protecting dash on car

[imported_ffmedic]

I want to protect my wifes car dash since it sits outide` 24 7 I have aerospace 303 is this ok and how often should I reapply if using it or whats a better product to protect against uv rays

[David Fermani]

I hate to break it to you, but interiors don`t require any protectants. Mondern interior components have UV inhibitors built into their factory coatings. And then there`s the windshield and side glass that blocks out almost all of the harmful UV rays. I would just avoid any protectants. Especially ones that claim to offer UV protection. Any kind of protection they might offer is very short lived (as in days) so you`d have to reapply it daily. But again, I don`t feel it`s needed. Just keep things clean and out of the heat and things will last decades w/o any issues.`

[Accumulator]

Right, no real need to protect it.` If you want to go all overkill for your peace of mine, just lay something over it when it`s sitting in the sun all day, or use one of those windshield shades.

[jfelbab]

What will protect your dash is a sun shade. `The sun can cause the dash to get very hot. `Some fairly late model vehicles are experiencing cracks in the dash so they do benefit from protection and that, IMO, would be a car shade or a car cover. ` A visit of most any car model forum and a search for "dash cracking" will show this is not uncommon. `I agree with David that most dashes will not benefit from a UV protector application but I have seen enough cracked dashes to know the heat will take its toll over time. `A sun shade will keep the dash cool.


`


Some examples can be found here:


Lexus dash cracking (`https://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=chr-greentree_sf&ei=utf-8&ilc=12&type=576859&p=lexus%20dash%20cracking`)


Mazda dash cracking (`https://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=chr-greentree_sf&ei=utf-8&ilc=12&type=576859&p=Mazda%20dash%20cracking`)


Chevy dash cracking (`https://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=chr-greentree_sf&ei=utf-8&ilc=12&type=576859&p=Chevy%20dash%20cracking`)


Corvette dash cracking (`https://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=chr-greentree_sf&ei=utf-8&ilc=12&type=576859&p=Corvette%20dash%20cracking`)


Ford dash cracking (`https://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=chr-greentree_sf&ei=utf-8&ilc=12&type=576859&p=Ford%20dash%20cracking`)


Infiniti dash cracking (`https://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=chr-greentree_sf&ei=utf-8&ilc=12&type=576859&p=Infiniti%20dash%20cracking`)


BMW dash cracking (`https://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=chr-greentree_sf&ei=utf-8&ilc=12&type=576859&p=BMW%20dash%20cracking`)


MB dash cracking (`https://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=chr-greentree_sf&ei=utf-8&ilc=12&type=576859&p=MB%20dash%20cracking`)

[David Fermani]

I have seen enough cracked dashes to know the heat will take its toll over time. `A sun shade will keep the dash cool.


`


`



Agree that heat is the culprit and will cause the dash material to dry out/warp/crack. I just wish people would stop being told and believing that you need a protectant for your dash and that it blocks out UV.`

[az57chevy]

I may be old skool but AZ heat and sun dries out everything.` I use 303 and other items plus have used a dash mat.YMMV

[Lonnie]

One thing I do KNOW that protectants on dash boards do in the summer is gas-off and leave a "film" on the inside of windshields. Many drivers take their finger and wipe this film, thinking it comes from the vinyl/plastic dash, when in fact, it may come from your protectant.` A good glass cleaner and microfiber wipe makes short work of this.


`


That said, I still use 303 on dash boards because of its more natural-matte shine. Some people like shiny plastic to show that those surfaces have been cleaned and detailed. I`am NOT a big fan of that because of the glare/reflection it causes in the bright summer sun off the dash and onto the windshield, causing vision problems.`Glare/blindness through`the windshield is bad enough with`going into the sun`at early morning or late evening and the multitude of vehicular accidents attributed to this "phenomenon"; why compound the problem throughout the day! (Just my two cents worth)

[David Fermani]

I was under the impression that that outgassing comes from the textiles/chemicals used within the interior trim? Walk a dealer lot and pretty much every new car will have this happening and it`s not like those cars had any kind of protectant applied to it.`

[Ron Ketcham]

What is actually taking place is a couple of things.


One, the key component in the vinyl that makes it have it`s slight or more gloss are "plastizers", which are part of not only vinyl, but paint on the car.`


Two, those in the dash are not locked in like in the paint/clear and heat will create the situation where the "plastizers" are "sweated" out of the substrate.


In the very hot, hi-temp, areas like parts of Arizona, Florida, etc the dash temp can exceed 250 to 290 F. which sweats them out.`


Once gone, and that "fog" on the inside of the windshield is not always the "PDMS" dressing that people use and buy into it`s "UV" protection promised in the advertising, and is only good at it adds a bit of "gloss" to reflect the UV rays, but it will evaporate from the surface in high heat, in a short time.


That "fogging" of the inside of a windshield, in high heat areas is more the plastizers, off gassing and they end up deposited on the inside of the windshield.


The UV`s can then do their damage as well.


Live in the area`s that have high temps, a lot of high UV exposure, well, a "dash mat" is about as good as you can get to slow down the plastizers loss.`


They are a "true barrier" to the damaging heat and UV exposure. No normal dressing will do much in reality, other than make one feel they are "doing something good", but are not informed on what is really going on.`


But, using them does help keep the old economy churning on.

[David Fermani]

No normal dressing will do much in reality, other than make one feel they are "doing something good", but are not informed on what is really going on.`


But, using them does help keep the old economy churning on.



`


Words of wisdom :)`

[Scottwax]

Honestly, most people need nothing more than something like Meguiars Interior QD to use as a light cleaner and to leave a "new" look. Older cars may need something like Optimum Protectant Plus or 303 (which both leave a light sheen) to restore the original look. But as far as helping the dash last a long time goes, keeping it clean is #1.`

[Lonnie]

Ron Ketcham:


Thanks for` setting me straight on what cause the film build-up on the inside of windshields. Are the plastizers` part of that new car smell??

[Ron Ketcham]

They are a part of it, but there are many other items that contribute, from adhesives, to the rubber seals, the carpet, etc. They all "off gas" for a while.

[imported_ffmedic]

Thank you for all the replys my first thought was a sin shade sick I always use on my Mercedes but it`s my wife`s car and she won`t use one unfortunately

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