bux and 4 hours restored my interior to better than brand new IMO
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 274
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
No - it isn't mildew - it still smells brand new...... the seats are fine - it is just mainly the door panels and the console lid. It looks like they sat out in the sun and baked. It looks better if I wipe it off with a damp towel - I have never used any vinyl product at all on it...... I usually just wipe it off with a very light damp towel......but it may need some
F21 protectant or armor all....... just wondered what people have had success with?
F21 protectant or armor all....... just wondered what people have had success with?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 395
Likes: 1
From: Dartmouth Massachusetts
lexol leather cleaner orange bottle, wram damp rag suds it up a bit, wipe with another damp rag.. no residue or shineyness.. best stuff i've ever used, and i've tried alot.. one bottle will last a few years at least
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 5,921
Likes: 58
From: Woodstock Ga
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
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Just got my Vette out for the first time this spring - it has been stored in a heated garage all winter - started several times periodically this winter. Noticed that the door panels and console lid had a white haze on them. Does anyone else have this problem? I was a little disappointed when I saw this. Also, what is the best product to clean this off without making the door panels shiny?
So what have you guys been sucessful in cleaning the door panels, console, interior of C-6?
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 25,455
Likes: 3
From: Damn Connecticut Yankee
I have attempted to clean the C-6 interior with 303 and Klasse Interior cleaner and when I do it leaves exactly what you are describing. I understand it has something to do with the interior door panels/console being painted.
So what have you guys been sucessful in cleaning the door panels, console, interior of C-6?
So what have you guys been sucessful in cleaning the door panels, console, interior of C-6?
I've yet to see a white film on vinyl regardless of the product.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,454
Likes: 4
From: San Antonio Texas
Just got my Vette out for the first time this spring - it has been stored in a heated garage all winter - started several times periodically this winter. Noticed that the door panels and console lid had a white haze on them. Does anyone else have this problem? I was a little disappointed when I saw this. Also, what is the best product to clean this off without making the door panels shiny?
Mine did this when it was newer, especially on the dash and doors just as you described, especially after not driving it for a few weeks. IMO it's from the interior plastics degassing over time. A damp, soft cloth cleaned it up like new, no cleaner or chemicals needed.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 32,074
Likes: 296
From: San Francisco CA
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: Santa Ana CA
I had this. I believe it is just the material drying out and leaving so called "dry" spots that need to be re-moisturized. I noticed after I had mine, and going into it during the summer the "new car" smell (which is really voc's) was very strong, and soon after the white dust marks would come. I used Poorboys Natural Dressing, it's a protectant like Armour All but it leaves a non-glossy finish and brought back the deep black color. I used it for the dash, door panels, and even the black plastic door handle and it worked great. Hope this helps.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,075
Likes: 3
From: Penn Valley California
This is indeed outgassing of the interior fabrics that accumulates on the plastic panels as well as on the inside of the glass.This has become a major issue in homes,especially in baby nurserys,as these gasses are toxic to infants.It is all part of that new car smell,and I suspect may be the cause of all the modaholism that is rampant among the regulars here on the Forum(buy new car/mod/buy new car/mod/etc)!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 7,837
Likes: 107
From: Huntington Beach California
Same problem. Easy to clean with a good vinyl cleaner.