Autobrite's cheerful bottle of pink spray is a silicone-based cleaner and dressing for protecting plastic, vinyl, rubber. Anyone who has used silicone spray before will be aware that it's a rather impressive lubricant, turning any treated surface into an ice rink. But Pink Sheen isn't quite as intense as that.
Silicone-based cleaners have a reputation for being too harsh for car interior materials. Autobrite is fully aware of this and has toned down this product so that it protects the aforementioned materials rather than ruin them. Mission accomplished? Let's see.
Verdict: An effective and versatile interior cleaner and protectant, but can produce a slightly glossy finish.
Score: 4/5
Pros:
• Two-in-one interior cleaner and dressing
• Provides genuine protection
**Cons:
**• Don’t get it on your hands
Specifications:
Volume 500ml
Finish Matt-satin
Scent Floral
Anti-static Yes
UV protection Yes (but it’s not explicit)
Materials Plastic, vinyl, rubber, metal
Extras Works on internal and external trim, cleans and protects
What's good?
Spraying a bright pink liquid onto your precious interior trim can be a bit daunting. It's kind of like taking the first mouthful of super spicy Sambar stew, wondering how much damage it could do. In both cases, trust the chef. As long as you have a microfibre cloth ready in your other hand, Pink Sheen buffs to a non-greasy matte/satin finish rather than a streaky pink mess.
We first applied Pink Sheen to the plastic door trim of our beloved Volvo C30, which due to daily use, had accumulated a bit of muck. Pink Sheen worked very well as a cleaner, on par with another two-in-one interior products we've tested - Duel Autocare Satin Interior Detailer.
Where Pink Sheen does much better, though, is in terms of protection. Because this spray is silicone-based, it really feels like a protective layer is being applied, like with a car wax. Many products don't provide such reassurance upon application and you have to wait for the days and weeks to pass to see if it works. With Pink Sheen, you know immediately.
In terms of durability, Autobrite says Pink Sheen lasts for weeks. Protection against dashboard fade and cracking and dust accumulation are all part of the service this product supplies. You can also apply it to appropriate external trim too, if you wish. It won't last too long, probably about a month depending on circumstances, but certainly offers some convenience in this regard.
Many car cleaning products have fragrance and it's very hit and miss with all the cherry, citrus, and other intense aromas. Autobrite's Pink Sheen smells more subtle and floral, like your grandparents' bathroom. Or your own bathroom if you are the grandparent.
What's okay?
In terms of protection, there is something a bit ambiguous about Pink Sheen. Autobrite says it "prevents dashboards from cracking, fading and splitting due to its protection characteristics', all symptoms of UV degradation. However, Autobrite doesn't mention UV protection. This is odd, and it needs to be clear about it because UV protection is the most important characteristic of an interior dressing. The lack thereof is what led the Duel Autocare Satin Interior Detailer to lose points.
Dedicated dressings like Gtechniq C6 Matt Dash produce a distinctive non-shiny finish. Pink Sheen is more towards the glossy end of what's acceptable as an interior cleaner finish. Thus, we'd certainly recommend using it sparingly.
Any negatives?
Through careful buffing and avoiding overapplication, Pink Sheen can be kept to a minimal glossy finish. But it could produce shiny streaks if you weren't careful. Also, being silicone-based, it remains quite stubbornly on your hands if you get it there. If you do, make sure you wash it off thoroughly before touching anything otherwise you'll end up transferring it onto your phone, glass or whatever it is you touch. Best to use gloves.
Other items to consider
How we tested it
We applied Autobrite Pink Sheen exactly in accordance with the printed instructions on the label. During testing, we applied it both by spraying directly onto surfaces and onto a microfibre cloth first. Pink Sheen was applied in specific areas so we could directly compare treated and untreated surfaces.