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I've got an 89 thats been garaged most all of it's life, but on a sunny day the black dash pads get so hot even if outside for even a little while. Whats the best thing to put on the dash? UV protectant? Anything to soften the dashpad? What do folks do? I'm not willing to use one of those carpet covers etc - but I would like not to worry about it cracking when sitting in the driveway etc on a Saturday afternoon in the Georgia sun.
The dash is made out of styrofoam with a protective/decorative layer on top. I don't think there is a way to soften the dash pad. Mine is still fine after 31 years, so I don't think you'll have a problem.
32 years here, without issues. I keep my 85 (and 90) in the garage as much as possible, especially here in florida. the mid-day sun is brutal down here. not sure there's any products that can guarantee anything, but for the most part, keeping it clean is the best thing to do. avoid products that adds any kind of gloss to the surface. parking in the shade is really the only answer. like you i'm a bit concerned, since replacement pads are a bit pricey. anything you can do to shade the dash from direct sunlight, especially during the heat of the day, is the best thing. like you, i'm not keen on the carpet dash-mats either. about the only thing I can think of is a custom fit windshield sunshade to protect the dash and steering wheel. sorry I can't be much help. try "googling" the subject. might give you some food for thought. good luck - if you come up with anything, reply back.
Living in S Florida with the heat and sun, and temperature always in the 90s, I bought dash pad cover, to protect, it sure worked after 20 plus years, pad perfect condition, and never put anything on it. The cover did what it was suppose to do, PROTECT!
Does this product leave it shiny and create glare in sunlight? I would prefer a product that protects but create glare on windshield when in bright sunlight or at night with oncoming traffic.
Living in S Florida with the heat and sun, and temperature always in the 90s, I bought dash pad cover, to protect, it sure worked after 20 plus years, pad perfect condition, and never put anything on it. The cover did what it was suppose to do, PROTECT!
I purchased a dash cover from Cover King. Covers the whole dash. Not expensive either.
Don't really care for dash cover, I'm not trying to hide a cracked dash that's in poor condition just want to protect it and keep the somewhat factory dull finish so it won't reflect on windshield, impairing vision.
My 94 sits in the garage when I"m not driving it just want to preserve the 23 year old dash and not have windsheild glare when driving, armor all and others make it shine but also makes a reflection that impairs vision.I would like a product that doesn't shine and reflect back on the windshield if one exists. I usually just wipe it with a damp rag to clean off any dust. It really has no shine when it's clean. To me dash covers are cheap looking and don't care for them.
Last edited by A Peter C4; May 13, 2017 at 12:15 AM.
Does this product leave it shiny and create glare in sunlight? I would prefer a product that protects but create glare on windshield when in bright sunlight or at night with oncoming traffic.
my 2-cents, FWIW - something that cleans and protects, and does not leave any kind of gloss or shine, try ICE premium care, interior cleaner and protectant. I've been using this stuff for years....
Does this product leave it shiny and create glare in sunlight? I would prefer a product that protects but create glare on windshield when in bright sunlight or at night with oncoming traffic.
No gloss, actually leaves dash flat black in my experience.
As far as dash pads cracking goes...if you don't DD your car and it is (and always has been) garage kept you shouldnt really worry about it. My father never garaged his cars (not a car guy, just transportation to him) and his cars sat in the sun, rain and snowstorms in front of our house or at his work, and it took on average of 6 years for the dashes to crack on his vehicles.
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89 Dashpad (how to protect from cracking)
