Chemical Guys Total Interior Review – Streak-Free or Marketing Hype?
“One bottle for everything” sounds perfect—until streaks and shine show up where you want a clean, matte look. We tested Total Interior on plastics, leather, screens, and glass, and compared it to Jimbo’s Complete Cabin Cleaner.
Quick Verdict
Total Interior: Convenient on light dust and general plastics, but prone to light haze on glass/screens and piano-black if over-used or wiped in the sun.
Why we prefer Complete Cabin Cleaner: Consistent, streak-free, matte OEM finish across all interior surfaces—especially sensitive glass and screens.
Pros & Cons (Total Interior)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| All-in-one convenience for quick wipe-downs | Can leave haze on glass/screens if over-applied |
| Freshened look on plastics and vinyl | Gloss can look shiny on some trims instead of OEM matte |
| Works with a simple spray-and-wipe | Streaks more easily in heat/sun; technique sensitive |
Our Test Setup
- Vehicles: two late-model interiors with piano-black trim and infotainment screens.
- Method: shaded garage, panel-by-panel; two-towel process (damp + dry buff).
- Towels: Everyday Microfiber Towels for cleaning, Softer Than Soft for final glass/screen buff.
- Products: Chemical Guys Total Interior vs. Jimbo’s Complete Cabin Cleaner.
Results
Plastics, Vinyl, Leather
Total Interior cleaned everyday dust and fingerprints. On glossy plastics, it sometimes left a faint sheen. Complete Cabin Cleaner wiped to a uniform, non-greasy matte OEM finish.
Screens & Interior Glass
Total Interior could leave micro-streaks if sprayed too heavy. Using a lightly damp towel helped, but we still needed extra buffing. Complete Cabin Cleaner cleared on the first pass with a dry follow-up towel—no rainbowing or haze.
User Experience
Total Interior is handy for quick wipe-downs when perfection isn’t required. For detail-quality clarity (especially on glass and screens), Complete Cabin Cleaner was easier and more consistent.
Head-to-Head: Total Interior vs. Complete Cabin Cleaner
| Factor | Chemical Guys Total Interior | Jimbo’s Complete Cabin Cleaner |
|---|---|---|
| Finish | Clean with light sheen on some surfaces | Matte OEM across plastics, vinyl, leather, glass, screens |
| Streaking on Glass/Screens | Higher if over-applied or in sun | Low with two-towel method |
| Scent/Residue | Light, may need extra buff on glossy trim | Neutral, residue-free when used as directed |
| Technique Sensitivity | Moderate—spray onto towel, not surface | Forgiving—easy wipe and buff |
Streak-Free Interior: Step-by-Step
- Work cool: Shade only; hot glass/trim = streaks.
- Pre-dust: Quick dry wipe to remove loose lint.
- Two-towel method: Lightly mist Complete Cabin Cleaner onto Towel #1 (not the surface). Wipe in a crosshatch. Immediately follow with Towel #2 dry.
- Edges & corners: Use a clean corner of the towel to get right up to bezels and seals.
- Final glass pass: Buff with Softer Than Soft for crystal clarity.
Bottom Line
Total Interior is convenient, but consistency matters—especially on glass and screens. For a reliable, streak-free matte OEM finish on every surface, Jimbo’s Complete Cabin Cleaner was the clear winner in our tests.
Best Total Interior Alternative: Complete Cabin Cleaner
Streak-free on glass and screens. Matte OEM finish on plastics, vinyl, and leather—no shiny residue.
