Magic Eraser is a 'must have' - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Ra_ · #1 12-09-2005, 08:06 AM

Mr. Clean has a product called the 'Magic Eraser'.
It is a sponge made of a lightweight foam material.
You simply wet it and attack dirt with it.

I had not seen enthusiastic testimonials such as they garner,
other than with something like the Surfpick.

I tried it this morning.
First I tried a back door panel.
I just tried some Race Glaze on this a few days ago...
and it did not remove the yellowing from the vinyl.
A few wipes with the ME and it was gone.
I just cleaned a vertical strip, so that you could see the difference.

I then went to my grimiest area, which is the driver's door panel
and tried it on a portion of the inside handle.

They don't recommend it on some areas, such as car bodies...
but many of the testimonials were for removing things such as tar from a car.
Some users that do a lot of vehicles say that it works best on white cars, for some reason?

I know that this is technically a 'detailing' issue...
but I wanted to make sure that my diesel brethren saw this.

If you try it, please share your results.

Pete Burton · #2 12-09-2005, 08:37 AM

Ra, that looks pretty cool. I have the same interior color and grime/yellowing. Where do you get this? I was planning on recoloring with SEM color coat because the stuff won't fully come off. This sure looks easier.

Pete Burton · #3 12-09-2005, 09:05 AM

Oh, I see. It's a Proctor & Gamble product. Is it available at supermarkets?

sailor15015 · #4 12-09-2005, 09:11 AM

Any grocery store or Wal-mart type place should have it. My store does. I'm almost positve they come in packs of two or four. I'm glad you posted this because the interior of my bimmer is that color and its really grimy like that.

Ra_ · #5 12-09-2005, 09:40 AM

Yes, most any grocery store should have them.

Let us know what kind of results you get.

1985 300SD Sady · #6 12-09-2005, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ra_

Yes, most any grocery store should have them.

Let us know what kind of results you get.

Whoa, I had no idea that a cincinnati company (P&G) could impact the whole nation!

I mean, I knew they were big, but that is a fairly new product, and everyone already has it?

wow.

andmoon · #7 12-09-2005, 10:22 AM

Does it leave a sticky residue?
Is it hard to get all the parts evenly clean as the wipe wears?
Does it work on leather?
I think I have a lot of cleaning to do this weekend!
Thanks for the headsup!

Ra_ · #8 12-09-2005, 10:26 AM

No residue that I can detect.
People report that they like it, because of the lack of chemicals...
but I have no idea how it works?

It seems to clean evenly and easily.
The Magic Eraser will gradually wear away, as you use it.

I've read reports of good results on leather.

Remember to 'seal' your vinyl with 303, or equivalent, after cleaning.

P.E.Haiges · #9 12-09-2005, 10:41 AM

RA,

What is 303?

P E H

BodhiBenz1987 · #10 12-09-2005, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P.E.Haiges

RA,

What is 303?

P E H

303 Aerospace Protectant ... it's a non-silicone protectant made for boats, plastics, vinyls, etc. It is pricey, but I think worth the expense ... it leaves a great finish on the dash or other interior parts and does not leave a film or cause browning of dark parts. Check 'em out at www.303products.com. I think they will send you a free sample of some of the stuff. Lots of testimonials and scientific explanation on the site.

phidauex · #11 12-09-2005, 12:15 PM

Magic Eraser is good stuff. Mr Clean sells a comparable product as well. Make sure you use a little damp sponge to wipe after it, because it does leave a bit of whitish powder behind sometimes, don't worry though, the powder comes right up.

They work because they are a microabrasive. Imagine sand paper, very tiny sandpaper. Its also self-sacrificing, instead of 'loading' like regular sandpaper would, it breaks apart like coral, constantly refreshing itself (which is why it seems to 'disappear' as you use it). The whitish powder left behind is a tiny bit of that abrasive. The water you moisten it with is a lubricant that lets it get into all the tiny cracks.

Basically, its really good stuff, and is really effective on car interiors! Because its non-chemical, you don't have to worry about what its going to do to the surface, and it works on just about everything.

However, because its an abrasive, don't use it on shiny things, like glass or shiny plastic! It'll cloud them as it leaves tiny scratches. You also shouldn't use it on your finish for the same reason, tiny scratches. It would probably work to remove tar or something, but it could also cloud the finish around the tar. I wouldn't recommend it.

After you clean with the Eraser, you can use a regular protectant, like 303, to keep it clean and protected for the future.

Have fun wiping up the inside of your cars, everyone. Those 'magic erasers' have really taken people by storm, its a good invention.

peace,
sam

Ra_ · #12 12-09-2005, 12:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phidauex

They work because they are a microabrasive. Imagine sand paper, very tiny sandpaper. Its also self-sacrificing, instead of 'loading' like regular sandpaper would, it breaks apart like coral, constantly refreshing itself (which is why it seems to 'disappear' as you use it). The whitish powder left behind is a tiny bit of that abrasive. The water you moisten it with is a lubricant that lets it get into all the tiny cracks.

Basically, its really good stuff, and is really effective on car interiors! Because its non-chemical, you don't have to worry about what its going to do to the surface, and it works on just about everything.

I was wondering how it worked?
Thanks for the explanation.
Ain't science grand?

Quote:

However, because its an abrasive, don't use it on shiny things, like glass or shiny plastic! It'll cloud them as it leaves tiny scratches. You also shouldn't use it on your finish for the same reason, tiny scratches. It would probably work to remove tar or something, but it could also cloud the finish around the tar. I wouldn't recommend it.

I suppose if you can't get something off your paint any other way,
you could just re-polish the surface, after the Magic Eraser scuffed it up?

Pete Burton · #13 12-09-2005, 01:13 PM

thanks Sam! It's good that you noted that before some of us dashed off and rubbed our clearcoat with it

also, BTW

Quote:

Originally Posted by phidauex

Its also self-sacrificing, instead of 'loading' like regular sandpaper would, it breaks apart like coral, constantly refreshing itself (which is why it seems to 'disappear' as you use it).

the term for this is "ablative". just call me the trivia jerk.

Ra_ · #14 12-09-2005, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by P.E.Haiges

RA,

What is 303?

P E H

PEH,

I suggested 303, because the consensus here seems to be
that Armorall actually contributes to dashboard cracking,
because of the silicone it contains.

phidauex · #15 12-09-2005, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete Burton

the term for this is "ablative". just call me the trivia jerk.

Nice, thanks for the tidbit.

About the scuffing up the clearcoat, you could theoretically clean something off with the magic eraser, and then repolish, but... why? It would make more sense to just use a non-abrasive cleaner for the finish, there are good ones that can take off bug bits, tar, all that jazz, without abrasives.

peace,
sam