'03 dash material ruined by Windex?

[c44me]

Oh boy. I've been noticing the dark grey dash on our '03 SR-5 has accumulated a number of light grey dirt streaks, so today I swiped it vigorously with a cotton cloth dampened with Windex. Surprise! It looks like the light grey dirt streaks are actually places where Windex has in the past removed the grey coloring from the dash in a couple of places. Now, there are some very large, prominent light grey areas that appear to be from the Windex I used today removing the color. Just to be sure, I tried cleaning with another mild household cleaner, which seemed to aggravate the discolored steaking.

This can't be happening, can it? Tell me the 4Runner dash material isn't so delicate I've ruined it by using Windex on it...

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Gregg
'03 SR-5 V8 4WD
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[EdDucks916]

Windex is ammoniated window cleaner. Ammonia is something that should not touch any vehicle interior. I wonder if Armor All can make the streaks go away.

 

[Sac State]

c44me: Between this board and Edmunds.com, you just aren't having any luck with your Runner. Sorry to hear that, I would always just use a mild dishwashing soap on the interior. Toyota makes a leather/vinyl cleaner and protectant. Unlike ArmorAll, this Toyota product does not 'glass over' the dash and plastic. Did you park your car in the sun after spraying the interior dash with Windex?

 

[c44me]

Sac State -

Park it in the sun? I live in North Seattle, and summer ended last Saturday at 4:15 PM , so it's been cloudy and showers since then. (No kidding, that's the way the weather works here, the National Weather Service just came right out last week and said "Fall begins this weekend".)

So no, I didn't park it in the sun after wiping it with Windex, and I dried it off immediately with a cotton rag.

Thanks for the tip on the Toyota cleaner, I don't care for the Armor All appearance so the Toyota product sounds like a good option.

I've been using Windex to clean dashes for a long time now, and have never seen anything like this. Everything from a $5000 Suzuki Samurai on up, has just cleaned right up with Windex.

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Gregg
'03 SR-5 V8 4WD
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[jharris2]

I use the Meguiar's products for the interior. They seem to clean well, protect well, and not leave a slick surface like I have seen with Armor All.

 

[JungleJim]

Armoral does make a cleaner/protectant that is low gloss. It does a nice job.

But that worries me about the color coming off the dash. Even with Windex, that should NOT happen.

Keep us informed.

 

[srpage]

I also have a couple of discolored spots on my dash. These occurred after some overspray from using windex on my inside winshield got on the dash and I wiped it up.

I just plan on using one of the window cleaning proucts that do not contain ammonia.

I agree this should not happen with these common cleaning products.

 

[Good Times]

since we're on the topic of washing and maintaining, how about some of ya guys help me wash my 4runner It's filthy like you can't believe!!!!

just kidding....

sorry for the padding.... hehehe

but anyway, when I do clean the interior, I just use a damp cloth and wipe it down. soap and warm water works too btw.

 

[jharris2]

Actually, I was thinking about offering to go wash srpage's truck in a couple of months after the ski resorts open!!

 

[JungleJim]

I remember reading about similar experience on a RAV4 forum. Is this a problem on all Toyota products? You should be able to at least use a glass cleaner on the windows without worrying too much about overspray.

Kind makes you wonder what the dash will be like in 5-10 years....

Come on Toyota, there's other places you can "go cheap" on. The dash is too noticable, though.

 

[c44me]

Dash Streaks Update

I'm worrying now that the problem I have with dash streaking is worse than I thought. It doesn't appear the Windex just removed the color so much as it destroyed the surface material itself. The day after I caused the streaking with Windex, I rubbed the dash with a DRY white terry cloth. This caused another streak, and looking closely at the streaks it appears the surface is abraded and rough, not just discolored.

I did try the official Toyota vinyl treatment - the parts department person thought it would take out the streaks. Well, it didn't, although I think it is a bit better. The vinyl treatment did not leave the oily Armor All look, but it did darken the color of the dash material. But hey, that's the whole idea

Attached (I hope) is a photo of the streaked dash *after* the treatment with Toyota vinyl protectant.

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Gregg
'03 SR-5 V8 4WD
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[EdDucks916]

The manual says you can't use window cleaner on vinyl interior.

In the owner's manual, page 305 says that window cleaner cannot be used on the vinyl interior. Solvents, gasoline, thinner, etc. cannot be used on the vinyl interior either.

It has to be the ammonia in the Windex that's causing the discoloration.

If you want to be safe, you can spray Windex on the towel and then clean the windshield.

