SWISSVAX – Handbook
VIII.2 The third Element – Nano Express
VIII.3 The missing Element – Interior
VI.1 INNER BEAUTY IN FABRICS
FABRIC
Interior cleaning
Always start your interior care programme by removing loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner, using the narrow nozzle. To do so, we recommend to remove the carpets and mats. Carpets / mats can be effectively cleaned with Swissvax Fabric. Then wash plastic and upholstered vinyl surfaces with Swissvax Plastic Wash. Vacuum clean fabric seats before cleaning with Swissvax Fabric.
Perfectly cared for fabric surfaces
Swissvax Fabric is a concentrated cleaning agent for textiles which can be precisely mixed with carbonated mineral water in the scaled Swissvax Mixing Bottle. The mixed solution can then be sprayed on for thorough, easy and fabric-friendly cleaning of textiles as encountered on fabric seat covers, vehicle carpets, interior roofs and fabric tops. The advantage over foam-based fabric cleaners is that Swissvax Fabric can be applied more finely and precisely, avoiding “circular cleaning stains” on the surface cleaned. Used with the popular Swissvax Mixing Bottle, Swissvax Fabric is an unbeatable agent for freshening up and cleaning all types of fabrics.
HOW TO USE FABRIC Textile Cleaner
1. Fill a Swissvax Mixing Bottle to the «1:2» mark with carbonated mineral water.
2. Add Swissvax Fabric concentrate to the «1:3» mark.
3. Gently tilt the Mixing Bottle (do not shake it).
4. Spray the Swissvax Fabric solution evenly over the areas to be treated and allow to work in for 1-2 minutes.
5. Gently rub the surface with a soft brush or a soft, clean Swissvax Cloth and then let it dry.
6. Vacuum the dry surface thoroughly with a vacuum cleaner.
7. Always re-impregnate the cleaned surfaces (e.g. Swissvax Lotus Fabric Shield spray for textiles).
VI.2 INNER BEAUTY IN ALCANTARA
ALCANTA CLEANER
Interior cleaning
Always start your interior care programme by removing loose dirt with a vacuum cleaner, using the narrow nozzle. To do so, we recommend to remove the carpets and mats. Carpets / mats can be effectively cleaned with Swissvax Fabric. Then wash plastic and upholstered vinyl surfaces with Swissvax Plastic Wash. Vacuum clean fabric seats before cleaning with Swissvax Fabric.
A closer look at Alcantara
Seat covers and other interior elements made from Alcantara (synthetic suede) are relatively robust. However, one has to proceed careful when cleaning Alcantara. The use of conventional cleaners in general is problematic, as they contain solvents which will weaken the Alcantara fibres. Alcanta Cleaner consists of biodegradable ingredients and has been specially developed for the regular cleaning of synthetic suede fabrics.
HOW TO USE ALCANTA CLEANER for Alcantara
1. Spray Alcanta Cleaner onto a clean sponge applicator or directly onto the surface to be cleaned. Clean the entire surface with dabbing action and applying medium pressure.
2. Clean stubborn dirt by spraying on Alcanta Cleaner and working it in with a Swissvax Cleaning Brush in a circular motion without pressure.
3. Pat dry with a soft cotton cloth. Do not rub!
VI.3 INNER BEAUTY IN LEATHER
LEATHER CLEANER / FORTE
Leather cleaning
Swissvax Leather Cleaner is a highly effective, gentle-acting leather cleaner containing biodegradable active ingredients and enriched with glycerine. This effective but mild pH-neutral formula can be used for regular cleaning of all leather surfaces in your vehicle and will not attack or harm the leather as conventional solvent-based leather cleaners may do. Due to the use of solvents, the latter cause the leather to age more quickly and may even remove the colour. Applied using a Swissvax Cleaning Brush, Swissvax Leather Cleaner is the ideal solution for achieving perfectly clean leather, ready for subsequent treatment with a leather care or sealing product. Swissvax Leather Cleaner Forte is a stronger formula with enhanced cleaning power and is recommended for more stubborn or older soiling, either for cleaning individual spots or complete areas. Its strong cleansing power can be seen immediately after spraying on.
HOW TO USE Leather Cleaner and Leather Cleaner Forte
1. Shake the bottle well before use.
2. Spray Leather Cleaner on a clean cotton cloth or directly onto the surface to be cleaned. Applying medium pressure, wipe the surface in one direction only.
3. Remove stubborn dirt by spraying on Leather Cleaner on the surface and working it in with a Swissvax Cleaning Brush in a circular motion.
