dashboard cleaning and shining

10531 Views 8 Replies 7 Participants Last post by SLK2C230K, Apr 12, 2003

silverc230k

Discussion Starter · Aug 15, 2002

i've been using armor-all on my dash and I find it's streaking more than I've seen on my other car...does anyone recommend something else?

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corkdork

· #2 · Aug 16, 2002

Lexol Vinylex is best

Lexol Vinylex is one of the best products on the market. For really good info on products and fairly decent pricing, go to: http://www.carcareonline.com

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Lynn

· #3 · Aug 17, 2002

Good suggestion and welcome to the forum, corkdork.

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A word to the wise when it comes to vinyl cleaner/protectant. Meguiars, last time I checked used a petroleum based cleaner/protectant, these are not good. Petroleum based products sit on top of the dash and give it that cheap shiny appearance and actually can make the dash heat up more since it acts to trap heat under this layer of silicone. Water based protectants are what you are looking for. Klasse and Aerospace 303 both make excellent cleaners/protectors that are water based, and both have excellent UV blockers. I have used both and am partial to the Klasse product, it leaves an nice matte finish on the dash that doesn't make it look cheap like Meguiars, Armorall, and the like.

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magicmercedes

· #5 · Apr 11, 2003

Dashboard cleaning

The service advisor at Mercedes told me the best thing to use for the dash & all vinyl is just plain water.

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Lynn

· #6 · Apr 11, 2003

Re: Dashboard cleaning

magicmercedes said:
The service advisor at Mercedes told me the best thing to use for the dash & all vinyl is just plain water.

That's right. Just wipe it down with a damp towel. You might want to use a water based product on occasion, but not every time you clean the dash.

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jakemj8402

· #7 · Apr 12, 2003

Certainly, wiping down your dash with a damp cloth is the safest way to go, most dashes are meant to put up with a bombardment of UV rays. However, over time the vinyl on your dash loses plasticizers. Plasticizers give your dash the softer touch, over time these evaporate out of the plastic, when they evaporate (ususally the vechile is 10+ years old) it can make it more prone to brittleness and cracking. Water based vinyl protectants will kind of rehydrate the dash, and block out a lot of the UV rays. Any of you who owned a certain type of new car in the early to mid nineties might be fimilar with this "vinyl fog" that accumulated on the inside of the windshields. Its not a big deal for anyone planning to keep their cars for only a few years, if you plan to keep it much longer, than regular usage of a water-based vinyl protect can be a good investment. Whatever you use (water or a water-based vinyl protectant) stay away from petroleum based products, they are not good for the dash and make it look cheap!

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02Impressor

· #8 · Apr 12, 2003

I used those Swifters to get all the dust off then I used Windex and a paper towel. Worked fine, I guess.

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SLK2C230K

· #9 · Apr 12, 2003

OHMYGAWD...

The only thing worse than armor all is using Windex or Fantastic on your interior! These products (while being incredibly effective) contain ammonia which absolutely dries out your interior leading to cracking. Trust me. I am into boating and one of the best cleaners for the leather/vinyl/leatherette is fantastik! It cleans like nothing else... it also breaks down these finishes like nothing else I've seen! BEWARE :wink:

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