I picked up a complete dash today that has no cracks in the pad. It is dirty and quite dry so needs to be cleaned, but my question is how best to save it?

I will want to paint it at some point, but in the interim do I slather it with Armor All? It needs something in order to soften it up and preserve it. But, how hard is it to get it off to paint?

 

do not, i repeat DO NOT use armor-all.. that crap ruins dashboard pads, door panels and whatever else you put it on.. same goes for that son of a gun junk.. my uncle used that snake oil crud on my 88 ranger years ago.. now the dash pad is all burned and cracked..I suggest getting a dash-mat.. my 1990 f250 has had one since it was new and the dash still looks new.. all you need to do is keep the sun away from the dash pad and the dash-mat does just that..when i had my 86 bronco (before it got totalled) it also had a dashmat and the dash pad looked almost perfect (except for a small crack around the speaker hole) previous owner said he never used armor-all. and i knew he was telling the truth by not finding any of that nasty greasy residue with dust all stuck in it anywhere on the dash. I live in Phoenix, AZ and the summer sun can be brutal on dash pads..alot of people here use the dash-mats.. and for giving my dash a nice shine i use plain old lemon scented Pledge..doesn't leave that nasty greasy residue.

 

A buddy of mine swears by baby oil. The dash and seats in his 73 Eldorado look great.

 

If you really dont want a dash mat, they make rejuvenating oils for viyls, plastics, and rubbers. they seem to work pretty good. As far as later cleanup for painting...Sand the dash down a bit and clean up with an ammonia solution.

 

alhauger,
Do know of any rejuvenating liquids that work? That's what I'm looking for as I don't even have the pad installed. It is sitting in my shop and I'd like to soften it up over the next few months before I paint it. Probably won't put it in for quite some time as there are more serious issues w/the truck, but I'd like to get started.

 

got any pics of a dashmat? i'm not sure i know what you mean.

 

I would reccomend this stuff called 303 Protectant. It was designed for use as a sun screen on outdoor vinyl hot-tub covers. It was the only chemical approved for use on my tonneau, using armour all would actually void the warranty. Since i found it i have used it on the plastic on all my vehicles. It helps clean, protect, and isnt shiny or greasy.

 

I think they're referring to one of those carpeted covers you put over your dash. I plan to get one for my truck.


Here's a pic on some other vehicle. Same idea though.

 

I'll go looking for the 303 Protectant. Thanks.

 

Give us a note where you find it.

thanks

 

I have always bought it at the local pool / spa place but also recently saw it for sale at a canoe / kayak shop. I was surprised to find out they use it on the dry-tops kayakers wear.

303 Products - Aerospace Protectant, High Tech Fabric Guard - World's Leading Automotive Care Products

 

Ordered it from Amazon. Should be in when we get home from this vacation. Will let you know how it does.

 

As 80flairside stated. 303 That is the best moistureizer out there.

Extang states right in their warranty paper work you MUST use 303 otherwise you void the warranty.

It protects and conditions with out leaving everything greasy and sticky. Dust actually is repelled. I have used it since 96 and have not one complaint or one cracked dash pad

 

Gary, can you give a 5 year update on this? How did the 303 work out over time? I just found a ~perfect dash pad with no cracks anywhere, and I found this thread while trying to look up how to take care of it.

Any other advice besides the 303? Mine has some crumbling foam under the speaker holes. Did you do anything to try to give the vinyl skin extra support where the speaker holes are?

Also wondering if you ever painted yours and how the paint took after using the 303. The dash pad is the wrong color for my interior plans, so it would help to know if I should hold off on the protectant until after I paint it. Thanks.

 

I like 303, but it didn't rejuvenate the plastic. The damage had already been done and there wasn't any way to make its skin new. However, the 303 probably stopped it from aging more. But, it isn't only the skin that ages, as the foam goes away in the speaker holes. Apparently the foam isn't as UV stable as the plastic, and I don't know that anything can save the foam. And I don't know of a way to support the skin when the foam goes away.

However, a guy on here has created a plate to go in the speaker hole, so if your dash is otherwise in good shape you could go that way. Do a search for "dash plate" and I think you'll find it. If not, let me know and I'll find it.

As for painting, I have painted lots of plastic and vinyl for these trucks, and the SEM paint system works really well. They have most of the colors as well as the necessary cleaners, adhesive promoters, etc. In fact, there's a how-to on here about that if you look in the stickies. But, if you are going to paint the dash I sure wouldn't use 303 on it. The paint won't stick to 303 and getting it off will be work.

Good luck!