Alcohol Prep Pad Damages Dash - Need Help.

Clownn

New member
I was "prepping" the surface on my dashboard to receive a mount for my iPhone. The mount has an adhesive pad that needs to adhere to a clean surface. The mount came with an alcohol prep pad and instructions to use it on the dash. The photo shows the result of following the instructions. I took it to a local car detailing shop and he tried to use some rubbing compound on it without success. Anybody here have any idea on what I might be able to do to fix this?

Thanks!

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Ouch!!! that sucks, try looking on the Internet, there's places that will refinish these panels...or buy from dealer Good Luck
 
You shouldn't be using/looking at your iPhone while driving anyway. Get Bluetooth.
Bluetooth won't help if the phone is used for navigation

To OP try a hand polishing with a finish polish or if there is space a DA with 3 inch pad

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Sorry you didnt notice this happening fast enough before it got ruined..
You might have to replace this panel..
Dan F
 
It's still helpful to see a navigation map. No different than an in car navigation or dedicated stand alone unit.

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wow - I've used alcohol on numerous plastics and vinyl and never had swirl scratches like that?! I wonder if the rubbing compound did more harm than good? Maybe a fine polish or cover it with the iphone mount or replace the panel. You might explore salvage if the new price seems steep.
 
wow - I've used alcohol on numerous plastics and vinyl and never had swirl scratches like that?! I wonder if the rubbing compound did more harm than good? Maybe a fine polish or cover it with the iphone mount or replace the panel. You might explore salvage if the new price seems steep.

that's my bet
 
Clownn- Welcome to Autopia!

That looks more like abrasion-type damage than solvent-action from the IPA. Like...at least 6-8 circular/elliptical motions, each one of which was scratching the finish due to something pretty big gouging into the clear (gee, how could it go on for so long before somebody noticed what was happening?!?). Done with pretty much pressure too. Almost like the pad was still in its foil wrapper and the foil did the scratching, or a tag/seam on the cloth used to "polish" it (scare-quotes intentional).

Try polishing it with something like Meguiar's Ultimate Polish or even Ultimate Compound. Keep said products off surrounding areas and us as per instructions (with soft MicroFiber cloths that pass the CD-test). See if the results are OK and if not replace the piece. I'd be planning on replacing it.

Sad thing is that all that probably wasn't necessary. The piece may very well have been clean enough for the adhesive to stick without doing any prep at all. Getting that adhesive back *off* later might be anothe story! I'd use 3M Adhesive Removcer, which I might've used for the cleaning too, on a soft MF cloth or a foam swab, instead of the alcohol pad.

Stokdgs said:
Sorry you didnt notice this happening fast enough before it got ruined..​

That's what I was wondering about...touch media against finish, gently move media a fraction-of-inch, inspect before going farther..how did it go on for so long?
 
MUC is far to harsh for that dull spot.
I would try Meguiars Plast x first also. Start out gentle then move up. Whatever you use, try it within the dull spot itself instead of making it bigger.


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