User Submitted:
Dash Protection
I've had unfortunate cars in the past that through sun exposure developed badly cracked dashboards. They became sun baked and brittle.
Is it direct sun exposure or heat that does this? Would car shades help stop it? What else can we do to prevent it?
Bookmark/Search this post with:
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
| 
We've used Armor All before
We've used Armor All before on our car dashes and interior and have always been very pleased with it. However, I do think that a dash cover would be a great help as well, especially if this car is going to be sitting in the hot, bright sun for several hours at a time.
~stangchic~
I've never heard of armor
I've never heard of armor all-is it like a polish or lacquer that you apply to the interior? Does it release a lot of fumes when you apply it? How hard it is to use, would you be better off having it done by a professional?
Armour-All comes in a spray
Armour-All comes in a spray or liquid. When applied to the dashboard and seats it helps restore moisture preventing it from drying out and cracking as easily. You can get Armour-All for different surface types. Some Armour-All products are designed for cleaning, others for restoring.
Vicky
Plastics definitely break
Plastics definitely break down in the UV light from the sun and the amplified effect from the windshield. Vintage cars are often not made with the same types of plastics, nor the same windshield (depending on replacement, etc) and often are kept covered or inside to protect the entire car. The shades and covers will help, as will using some of the dash specific products. I think some are just poorly made to stand up to time though.
I know many people end up
I know many people end up using a good cleaner that will help to protect it or a dash cover. If you have issues with this maybe its where you are leaving your car in direct sun at?
I would think that high
I would think that high temperatures and sitting in the sun for hours are what causes this problem. Sun shades are made to keep your dash much cooler and should help prevent this easily and affordably.
~stangchic~
Plastics break down in
Plastics break down in normal conditions, let alone in the beating that they can get in a car windshield. The heat and sunlight speed up the process.
So yes, using a sunshade might help, as could a dash cover. You might be able to use some kind of wax perhaps, to stop it trying out. Ultimately I don't think you can totally halt this, as time itself will have an affect.
So I can reduce the speed
So I can reduce the speed at which the damage occurs but cannot stop it? It's just strange because you see vintage cars and they aren't all cracked and broken up, so I thought perhaps there was more that I could do to keep mine from damage.
Vintage were often made different
A lot of the vintage cars were made with different materials – more vinyl (instead of plastic), more leather, more metal, etc. Cars aren't the only thing to go through this. Everything pretty much is made less sturdy these days in the idea of saving money now (using cheaper materials).
I couldn't comment on the
I couldn't comment on the classics as I haven't worked on one, or kept one. Just modern cars I'm afraid.
All I can say is take the precautions and hope that it helps. Maybe talk to a dealer about it if you are unsure.
I think its some product
I think its some product of Armor that I use but I cant think of the name of it. I have an older car that we don't use too much but any time we do and people get in they are impressed by the not so wear and tear the interior has (since its all leather).