330i Clean Up Questions

[direfan]

Hi All,
I was hoping I could get some advice from the wise ones in this forum. I have a 2002 330i and until now I have not got it detailed. I will be finally taking it to a detail shop this week for a complete detail. Supposedly they do a leather treatment with Lexol. Will that be good enough for my leather seats? Also, what do they usually use for cleaning the dash? The other questions I have are:

1. Regarding the LCD displays. My radio display looks like it has hand prints all over the surface. Can somebody recommend a good way to clean the display?

2. Also, how do I clean the various button for my controls. You can clearly tell where I press them as the high use buttons seem to have a more worn look.

3. My display keeps on flickering especially when I shut of the engine. Is that normal or should I take it in?

Thanks for all your answers. I really appreciate it.

Direfan

 

[direfan]

Hi Guys,
Would anybody care to tackle this? I would really appreciate it.

Direfan

 

[black330i]

Personally, I don't think there's anything a detail shop can do that you couldn't do yourself for half the price and a little effort. But anyway....

1...For my radio/climate control LCDs, I use a q-tip with a little windex on it.

2..I think Armor-All protectant wipes work great on the radio faceplate/buttons, etc. I do mine every 3-4 weeks and it still looks new.

3..If your warranty is still good, I'd take you car into the shop to have them look at the radio. If not, there may be someone out there who's had the same problem.

good luck


R

 

[direfan]

Black330i, I appreciate your helpful reply. Thank you very much. Does anybody have any more advice. Is the lexol product ggod for treating BMW leather? The only reason I am having the detail shop do it, is that I have never owned a car with leather before and hence do not know how to clean the leather seats.

 

[rp911t]

I purchased the BMW leather cleaner/conditioner product from my local BMW place when i had my 325xi, i still haven't used it. But since it is from the company i would use that.

I'm VERY anal when it comes to my car, so i detail it myself. But since my car is black i wouldn't mind forking over 100 to 150 bucks for a perfect wax job every year or so.

I would not recommend putting Armor-all on your car, i hear it is crap so i don't use it. I use a leather/vinal cleaner when i'm detailing my car.

As for that radio thing, take it in, sounds like a lose connection or something.

also for cleaning your LCD screen, use the same stuff you use for your computer screen one of those moist alcohol towelettes to clean the entire radio combination screen and the poly glass covering the tach,speed,odom,gas.

 

[direfan]

Rp911t,
I really appreciate your response. I will take the car in. Thanks for the tip about the moist towelettes. I will buy some. Also for the various controls, is using windex OK. Won't it be too harsh?

 

[rjp325i]

Another tip is if you have baked on water spots on the outside glass that just won't come off with glass cleaner, try using white vinegar in an old windex spray bottle. It also is good in the home for water spots/deposits on shower doors.

 

[rp911t]

Rp911t,
I really appreciate your response. I will take the car in. Thanks for the tip about the moist towelettes. I will buy some. Also for the various controls, is using windex OK. Won't it be too harsh?

What other various controls? No windex is for outside.

If you got hard water spots on your windows get some stuff that is called something along the following. "glass fine-cut WAX cleaner". Apply that to the window then take like a spong that has an outside mesh, so it is textured. and clean then wipe off and you got beatiful windows.

 

[direfan]

I mean the various control knobs and buttons. eg. the temperature control buttoms, ac button, radio preset buttons etc.

 

[xmas63]

I mean the various control knobs and buttons. eg. the temperature control buttoms, ac button, radio preset buttons etc.

Do you really need anything more than a slightly damp towel? If so, stop eating Big Mac's and stuff while you're driving! No food should be allowed in your car.

 

[blkonblk330i]

Don't forget a clean, soft, tooth brush to wipe the cracks, crevices, and control knobs on the dash board. I use a separate brush for the air vent and the stitching on the leather seats.

 

[direfan]

I don't eat or drink in my car. No food is allowed. I guess it is not grease but just wear stains. i.e. fingerprint smudges.

 

[rp911t]

Same thing you use to clean your keyboard with, some alcohol based product that won't ruin the controls is fine. I just simply use a mixture of water and alcohol to clean with.