Dash pad preservation

I just scored a perfect black dash pad!

I would like to keep it that way. :16suspect


...I haven't installed it yet. I intend to clean it up with soap and water, then I might apply some sort of protectant to hopefully preserve it and shine it up a bit.

First, it needs a little cleaning, but I don't want to use anything too harsh, or something that might dry it out. Normally I'd use Simple Green or maybe some dish soap with a mild plastic scrub pad, but since these soaps are meant to be degreasers, would they be a mistake? How about something like Murphy's Oil Soap? Am I overthinking this?

Second... What to treat it with afterwards? Not Armor All of course, but I do have something similar by Black Magic. Might that be safe? I've also heard of people using tire shine type stuff. Baby oil and Vaseline have been mentioned as well.

I'm particularly interested in the experiences of anyone who's regularly used any of these in a hot, sunny climate. My car stays in a garage when it's not being used, but it does get used. I drive it to work most days, so it sees plenty of unshaded parking lot time.

I do have an Accu-Form dash cap that I will probably continue to use for daily driving.

 

Hemmings Muscle Machine on page 92 June 2010 did a product test on white diamond product called Multi-Purpose Diamond Dressing.

I have not used it, sorry. The were happy with the cleaning it did on a 72 nova, all in all they really liked it! website www.whitediamondpolish.com

Again, I have never used it.

 

I think mild soap, warm water, and a very soft brush would work well. I have never used Murphy's. Maybe it's a better option?

I use baby oil on all my dashes and have for a long time. It keeps the material soft and flexible - which is the OPPOSITE of what Armor All (and similar products) do.

 

Pledge furniture polish works excellent.The oils keep the vinyl nice and soft.

 

We used some stuff on a friends boat, it worked awesome..I'll try and remember the name....the boat came from Georgia, and was pretty dried out, it softened everything right up.

 

I'm with rando on this one... mild soap and warm water, and a soft but thick nap terry towel (remember your grandma's scratchy ones?) and some elbow work.

But as for protection, use a good window shade during your park at work time or a dash mat you can pull off and on. Yeah, they look dorky, but the heat is culprit for ruining your dash. I wouldnt try and use the so called shine stuff or even baby oil for that matter. Ever fry chicken? Essentially this is what your doing by applying these and leaving your car in the noon sun..your cooking your dash.
Try and consult a upholstery or leather shop for there scope on this, and what products to use. I myself never have even so much as had an ounce of that shine stuff on a dash. Alittle windex on a rag and a quick swipe is all you need to keep it purdy.

 

So, anybody have an answer on what to use for normal shining/protecting of a vinyl/plastic interior?

 

What about saddle soap? Isn't it made to feed leather and keep it from drying out while cleaning? Seems like if it's good enough for a horse saddle it would be good enough for a car saddle,dash pad or anything else

 

For the most part ... black dashes don't crack nearly as much as the colored ones ...

 

Lots of suggestions here and many will probably work just fine. My suggestion is that if the car is going to stay in the sun very much...keep your dash cap on top of that nice dash pad for the best protection. Only takes a second to put it there and still looks factory. No sun damage to your nice pad. Show time...show the real thing.

 

That's the plan, pretty much.

Thanks everybody for the suggestions!

 

I have some of that... Cool, thanks! I'm a huge believer in Meguiars detailing products, I use them for just about everything.