But I would go for non-ammoniated window cleaner, like Armor All Auto Glass Cleaner (which has no ammonia in it). I used it on my 4Runner's inside glass, and when it leaves spots on the dash, I clean it up, and no discoloration.

 

[fjc32]

Let Toyota know that this is not acceptable.

This discoloration is rediculus. Now what am I to do if I take the car to full service car wash. Tell the guy to cover the whole dash when he cleans the front winshield? We should complaint to Toyota about this. The dash is right under a huge "glass" winshield. No matter how careful one is, there is going to be some windex/glass cleaner falling on top of the dash. Gasoline and solvent is one thing but Windex?

 

[98 Joes]

Gregg,

Since you also live in Seattle, (actually I'm in Puyallup) try contacting Griot's Garage in Fife. They sell great products for keeping you ride looking great. They have a vinyl treatment that contains zero silicone, is not greasy and might get rid of the streaks. It might take a couple applications. If you drive the truck down there, they will even come out and try a small area to see if it will help. I buy all my cleaning stuff from them and I've never been disappointed.

There web page is: Griot's Garage
Phone: 1-800-345-5789
Give them a call and tell them you're coming down and they will be happy to come out and look at the truck. They're a great bunch of guys.

Also, one trick to cleaning interior windows is to spray the cleaner on the cloth first, this way you don't drip on the dash. I never use windex or any other cleaner on my windows. I bought a microfiber cloth, get them at any car parts store or Wal-Mart) and I use plain water. Spray a fine mist on the window, polish until dry and it will remove anything on the window without streaking. I alos use it on the outside and once I got the windshield clean, I quit using chemicals on it and now water runs off almost as well as when I used Rain-X. I won't try to explain why the microfiber cloths work so well, you can read it off the back of the package.

Anyway, good luck with the dash.

 

[baseops]

Detailing your Toyota

Howdy,
Just to add on to the Windex discussion....
You should NEVER use any product that has ammonia in it - for example Windex. You should never use Windex on any glass surfaces, interior or even EXTERIOR- it will also do damage on your paint! When going to the store look for Ammonia-Free glass cleaners and use an old newspaper to wipe it down (no streaks).

As far as the interior dash/trim - you can use any number of products, what I discovered and previously used on my BMW interior was a product called "VINYLEX" - made specifically for vinyl surfaces such as your dash. A very small amount cleans, coats, and protects your dash as well as your door panels, etc. - IT DOES NOT leave the overly tacky Armor All slick look, protects well, and leaves a semi-new-car-smell as well! It's the counterpart of Lexol Leather Cleaner + Conditioner (another reputable product).

In cleaning your wheels (rims) be careful NOT to use any product that has ammonia or any alcohol based products as well - it will certainly remove the grit on your wheels, but will overspray on your paint too! I simply use a soft wheel brush and car-soapy water.

Hope this helps a few folks!

2003 4Runner Sport, V8 4x4 Black

 

[waskillywabbit]

Windex is ammoniated window cleaner. Ammonia is something that should not touch any vehicle interior. I wonder if Armor All can make the streaks go away.

Toyota plainly states in the owner's manual that accompanies your vehicle NOT to use Armor All or any petroleum based products on the interior of the vehicle. I wouldn't use Armor All on anything!!! Check out Griot's Garage products for your car if you really care about it!

My 0.02

:guitar2:

Brian

 

[98 Joes]

Check out Griot's Garage products for your car if you really care about it!

I couldn't have said it better myself. Griot's products are 100% silicone free. The added beniefit is they seem to last much longer than the cheaper stuff. I think they use much less water also.
I'm starting to sound like an employee of Griot's.

 

[JungleJim]

c44me, I really feel badly for you. That picture looks horrible

I guess this "rugged" vehicle doesn't have a rugged interior. I hope it can at least handle dust and some UV rays.

It would be one thing if all interiors were like this. But they're not. One of my vehicles is 17 years old. It's had plenty of overspray from Windex and guess what? NO streaking, NO discoloration.

 

[Nerve]

Howdy howdy,

As my reply is a bit dated, i don't know if you were able to resolve the streaking.

If not, might I suggest using Mothers Back to Black. The name is a bit of a misnomer, it's safe to use on any color (it's just white glop). The significance of the name just describes that it's especially good for bring faded black to life (as fade is most noticable in black).

I've used it on the dash and center console of my previous '98 4Runner and was happy with the results. Easy application also.

Here's what it says on the Mothers website.

http://www.mothers.com/products/productcatalog/specialprod.html

BACK-TO-BLACK

 

[Capitan]

Not trying to add barbs but this reminds me of the father in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" who used Windex on everything....he didn't seem to have too many problems.