Cleaning brushed aluminium centre console

[GazHyde]

I have the brushed aluminium centre console panels on mine. What's the best cleaner for these?

It's they style shown in the picture below

BMW Z3 Storm Motorwerks V1 Gear Knob

• GazHyde
• Jul 8, 2014

Fitted to my BMW Z3 2.2 Sport

 

[badman gee]

Right, I would use a metal cleaner. Autosol is good. Is it real alloy or plastic?

 

[Summit Detailing]

Vinegar & a microfibre...working on the basis that it is faux metal

 

[Brian H]

I'm fairly certain it is a thin sheet of aluminium, I changed one a while back for someone and you can see a sheet laminated to a sub-straight and then stapled to the plastic backing.

 

[GazHyde]

Vinegar & a microfibre...working on the basis that it is faux metal

Is it real alloy or plastic?

I'm not so sure it is fake metal as Brian says. I'll try vinegar anyway, as it's a great excuse for a plate of chips

 

[Titan]

Don't use any kind of polish Gary. It is aluminium and it is very soft ( in metal terms). You will get flat and bright spots.

Vinegar, a clear window cleaner (eg nilglas ) or good old soap n water is best. An old toothbrush is also useful [emoji6]

 

[Southernboy]

I had the same finish in my car...I found the best cleaner for that and in general for any hard plastics, chrome work and foot pedals is surgical alcohol. It is also known as "rubbing alcohol"... same stuff the medics swab your skin before sticking the needle in. It is an excellent solvent especially of oils, waxes and grime. It evaporates very quickly, which in most instances is a plus. Used with a micro-fiber cloth it is magic on the steering column lever knobs, the climate control knobs, console switches etc. The good part is that although it's a great solvent, it will not remove the white painted icons on the various switches, but leaves them a good clean matt black after removing any polishes etc.
I recently re-coloured my seats etc, and came across the tip to use this stuff to strip off the polishes etc from the leather before applying the dye. I can say it works extremely well in that regard too with the advantage that it evaporates rapidly leaving the leather dry in short time, allowing one to get on with the job. It is alos safe to use on acryllics, plastics etc without acting as a solvent to the plastic
A word of caution when using it on leather, it will clean the leather parts very well, but will also remove a light layer of the leather dye if excessive rubbing is applied..

 

[GazHyde]

I had the same finish in my car...I found the best cleaner for that and in general for any hard plastics, chrome work and foot pedals is surgical alcohol. It is also known as "rubbing alcohol"... same stuff the medics swab your skin before sticking the needle in. It is an excellent solvent especially of oils, waxes and grime. It evaporates very quickly, which in most instances is a plus. Used with a micro-fiber cloth it is magic on the steering column lever knobs, the climate control knobs, console switches etc. The good part is that although it's a great solvent, it will not remove the white painted icons on the various switches, but leaves them a good clean matt black after removing any polishes etc.
I recently re-coloured my seats etc, and came across the tip to use this stuff to strip off the polishes etc from the leather before applying the dye. I can say it works extremely well in that regard too with the advantage that it evaporates rapidly leaving the leather dry in short time, allowing one to get on with the job. It is alos safe to use on acryllics, plastics etc without acting as a solvent to the plastic
A word of caution when using it on leather, it will clean the leather parts very well, but will also remove a light layer of the leather dye if excessive rubbing is applied..

That's great information. Thanks!

 

[Summit Detailing]

I had the same finish in my car...I found the best cleaner for that and in general for any hard plastics, chrome work and foot pedals is surgical alcohol. It is also known as "rubbing alcohol"... same stuff the medics swab your skin before sticking the needle in. It is an excellent solvent especially of oils, waxes and grime. It evaporates very quickly, which in most instances is a plus. Used with a micro-fiber cloth it is magic on the steering column lever knobs, the climate control knobs, console switches etc. The good part is that although it's a great solvent, it will not remove the white painted icons on the various switches, but leaves them a good clean matt black after removing any polishes etc.
I recently re-coloured my seats etc, and came across the tip to use this stuff to strip off the polishes etc from the leather before applying the dye. I can say it works extremely well in that regard too with the advantage that it evaporates rapidly leaving the leather dry in short time, allowing one to get on with the job. It is alos safe to use on acryllics, plastics etc without acting as a solvent to the plastic
A word of caution when using it on leather, it will clean the leather parts very well, but will also remove a light layer of the leather dye if excessive rubbing is applied..

Good stuff, very similar to IPA (ISO propyl alcohol)

 

[Southernboy]

Good stuff, very similar to IPA (ISO propyl alcohol)

Yep....basically the same stuff by a commonly known name... )

 

[t-tony]

....or moonshine.

 

[Gordon Kerr]

Damp micro fibre works well !

 

[GazHyde]

Damp micro fibre works well !

Sometimes it's the simplest of things