Adam's Interior Detailer Review: The Matte Wipe-Down With Microban
Our Verdict
A light interior cleaner that leaves UV blockers and Microban antimicrobial protection behind with a flat, factory-style finish. Adam's rates it for dashboards, door panels, leather, vinyl, plastic and touch screens, applied from a towel. It won't shift real stains and it isn't a disinfectant, but for the weekly wipe-down of a newer interior it covers nearly every hard surface.
Most interior sprays ask you to choose between cleaning and dressing. Adam's Interior Detailer is built for the job that sits between the two: the weekly wipe of a dash, door card or steering wheel that isn't really dirty, just dusty and fingerprinted. It lifts light soil, leaves UV blockers behind and adds Microban antimicrobial technology, which Adam's and Microban say keeps inhibiting bacterial growth on the treated surface after the towel is put away.
What you get
A 16 oz spray bottle of a light cleaner aimed at dust, fingerprints, smudges and sticky residue rather than ground-in stains. Adam's lists dashboards, door panels, leather, vinyl and plastic as fair game, and Microban's write-up of the product adds touch screens, shifters, cup holders and consoles. The finish is the selling point. Adam's describes it as perfectly matte and never greasy, glossy or shiny, which is what a modern soft-touch dash looked like when it left the factory. Odor neutralizers are in the formula too, and the scent depends on which version you buy.
How it's used
Spray it onto a microfiber towel rather than the panel, wipe until the surface looks even, then go over it with a second dry towel to pick up any excess. Putting it on the towel first matters around screens and switchgear, where overspray is the usual cause of streaks. A soft brush from our detailing brush guide helps it reach vents and seams.
Where it falls short
It is a detailer, not a deep cleaner. Dye transfer on a bolster, a coffee stain in carpet or a neglected steering wheel needs something stronger first, such as CAR GUYS Super Cleaner. The Microban claim is also easy to overread. It is antimicrobial protection for the surface, and the product is not sold as a disinfectant. And if you want a satin or glossy dressed look, this deliberately doesn't give you one.
Who it's for
Owners of newer cars who want hard surfaces and screens kept clean and factory-flat with one bottle. Pair it with a dedicated fabric cleaner and you have most of an interior kit. Check price on Amazon
Pros
- Matte, non-greasy factory finish
- UV blockers in a light cleaner
- Microban antimicrobial surface protection
- Safe on touch screens and trim
Cons
- Too mild for stains or heavy grime
- Microban protection is not a disinfectant
- No satin or gloss option