Rant: interior plastic is going to look horrible in a few years

[inline_five]

Is 303 greasy and slippery like Armor All? I've been trying for over a week to decide if I want to try that or Mother VLR for interior protection. I don't like the greasy, slippery feel of Armor All. Mother's VLR is water based so I'm thinking that might be more of what I'm looking for but it also doesn't say it protects from UV Rays so I'm really torn.

303 or any spray isn't going to stop scratches from happening. It's UV qualities are also dubious at best. Really, the only thing that reduces UV damage is a physical barrier of some sort such as paint or tint. You are better off tinting your windows with ceramic and heat rejection automotive tint, that is what will stop most of the damage.

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[Montana]

That sounds like it might be perfect in that case. I can't stand the slippery oily feeling of products like Armor All. I'm going to see if I can find some 303 locally today and if not I'll order some. Thank you for the detailed response!

One more question, do you use the 303 on your ActiveX seats?

Yep. Use it on everything and sometimes even the exterior. There are better options for exterior protection though.

 

[Art Vandelay]

303 or any spray isn't going to stop scratches from happening. It's UV qualities are also dubious at best. Really, the only thing that reduces UV damage is a physical barrier of some sort such as paint or tint. You are better off tinting your windows with ceramic and heat rejection automotive tint, that is what will stop most of the damage.

To be clear I wasn't at all asking about 303 because I thought it might prevent scratches. Except for maybe some type of thick lacquer there really isn't anything will make the plastic bits in the truck less prone to scratching.

As far as the UV protection, I've read a lot about whether any interior protectants actually work to block UV's and honestly I don't think anyone knows for sure. For me, I'll put something on and if it works to prevent UV damage then great and if not, oh well. I still need something to add a nice dull shine when cleaning the interior and if that also happens to prevent UV damage then that's just an added benefit.

 

[Art Vandelay]

Yep. Use it on everything and sometimes even the exterior. There are better options for exterior protection though.

Yeah I definitely would not use it on the exterior. I already have a favorite tire shine and for the paint the Turtle Wax Hybrid spray wax is the best thing since sliced bread.

 

[inline_five]

To be clear I wasn't at all asking about 303 because I thought it might prevent scratches. Except for maybe some type of thick lacquer there really isn't anything will make the plastic bits in the truck less prone to scratching.

As far as the UV protection, I've read a lot about whether any interior protectants actually work to block UV's and honestly I don't think anyone knows for sure. For me, I'll put something on and if it works to prevent UV damage then great and if not, oh well. I still need something to add a nice dull shine when cleaning the interior and if that also happens to prevent UV damage then that's just an added benefit.

There is a great youtube testing channel where a detailer did a bunch of tests on uncoated glass. Basically, the only thing that did anything was sun tan lotion...

How much UV protection does a wax, coating or sealant provide? (youtube.com

It included this 303 product, which even states it has UV protection in it:

Amazon.com: 303 Graphene Nano Spray Coating - Next Level Carbon Polymer Protection, Enhances Gloss and Depth, Extreme Hydrophobic Protection, Beyond Ceramic, 15.5oz (30236CSR) Packaging May Vary,Blue : Everything Else

I actually bought a UV testing meter (should be here in a few days) to test out a bunch of other stuff but plan to try out some of my sprays as well.

Damage to car interior comes in the form of heat and UV (UV-A). So, a proper heat rejection and UV rejection tint is needed to protect. I'm guessing the tint on our back windows is mostly just color, not UV or heat, which I'm going to test out as well.

 

[CurtisB]

It probably would be paintable. I investigated plastidip and similar. It may come down to that one day if it gets that beat up.

For now I'm just trying not to scratch it.

I'm waiting for someone to do a vinyl wrap. Not a solid color, one of those with a pattern in it.

 

[Edge Haley]

Can't figure this plastic scratching out. Have a 2022 Maverick and I'd be hard pressed to find any scratches. I am almost always parked under a roof/garage/parking lot, etc so no hot sun to fade the plastic interior. But I would never use anything but a clean wet (with water) microfiber cloth to clean the interior plastic. I've always found things like Armor All or leather conditioners the worst thing to use on an interior plastic. If anything they make scratches more visible.

 

[Nw_adventure]

I 303'ed an hour after bringing the Maverick home and after two years not single scratch - Careful, yes but...

 

[MavDan]

These don't prevent scratches, but damn are they good. Koch Chemie Pol Star is so concentrated, 10:1 is perfect in THIS FOAMING DISPENSER. Pol Star saved my headliner from the greasy hands of Ford's amazing techs.

Koch Chemie Pol Star

Turtle Wax inside Job

I have a 16 1/2 yr old mostly black interior on a non tinted car that shows Meguiars is a great interior cleaner / protectant:

Meguiars Interior

 

[Nittany]

Was vacuuming out mine today and was using a Ridgid 18v shopvac. It comes with an ABS plastic attachment for small skinny spaces, so I was using it between the seat and door to pick up fluff.

I **** you not, the mere act of moving the plastic piece along the carpet *lightly* rubbing the trim plastic was enough to scuff it.

Seriously wtf were they thinking. I get in Ford passenger vans with 300k on them that have seen tens of thousands of passengers and the interior is holding up better than our Mavericks.

I may upgrade to the new model if they increase interior quality. Or possibly we can buy the new 2025 interior and upgrade our old ones? That would be pretty slick!!

I've had my XLT Maverick for 1 1/2 years. Vacuumed it several times with no problem whatsoever.

 

[Buttonhook]

I'm waiting for someone to do a vinyl wrap. Not a solid color, one of those with a pattern in it.

You could hydrodip it and matte clear over it.

 

[Bill K]

In a couple of months you won’t notice the scratches.

 

[Dave_in_Denaud]

Was vacuuming out mine today and was using a Ridgid 18v shopvac. It comes with an ABS plastic attachment for small skinny spaces, so I was using it between the seat and door to pick up fluff.

I **** you not, the mere act of moving the plastic piece along the carpet *lightly* rubbing the trim plastic was enough to scuff it.

Seriously wtf were they thinking. I get in Ford passenger vans with 300k on them that have seen tens of thousands of passengers and the interior is holding up better than our Mavericks.

I may upgrade to the new model if they increase interior quality. Or possibly we can buy the new 2025 interior and upgrade our old ones? That would be pretty slick!!

And yet these fabrics came from one of the Premier Mexican Carpet companies. Color me shocked.

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