Hey everyone,
Like many others my dash pad in my bird is cracked in many places and the speaker grills are loose. I found a dash pad in excellent condition for a reasonable price. I considered just buying the cover the one I found was barely higher priced.

I'm planning on putting it in when it gets here but my question is: what are the best things I can do to keep this pad in good condition without any cracks or tears?

I read another thread on here about vinyl and polymer protectants, but I'm still unsure. I was wondering if anyone has any special tricks.

 

I'd personally use some type of vinyl conditioner (I actually use Pledge furniture polish) on it every couple of months and use a dashmat and/or at the very least, a sunshade to keep the temperature from the sun to a minimum. When the dashpad is exposed to the sun it allows the plasticizers (additives to make it soft and supple) to migrate from the PVC, When that happens it becomes aged and brittle. Some people have used gels, creams, and even petroleum jelly which will all work to keep it moisturized. you might even try a leather conditioner. Just don't use any products containing silicone. The plasticizer migration is also part of that "film" you get on the inside of your windshield. Everybody used to blame that on smoke.

 

The sun shade is a great idea. I'll definitely be getting one of those to leave up when it's parked.

About the conditioner, the Pledge furniture polish you use, I'm guessing I can get that at Walmart or Target or something. Someone I know brought up an Armor All product for the dash as well. I'm sure they're similar.

Now do you use a dash mat? I'm sure it would help take care of it but a lot of mats that I've seen in other cars don't look very nice. I guess I could always just take it down when I'm driving if it does.

 

Don't use the Armor-All as it has silicone in it. that makes it shiney but doesn't condition it. I clean my dash and then spray Pledge on a rag and rub it in. Yes, I do use a dashmat. I have for years living in San Diego, Alabama, and Texas and I have never had a crack in a dash. In a 3rd Gen you don't need to use the velcro that comes with it just tuck it in between the windshield and the dash using a wooden ruler and it stays nicely in place even in my case with the top down. It also eliminates any glare from the dash and it's easy enough to remove if you're at a show.

 

I didn't know that about Armor-All. I'll keep that in mind. I'll definitely invest in Pledge for it and a sunshade immediately. I'll get that dash mat too but it might be a little later depending on funds.

Thanks for the advice. I probably would have used Armor-All if you didn't say that.

 

Nice to see someone else who doesn't use Armor-All. I have had to educate people on the effects of silicon based detailing products.