Ugh. I have no idea why...maybe because it's been awhile since I cleaned my console and armrest area...but I think it ate through the thin black film on my armrest. So just a recomendation that if you have an aging dash...don't clean it with armor all.

It's not a big deal because the entire car, plus the dash components is getting a respray...I'm going to paint the interior parts a nice shiny black color...just to freshen it up a bit.

 

i use armourall and it works a treat, but i have a later model that doesnt have the early dash that peals.

 

I personally think painted plastic sucks. I'm going to remove my trim pieces and media-blast them (after some experimenting) to achieve something similar to the 94+ trim texture.

 

That's a good idea! I never though of that...

 

Ahh...media blast. I'd try that, but what if I went to far...ahahah. That would really suck. These things are super expensive.

I'm not going for anything that stands out...just a nice flat black color to give a smooth surface again that will look nice. I painted the interior on my old Celica and it came out pretty well, and looked pretty cool. For the most part.

But I didn't have much taste back then...so I thought the red was good...heheh.

 

Archangel, were you around back when EverythingCelica.com was still up or were you a member of NewCelica.org?

 

I was around then...but I was an NC.org guy...heh. Same name...ArchangelX. Been on since 1999. Still a member.

I miss my Celica, that was a great car...besides the yucky feeling of the interior, it was a great beginner car, that's for sure.

 

That's why you play around on the back first or piece from the junk yard. Another thing is that plastic has some give to it, so it doesn't just chunk off like metal unless you use some really abrasive stuff. For me, it's worth a shot, since the peeling black goo is pretty much as low as you can go.

 

When you're cheap as hell, you learn ways to make something just as good... to the dismay of those who payed full price.

 

I don't think Amorall has any abrasive. AFAIK it's simply silicone with some UV filter additive-stuff. It shouldn't have caused you to go through the finish. I use it occasionally, and then wipe the excess back off with a soft cloth. Never had any issues.

 

I wouldn't put anything shiny on the dash. It just makes the reflection off the windshield worse. If you are going to refinish the dash, make it flat, not shiny.

 

I've never had too many problems with the reflections...but I do need a new windshield. I can barely see through mine due to the pitting.

Maybe the armorall I used was a bit old or something, but the film came right up...and got gooey. I worked on it for like 30 minutes to make it look nice again to no avail. I dunno. Blah.

 

that is the ugliest interior i have ever seen. dear god. my eyes burn.

 

Thanks. Good thing you don't have my taste then...otherwise you'd probably off yourself, and where would that leave you? I'm sure, I'd be happy, but you probably wouldn't.

 

You guys use armorall? What? Tell that to your professional detail guy so he can slpa you! Armor all has been dubbed THE worst product for detailing interiors. Get some Meguiar's or Black Magic stuff and terry cloth towels instead.
Seriously, you bought an FD just to use armorall on it? That **** is made for crappy old used cars and the like, not nice sports or luxury cars.

 

Yup - Armor All is utter garbage. Apart from the yukky unnatural sheen it leaves, there have been several class action lawsuits claiming that it damages the material it is supposed to be used on. No real detailers use this stuff. Mothers/Meguiars or, better still, Griots do a good job.

 

same here, wat were you thinking? i guess if you like it, than thats all that matters

 

pretty hideous in stock colors too

 

I like the way it turns out. I DO, agree with Adam, it causes a nasty glare. Not a good thing when you drive a 10 s FD on the street!!!!!!! HA HA

 

Apparently, everyone is a critic. I don't own the car anymore...but the guy that bought it loved it. It's probably wrapped around a tree somewhere now though, so you guys should be happy now?

And yeah...it was a marked improvement over the stock look, which looked about as cheap and flimsy as the plastic in the RX-7s. Let's be honest here, the FD doesn't exactly have a top-class interior to begin with. The design is awesome...the materials suck. A little sprucing up is needed, IMHO. Oh...and it would help to fix the huge crack in my driver's side pocket door as well.

Personally, i've seen much, much worse...and it matched the exterior of the car. From what I've seen there's plenty of people with much worse looking taste than mine.

 

Thanks for the advice...I'll pick some up!

 

This is the best stuff made for actually protecting the material on which it is being applied:

http://www.autogeek.net/303aerprot.html

Armor-All is horrible. Don't use it.

 

its not to bad maybe if you had other pieces painted to match.

and i use the tirewet it smells good to, just collects dust easy.

i like it shinny.

 

I might try the Meguiar's, I've been happy with some of their other products. I don't have Armorall stock, but it has worked just fine for me. But then I'm not a professional detail guy...are you? Whose been doing the dubbing anyway?
I don't use it often, maybe twice a year in the summer. Mostly on the dash and surfaces below the windshield.
It's work fine on other cars I own as well, like the 30 year old pickup truck (winter ride) that has never been garaged and still has the rare original un-split dash. I put it on with the throw-away toweletts, lightly wipe the excess off with a soft cloth and I'm golden. No sheen and it doesn't seem to attract lint and dust as bad as other stuff I've used.

 

+1 for 303...