Successful Sunscreen Removal from Softex - 2017 Prime

I've seen several threads asking for help on this issue, but I don't believe I've found a "success" thread, so here it is.

Obligatory warning: Toyota's official recommendation for "synthetic leather areas" (Softex) is:
● Remove dirt and dust using a vacuum cleaner.
● Wipe it off with a soft cloth dampened with neutral detergent diluted to approximately 1%.
● Wring out any excess water from the cloth and thoroughly wipe off remaining traces of detergent and water

Yeah. Toyota's recommendation didn't work. Sunscreen is made to chemically bond to crap. I also tried Mother's VLR cleaner, which is OK for getting dirt off, but not sunscreen that's been bonded into Softex for god knows how long (I purchased this car in Nov. 2020). I might be a dirty hiker but I don't want sunscreen on my seats!

So I turned to the wisdom of YouTube, and found a recommendation from a professional auto detailer, "Auto Fetish Detail": Meguair's super-degreaser, D108.

Here's what I did:

• Diluted the degreaser, 10 parts water to 1 part degreaser in a spray bottle.
• Put on N95 mask and kitchen gloves for protection, rolled down car windows. (It didn't seem to be that potent after dilution, but there is a warning on the bottle....)
• Sprayed degreaser on affected areas.
• Wiped with non-abrasive scrub pads (I purchased the ones Auto Fetish Detail links).
• Wiped dry with clean microfiber towel.
• Repeated about five times.
  
• SUCCESS.

 

I cleaned the car yesterday. Here's a picture from today of the cleaned seat, in better lighting.

 

The non-abrasive scrub pad helped too. If you were in the area, I'd give you some of both! I now have a giant bottle of degreaser, lol. Although apparently I can use it to clean.

Nah, it's still gonna be better for me, a dirty hiker. '03 had cloth seats and it was impossible to get all the dirt and stains out of them. Dirt wipes right off Softex. I also have WeatherTech all-season mats, so I can mostly skip vacuuming altogether. I know some people don't like the feel of Softex, but this is a cool climate so I basically never wear shorts anyway.

The sunscreen was imported from CA along with the car! Heheh, I live for the summer (high backpacking season). Fortunately my work lets me take lots of vacation then.

 

I've only owned my PP since Nov. 2017. I bought it from CA, previous owner sunscreened it! They also hit a curb so I have to replace the driver's splash shield at some point. (It's hanging down a little which I assume reduces mpg.)

I don't hate the screen; I just wish I could get my Google maps on it.

 

Yes, the plastic piece. Here are some subpar pics I took while crouching at the driver's front tire.

I think I'll try duct tape and zip ties first.

 

I forgot to reply, but the splash shield did actually have some torn-off missing bits damage, so the clips would not have worked. I used long zip ties to rig it back up. I am small enough to shimmy under my lifted car.

 

Hi Rob, sorry for the delay. I went to a Jeep 4x4 shop in Auburn, WA and paid a pro to lift it and align it. I would be very surprised if you had to pay the amount I paid in Seattle area. ($540 for lift, plus $149 for alignment.) No issues or rattles at all, but I went with one of the best shops. Here's some more info:
Prius Offroad Group