bighank

Would like to clean up my black dash panels. Do not want to have the top of the dash to glare in the sun by using some cleaner or polish that will make it shiny and a nuisance when driving in the sun. Have heard horror stories about ArmorAll and want to stear clear of that.

What would you recommend that will improve the looks of a 20 year old plastic dash surface but not destroy it or make it a shiny mess?

FX VETTE

Mild soap and water using a microfibre towel.

wdcraig

And usually, I skip the detergent. Just wipe down with a damp microfiber cloth. You never know how plastics are going to react to chemicals in the "wonder-product" cleaners, particularly long term.

Evil-Twin

I agree.. mist of soapy water, or just water.. some soaps are acid anhydrides, some soaps are basic anhydrides.. the test of an acidic soap is to liquify it , put it in the palm of your hand and squeeze, if you can feel heat its an acid.. not use that soap on your plastic dash or any plastic products. There are soaps used to strip the wax off a car, and others to clean the surface. without touching the wax.
An example of a PH neutral soap is Chemical guys Citrus extreme suds. will not strip waxes or sealants. You want something that is PH 7 or higher, anything below a 7 is acidic.
Bill aka ET

grampi50

This stuff works wonders on all plastics, interior or exterior...

https://www.jpcycles.com/product/900...waAmRNEALw_wcB

knewblewkorvette

That place is real close to where I live now. My old neighbor works there.

I personally don't use anything on my dash or steering wheel airbag (many horror stories on the forum about sticky airbags, the 98 I purchased had that problem). Therefore, I'm with the others. Water and microfiber towels. I imagine a little bit of car wash soap might be okay as it should not strip wax (per Evil Twin specs) but use nothing like Dawn which will strip wax.

Evil-Twin

I heard that stuff is good for crotch crickets.

Velocity_Vette

Damp microfiber towels are all I use. Soak a few, wring out, and wipe. For all the stuff that’s hard plastic and small like HVAC vents and change overs from one piece to the other I dig in with cotton swabs. Everything gets a final going over with a shop vac.

I don’t like my all black C5’s interior to be glossy and I feel glossing it up gives it a bit of a faux appearance. My opinion of course. Plus over time with just using wet microfibers everything takes on a more subduded “lived” look.

HooosierDaddy

Original bike spirits the same as Honda Polish (old formula), great for paint, glass, plastic, ect... Removes bugs and tar/grease like nothing else Ive tried and won't hurt the paint. I buy it by the case on Amazon, used on my bikes for waterless wash and currently use it on my DD Vehicles. It's really good for plastic head & tail lights. If you try it, you'll be hooked! Smells good too!


I personally wouldn't use it on a dash of my corvette, I'm a damp towel kind of guy. But for my DD's, only thing I use for interior and exterior because it's just too easy!

jjc508520

These work great - and as wipes you don't have to worry about the stuff getting onto your windshield

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Meguiar-s...0wipes&veh=sem

rrichar2591

I also stay with a damp microfiber cloth. To reduce glare, consider using a dash mat sold by several aftermarket companies.

73Corvette

Wizard makes a good product i use on my interior...

Evil-Twin

The answer can be found right in your Corvette owners manual.. Water and a clean cloth.

BlackHellcat

303 ftw

Mayor111

Use Meguiar's Matte Finish (no shine). Nothing wrong with a damp microfiber towel, but that will just clean your surfaces...it will NOT protect them...

uz1290

Informative thread!

For all the folks using damp microfiber cloths, is there not a need to apply some sort of protectant?

TIA

Evil-Twin

That's such a good question.... For most people, especially car people, manufacturers know that car people will buy almost anything. There is so much hype in this industry to get your money. While some things offered are very good, many are not so good, and as I always say, Everything is a trade off. You can not go by " Any" manufacturers claims. OK Back on Point. This is a case of more is bad, less is good. Plastic by its very nature and in the case of automotive plastic, it is a plastic that is UV stable, and because its designed this way, there is no absorption. If a drop of product does not penetrate, as in the OEM seat skins, anything you put on top will not penetrate, and in many instances break down the fine layer of protection found in automotive plastic.( there are about 2500 different polymer formulas to make plastic with separate applications for each. The Cleaners used in many of these products have an acidic base ( as a cleaner ) this acidic base will indeed clean, but the trade off is that it erodes the fine automotive plastic skin that is designed into the process. Plain water and a Microfiber towel will not cause the plastic to erode, under any circumstances. Chemicals on plastic are not always the good thing. GM does not pull recommendation out of their butt. Products are thoroughly tested before final production design. GM and all 2nd and third tier suppliers use an environmental test chamber and quality certs are delivered monthly to oversight in the production process to insure, quality is within spec. Certs aka Certifications. BTW the dash is a very bad place to put chemicals because of the windshield and its effect on the sun's rays
Bill aka ET

I know a few things because I have seen a few things.

RPGR90s

I concur. I get mine at the local Harley dealer and it does a great job protecting plastic and interior panels on cars. I go through 4 cans a year, easy....

uz1290

Appreciate the response ET.

I must admit I've always been under the impression that protectants were a must, but it does not appear to be the case just based on the chemical characteristic of the plastic used in dashes.
My guess is that cracked dashes are just a result of design flaws and inevitable deterioration of the UV stability of the plastics used in some plastics.

Sounds like it pays off to park in the shade!

Cubman

303 Protectant a clean sheen that give you UV protection spf 40. A must here in Florida, all rubber, plastic and vinyl surfaces. It's not greasy and has a satin sheen which looks fine. 303 Great products.