1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Sunblock on Softex seats and black plastic

Discussion in 'General 4Runner Talk' started by lrizzo, Jul 11, 2022.

  1. Jul 11, 2022 at 11:37 AM
    #1
    lrizzo

    lrizzo [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2020
    Member:
    #17658
    Messages:
    149
    Gender:
    Male
    Northern New Jersey
    Has anyone successfully removed sunblock stains from the black Softex seats and hard black plastic trim pieces by the inside of the doors? I tried Griots interior cleaner with a microfiber cloth and it looks like it got most of it off but still see traces of it. I obviously didn't want to use anything abrasive so I just wanted to see if anyone else had this experience. If so, is it just a matter of more elbow grease? This is the sunblock with zinc oxide.
    Thank you,
     
  2. Jul 11, 2022 at 1:38 PM
    #2
    lrizzo

    lrizzo [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2020
    Member:
    #17658
    Messages:
    149
    Gender:
    Male
    Northern New Jersey
    Thank you. I am going to try the water mixed with vinegar and I'll let you know how I make out. I am trying to do the least harshest solution. I'm just picky and trying to extend the life of my truck as long as possible.
     
    7385 likes this.
  3. Jul 12, 2022 at 4:17 AM
    #3
    HarrisNC

    HarrisNC New Member

    Joined:
    May 19, 2021
    Member:
    #21571
    Messages:
    162
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2022 Limited
    I had good luck with a gojo type wipe that comes in a bucket and then wipe leather/vinyl cleaner on right after. That zinc sunblock is horrible.
     
  4. Jul 12, 2022 at 6:54 AM
    #4
    FN2187

    FN2187 Stormtrooper

    Joined:
    Jul 6, 2022
    Member:
    #27707
    Messages:
    1,227
    Earth
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRD ORP w/ KDSS
    Victory 4x4 Blitz front bumper Smittybilt 10k Synthetic Gobi Stealth no-rise RCI sliders Rago panels and shelf, dash mount RCI Alu skids Dobinsons 2.5/1.5 285/70 Cooper Discoverer Rugged Trek SSO Hitch Mounted Swingout Anytime Front/Rear Camera
    Subscribing to thread to also get ideas. I thought it may come off with a baby butt wipe (they are amazing for getting small stains off of carpet, like when the dog hurls). Sounds like it may involve more effort on my part when i get to it. Good news is the stains have faded over the past year - if I continue to do nothing then in 100 years nobody will ever know!
     
  5. Jul 12, 2022 at 7:39 AM
    #5
    ferrisDJB

    ferrisDJB New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2020
    Member:
    #17860
    Messages:
    27
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRD Off Road
    nothing yet
    That 50/50 solution of white vinegar works real well. You could even bump up the vinegar content a bit, but vinegar should do the trick. I had a radar detector mounted to windshield but resting on dash. To keep it steady I attached a velcro strip under the unit/on top of dash. went to pull the dash velcro off and left a nasty stickem film on dash. Tried everything including acetone, NO GOOD!!!. So the vinegar did the trick, but the acetone was a nightmare. It smeared the stickem and was hell to undo, but the vinegar did the job....lots of elbow grease and vinyl treatment.
     
    7385 likes this.
  6. Jul 16, 2022 at 5:42 AM
    #6
    lrizzo

    lrizzo [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2020
    Member:
    #17658
    Messages:
    149
    Gender:
    Male
    Northern New Jersey
    Sorry it took me a week to respond to this thread I started but was very busy at work. This morning I finally had a chance to try the vinegar & water mix to remove the zinc sunblock. I mixed a 50/50 mix of vinegar and water. Sprayed it down and worked it in with a microfiber cloth. I then wiped it with another clean microfiber cloth. It worked OK but did not remove it 100%. I figured it needed something to foam up for it to work a little better. I do remember reading a long time ago people would mix water and woolite to wipe down interiors in cars that was gentle but foamed up pretty well when agitated. I put a splash of woolite laundry detergent into the mix. I sprayed it directly on the surface and used a clean stiff bristle brush to work it in a little bit. I wiped it off with a clean microfiber cloth and lo & behold the stain was finally gone! Here are some before and after pictures.

    upload_2022-7-16_8-37-25.jpg
    upload_2022-7-16_8-38-4.jpg
    upload_2022-7-16_8-38-36.jpg
     
  7. Jul 16, 2022 at 7:39 AM
    #7
    Dabigono

    Dabigono Just Joined

    Joined:
    Dec 24, 2018
    Member:
    #8196
    Messages:
    3,649
    Vehicle:
    2020 4Runner
    ^^^^ thanks. Im gonna file this in my “things to remember” file
     
  8. Jul 16, 2022 at 8:03 AM
    #8
    PVT Pablo

    PVT Pablo

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2016
    Member:
    #1694
    Messages:
    2,211
    First Name:
    Paul
    Kitsap County, WA
    Vehicle:
    2016 4Runner TRD Pro
    Anybody tried steam? I've seen quite a few videos using steam cleaners but haven't bought one yet.
     

Products Discussed in

To Top