Results 1 to 11 of 11
  1. #1
    Guest
    Ok this is a stupid question but is there a real need for dash protectants?? I do see a need for leather protectants but not dashboards. I havent seen a cracked dashboard on a single 90s model vehicle in my life. I hate the sheen of dash protectants, I simply wipe mine with a damp MF then a dry MF, works great. Maybe if you keep your car for 10 years plus there is a need but I dont see a reason to waste money on 303(which is costly) to protect something that doesnt really need protection..

  2. #2

    Join Date
    Jan 2003
    Posts
    2,320
    Post Thanks / Like
    I see a need for dash protectants. My example would be my parent`s 91 corolla. Sunlight has taken its toll on the interior plastics.



    I personally use Lexol Vinylex. I don`t like the matte look yet don`t like the AA high gloss, the medium sheen of Vinylex suits my tastes.



    There was an absolute head turning difference between a untreated and a treated surface when I did the inside of the corolla. It went from a chaulky grey to a deep dark rich grey. It restored the factory like look with a little bit of sheen added.



    The Vinylex also has cleaners in it that helped get rid of the year of accumulated grim. The terry cloth turned light grey removing the dirt and such.



    So a once a year (twice for smokers) wash with dawn or diluted multi-purpose cleaner followed by a protectant every 2-3 months = much better than nothing at all.



    Jason

  3. #3

    Join Date
    Aug 2006
    Posts
    139
    Post Thanks / Like
    The sun is a brutal beast.

    I saw more than a few faded and cracked dashes on `90`s cars at the Carlisle Ford Nationals a few weeks ago.

  4. #4

    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Posts
    3,534
    Post Thanks / Like
    Cracking dashes were a big problem in the 70s and 80s, for both domestic and impoted cars. Car makers have improved the durability of interior plastics considerably in the last 10-15 years. While they`re are cars that may not have as advanced materials I think most cars are OK without any protectants.



    It all depends on your long term view of the car. If you plan to keep it 10 years then protectants are a good thing, if only for preventive maintenance. But if you lease or trade every few years, why waste the money?



    Looks are one thing. I`m speaking from a durability perspective.

  5. #5
    Guest
    Originally posted by bretfraz

    Cracking dashes were a big problem in the 70s and 80s, for both domestic and impoted cars. Car makers have improved the durability of interior plastics considerably in the last 10-15 years. While they`re are cars that may not have as advanced materials I think most cars are OK without any protectants.



    It all depends on your long term view of the car. If you plan to keep it 10 years then protectants are a good thing, if only for preventive maintenance. But if you lease or trade every few years, why waste the money?



    Looks are one thing. I`m speaking from a durability perspective.




    that is exactly my take on it.

  6. #6

    Join Date
    Jan 2002
    Location
    Memphis, TN
    Posts
    635
    Post Thanks / Like
    I, personally, think they are very necessary for a daily driver that you intend to keep for a while, i.e. my 10 y.o Camaro. I never have used dash protectants for their shine qualities, but rather their protective qualities like UV, fading, and cracking protection. I guess to put my money where my mouth is, so to speak, my dash has always had a UV protectant on it since Day 1, and there`s not one crack or faded spot to be found. I think that would be much different if I had never used anything.....or something for shine and not protection..... UV and heat is a BIG killer on exterior and interior peices, so any car needs all the protection it can get, especially if exposed on a daily basis!



    :wavey

  7. #7

    Join Date
    Dec 2009
    Posts
    53
    Post Thanks / Like
    Does anybody know if window tinting will help block the nasty stuff? I`ve seen too many old cars with faded out rear head rests because of it, and I don`t want my car to end up like this.



    Thanks

  8. #8

    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Posts
    494
    Post Thanks / Like
    Window tinting will help out quite a bit, but a lot of UV rays are still attacking the plastics, and vinyl. Depending on how dark you went with the windows.

  9. #9

    Join Date
    Nov 2006
    Posts
    115
    Post Thanks / Like
    Three words:



    303 Aerospace Protectant



    Simply THE best in any non-metal protectant.

  10. #10

    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Location
    Red Stick/Nawlins
    Posts
    2,917
    Post Thanks / Like
    Why not get a custom dash mat? I looked at them for F-150s and they are about $50. That is a one time purchase and it`ll protect your dash from UV. Then you can get all you windows tinted and that`ll protect the rest of your car You`ll need the dash mat though since you don`t wanna tint your windshield.
    2005 F-150 Reg Cab Flareside 5.4L

    Chemical Engineers: More refined than the rest.

  11. #11

    Join Date
    Dec 2001
    Location
    Charlotte, NC
    Posts
    632
    Post Thanks / Like
    Originally posted by AlBoston

    I hate the sheen of dash protectants... I dont see a reason to waste money on 303(which is costly) to protect something that doesnt really need protection..


    If you don`t like sheen and don`t want to spend money for 303, I strongly reccomend Black Magic Semi-Gloss dash protectant. At under $3 a bottle, it has less sheen than 303 but still offers UV protectors and limited dust attraction. By the way you are talking, it`s exactly what you would want to use, just to be on the safe side for your car.
    -Chuckmotor

 

 

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Those cleaners that are also protectants...
    By levander in forum Car Detailing
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 01-28-2010, 03:00 PM
  2. Pictures of dash protectants
    By imported_RedlineIRL in forum Car Detailing
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: 09-28-2007, 08:14 PM
  3. Plastic Protectants
    By BMW335i in forum Car Detailing Product Discussion
    Replies: 15
    Last Post: 03-08-2007, 09:16 AM
  4. has anyone tried these new armor all protectants?
    By BigAl3 in forum Car Detailing Product Discussion
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 08-26-2005, 10:34 PM
  5. Fabric Protectants???
    By imported_Mobile detail in forum Car Detailing
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 03-10-2003, 09:41 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •