PROTECT IT! i went 2 months with out putting armerald on my dash because the cold, never really cleaned out my car. My dash was perfect not a scratch on it, then today when i went to my car 2 cracks right down the center. and u no what i seen 3 posts this week on crack dash, what i say, thank *** i dont have that problem. so just posting this to worn those procrastinators like me. protect them, i wish i did.

 

i don't like armoral on anything............keep her nice and clean and have had no problems.

main thing is to not let it sit in direct sunlight all day and then watch the temperatures drop.

 

Thats it, I'm taking it inside tomorrow. Too many people here have lost their dash this winter.

How ghetto is it gonna look without it?

 

I've heard that if you use a product like Armorall, you have to keep using that product. Other wise the parts will crack or discolor.

 

it'll look bad without it, but better then having a crack. when you take it out, make sure it's warm.

i don't believe in using armorall at all, everyone, i mean every single person i know who has used it has a cracked dash. in my opinion that crap is a big culprit in causing dashes to crack.

 

The reason it cracked is probably because you use the Armor All. It has alcohol as the main ingredient. The alcohol draws out and dries up the natural oils in the vinyl. Once you've removed the oils, the Armor All is required to keep it soft. If you discontinue using it, the vinyl will crack because it's too dry and brittle.

I don't recommend Son-of-a-Gun either. Same thing. Try using a lubricating paste from 3M or other high end manufacturers.

 

If you were to start from basics, what would you use to totally clean the pad and then what would you use as a normal lubricant or moisturizing agent?

 

I would use a mild soap and warm water to clean and remove any other products. A mild soap would be like a neutrogena bar soap. Use a soft cotton cloth to wash and dry, then apply the new protectant. 3M, Eagle One and Meguire's all have decent protectants that will protect from UV rays and will add moisturizers to the vinyl.

 

Thanks. Back to Basics for me.

 

when it gets extremely hot or cold, it would help to loosen the screws just a little bit, so it has some play to expand/contract. if it has a little freedom, the stresses in the skin are much lower.

also, i used armor all once on my first car, and while that pad never cracked, the glare and windshield reflections from a shiny dash were horrible. just let it stay dull, and wash it with mild soap and water, and occasionally with the brand-name (3M) protectants.

 

OMG!!!! after reading this post i went out to check my car, my dash was MINT!!!!! and it has cracked too!!
I get -25*c here at night. I guess i'll get a new one then.
The first owner must have heated garage kept the car during winter.

that dash must be made of cheap rubber or something

 

no crackes yet!! i havent use a cleaner on it since 2002 summer.. i just use windex to get dust off.