4. Wipe dry in one direction with a soft cotton cloth. Do not rub!
5. Allow leather to dry completely and then treat with Leather Milk.
VI.4 LEATHER DIE AND CORRECTION
LEATHER HEALER
Restoring the colour of your leather
Some parts of your interior leather, such as driver seats, side mouldings, entrance panel covers, steering wheels and gear shift knobs, are by nature subject to greater use and therefore will inevitably start to show signs of wear, even in vehicles that are well looked after. Although this is only relatively harmless wear and tear, such as scratches or colour loss, which can be easily rectified with the right dye, it can still spoil the overall impression of the interior.
Swissvax Leather Healer is a special leather dye for restoring the colour of leather surfaces. It is easy to apply with a small sponge, sets automatically and does not rub off (no cream). It is finely and highly pigmented, producing a rich colour without leaving a thick layer of pigment, as is often the case with spray-on leather dyes. Leather Healer ensures that the colour of your leather is accurately and evenly restored without losing that unique leather look and feel. After applying Leather Healer, you can continue to care for the leather using the perfectly matched Swissvax products.
Leather Healer is available in 46 standard colours or can be customised to meet individual requirements. Contact us to find the right colour for your application or simply send us a small leather sample so that we can match your colour precisely.
HOW TO USE LEATHER HEALER Leather Dye
1. First test the product on a concealed spot to check its effect and if the colour matches spot-on.
2. Clean the leather with Swissvax Leather Cleaner. Degrease and clean the areas to be treated with leather benzine (or lighter fluid).
3. Shake the Swissvax Leather Healer bottle thoroughly.
4. Apply Leather Healer with a sponge and in a circular motion (avoiding streaks) or apply with a dabbing motion
if a deeper layer is required. Repeat the process several times, allowing the Healer to dry between applications.
5. The next day, treat the leather with Swissvax Leather Milk.
LEATHER GLAZE
Leather sealing
Swissvax Leather Glaze leather sealant ensures that new leather remains as good as new. It dries within minutes, leaving no shine or change in colour. With the application of Leather Glaze, wear and tear on leather can be reduced remarkably, because the colourless protective film minimises the effects of friction. The driver’s seat, steering wheel and gearstick are the areas most exposed to noticeable wear, which even becomes visible soon after the purchase of a new car. These areas should be treated early on with Leather Glaze. Leather Glaze is also ideal for protecting light-coloured leather from denim marks. Even though they will still appear, they can then be removed much easier with Leather Cleaner and cause no lasting damage, as is the case otherwise.
HOW TO USE LEATHER GLAZE Leather Sealant
1. Clean the leather with Swissvax Leather Cleaner. Degrease and clean areas to be treated with leather benzine (or lighter fluid).
2. After cleaning or dyeing the leather, apply a thin coat of Leather Glaze carefully using a clean sponge applicator, working from seam to seam.
3. Staining from clothing may still appear, but it can now be easily removed as it is left on the Leather Glaze coating and not on the leather itself.
4. The next day, treat the leather with Swissvax Leather Milk.
LEATHER GLOSS CORRECTOR MATT & GLOSSY
Too matt or too glossy?
Any collector or enthusiast knows the annoying yet unavoidable problem that interior surfaces, such as steering wheels or gearstick’s, can start to look shiny and worn from frequent use, after years leading to that unappealing “greasy” shine. These areas stand out from the overall impression of the vehicle interior as unattractive and neglected spots which spoil the entire appearance of the interior. This to us from Swissvax was reason enough to seek a remedy for this problem! Swissvax Leather Gloss Corrector Matt is an innovative solution for those “greasy” problem areas. It is simply applied to the cleaned leather, using a small sponge, and gives the treated surfaces a matt finish that once again matches the immaculate condition of the interior of the car.
Leather Gloss Corrector Matt deals with the opposite problem: Absolutely colourless, it restores the shine on dulled surfaces so that they blend in with the rest of the leather interior allowing a perfect homogeneous look. It is proverbially easy to use and the level of gloss can be gradually increased as required, by repeating the process until the match is perfect. If a single piece of leather is replaced with a new piece that looks too matt, for example, Gloss Corrector Glossy provides the desired harmonising effect.
HOW TO USE LEATHER GLOSS CORRECTOR Matt and Glossy
1. Clean the leather with Swissvax Leather Cleaner. Degrease and clean the areas to be treated with leather benzine (or lighter fluid.
2. Shake the Leather Gloss Corrector bottle thoroughly.
3. First test the product on a concealed spot to observe changes.
4. Apply Leather Gloss Corrector with a sponge and in a circular motion (avoiding streaks) or apply with a dabbing motion if a deeper layer is required. Depending on the result, repeat the process several times and leave enough time to dry between applications.
VI.5 LEATHER CARE
LEATHER MILK
Leather care
Swissvax Leather Milk is an easy-to-use, economical and powerful leather care product for all smooth leathers containing emulsifiers. In order to restore and preserve the natural moisture balance of the leather, Leather Milk is enriched with vitamin E, glycerine and UV filters. Leather Milk is applied using a Swissvax Cotton Applicator (white), after the surface has been cleaned thoroughly with Swissvax Leather Cleaner (Standard or Forte). After being spread evenly over the leather surface, it will soak in in one to two hours. It leaves no marks on clothing and requires no arduous re-polishing. Reapply every six months.
HOW TO USE LEATHER MILK Leather Care Emulsion
1. Remove dirt and residues from the leather with Swissvax Leather Cleaner.
2. Shake the bottle thoroughly before use.
3. Apply Swissvax Leather Milk evenly with a dry cotton cloth or a Swissvax Cotton Applicator (white)..
4. Leave to soak in..
IMPORTANT
Do not use Leather Cleaner or Leather Milk on buffalo skin or suede.
CARE TIP
To revive dull leather, we recommend using Swissvax Leather Healer, a colour-correct super fine leather dye.
ELEPHANT MUSEUMSFORMEL
Raindrop repellent leather preserver
Leather interior areas in convertibles, the seat cushions on the driver and passenger door sides and - in short - all leather coverings which need to be protected from raindrops – should be treated regularly with Elephant leather preserver. In contrast to animal fats, blubber oil or cheap neatsfoot oil, Elephant leather preserver does not turn brown from exposure to sunlight, does not oxidise or provide a breeding ground for mould. No wonder that Elephant leather preserver is used for leather care in leading automobile museums today.
HOW TO USE ELEPHANT Leather Preserver
1. Clean leather with Swissvax Leather Cleaner.
2. Using a cloth, massage the leather preserver sparingly into the leather.
3. Treat very old leather on both sides if possible.
4. Repeat application on a regular basis.
IMPORTANT
Do not use Elephant Lea on buffalo skin or suede.
LEATHER SOFTENER
Softening hardened leather
There are two reasons why leather hardens: One is natural ageing and related to this loss of moisture. Leather can become increasingly harder and less supple over time through lack of care, lack of movement and no re-moisturising.
The other cause is shrinking due to the exposure to heat. The plant-tanned leathers that were processed in classic automobile interiors hardened and shrank at temperatures from 70°C upwards (which under direct exposure to sunlight are easily reached). The less leather is re-moistured, the lower the temperature is at which it begins to shrink.
As a preventive and damage limitation measure, a certain degree of softness can be re-established on hardened leather, but in general shrunk leather remains shrunk. This is bad news for dashboards in particular which are difficult and time-consuming to disassemble. However, it is still advisable to treat shrunk leather with Leather Softener to protect it and make it more resistant prior to disassembly. Stiff leather coverings can be moistened with Leather Softener. Leather with a very smooth or closed pore surface should be rubbed down first with the Swissvax Leather Grinding Pad to ensure that the Leather Softener can soak in properly. Leather Softener is a synthetic oil which does not decompose like animal oils which oxidise after a short time.
HOW TO USE LEATHER SOFTENER
1. Clean all smooth leathers with Swissvax Leather Cleaner.
2. If necessary, carefully roughen up the surface with the Leather Grinding Pad.
3. Apply Swissvax Leather Softener with a sponge applicator or cloth. Allow the leather to rest for one to two days. A milder and more recommendable form of treatment is to repeat the process sparingly several times rather than performing one generous application.
VI.6 THE BEAUTY OF WOOD
WOOD POLISH
Wood care
Fine wood interior trims require special care. Most high-grade wood trims are protected with several coats of clear lacquer. The perfect care product for these eyecatchers is Swissvax Wood Polish which has been an insider-tipp among Concours d’Elégance enthusiasts for years. This incredible wax for both gloss and matt wood surfaces contains ultra-pure yellow Brazilian grade-one carnauba wax for an incomparable shine, coupled with a long-lasting nourishing effect and best protection.
HOW TO USE WOOD POLISH Special Wood Wax
1. Using a Swissvax Cotton Applicator (white), apply Cleaner Fluid Regular on the wood surface.
2. Work in the Cleaner Fluid and saturate the wood surface with even, back-and-forth movements.
3. Buff the Cleaner Fluid off with a clean Swissvax Cloth.
4. Warm the Swissvax Wood Polish with your finger in a gentle, circular motion and apply it sparingly, without pressure, with your fingertip. Allow it to work in for 5 minutes.
5. Polish to a high gloss with a clean Swissvax MicroPolish microfibre cloth (blue).
CARE TIP
Polish to a high gloss with a clean Swissvax MicroPolish microfibre cloth (blue).
