Upper Dash

[FNCrazy]

Seems like every older car I see has cracks in the dash (may be slightly exaggerated to improve point). In addition, unfortunately it's a wide expanse of chintzy plastic. Does anyone use products to protect it? Or better yet, a cover for it that upscales the interior a little?

I've always hated dash covers, but I did see some suede ones that could possibly work I suppose.

Am I the only one obsessing about this? Anyone have ideas?

I make up 112% of what I say.

[PandaSPUR]

303 Aerospace Protectant is supposed to work well for protecting plastics: https://www.amazon.com/303-30350-Aer.../dp/B0000BYMNQ

I use that in my BRZ, although it only has 7k miles on it and is parked indoors 80% of the time, so I cant say for sure if the 303 has saved my dash or not. I've heard plenty of good things about it though.

[ryoma]

it would also be good practice to use a sun shade. I use a Covercraft sun shade and it is extremely good quality, although slightly expensive at around $60. well worth the cost though, especially in the area I live as has been 110F+ lately.

[Gunman]

I use aerospace 303, had a clear uv and ir blocking film applied to the windshield, and use a sunshade. Might be overkill, but it keeps interior heat down.

[FNCrazy]

Anyone else use some sort of high end dash mat?

I make up 112% of what I say.

[Summerwolf]

I did a 78% tint on the front windshield that was a ceramic tint. Supposed to block 98% of harmful rays and keeps the interior cool. Much better than a dashmat.

[FNCrazy]

Originally Posted by Summerwolf

I did a 78% tint on the front windshield that was a ceramic tint. Supposed to block 98% of harmful rays and keeps the interior cool. Much better than a dashmat.

Oh, I had no idea that was legal. Sounds clean and perfect, combined with the protectants. I'll check my state's laws. Thanks for the heads up!

All we know is.... He's called The Stig

[Irace86]

Originally Posted by FNCrazy

Oh, I had no idea that was legal. Sounds clean and perfect, combined with the protectants. I'll check my state's laws. Thanks for the heads up!

All we know is.... He's called The Stig

Illegal here in Cali. I believe the front windshield is already 99% uv protected. The sides are less (i think 86% uv blocking) but the glass is tinted green so more heat resistant than the front. In Cali the max the front sides can be tinted to is 70% with the material applied cannot be below 88% on its own.

I havent seen a dash cover for our cars. I use this for the windshield:

[canyons]

Originally Posted by PandaSPUR

303 Aerospace Protectant is supposed to work well for protecting plastics: https://www.amazon.com/303-30350-Aer.../dp/B0000BYMNQ

I use that in my BRZ, although it only has 7k miles on it and is parked indoors 80% of the time, so I cant say for sure if the 303 has saved my dash or not. I've heard plenty of good things about it though.

+1 on the 303 Aerospace protectant...works very well.

[RichardsFRS]

The reason older cars have cracks, because back in the day it was cool to have an ultra shiny interior. People used that Armorall shine on it and thats what happened after some time. Shit cracks dashes. I use plain old armorall non shine and I keep a shade up in the summer

[toast]

I can vouch that the OEM sunshade is a very nice item and a perfect fit. No pictures of it, but it makes a nice seal with the window and stays in place with the visors flipped up to the windshield.

[FNCrazy]

I've never used a sunshade. Always thought they were too big and bulky. Where would you store it in the frs? Lol

All we know is.... He's called The Stig

[gramicci101]

Originally Posted by FNCrazy

Oh, I had no idea that was legal. Sounds clean and perfect, combined with the protectants. I'll check my state's laws. Thanks for the heads up!

All we know is.... He's called The Stig

LLumar has two relatively clear tints. Air 80 is very lightly tinted, as in, you can't really tell. UVShield 85 is not tinted at all. Both are 99+% UV blockage and have random other useful traits as well. Google LLumar auto specifications pdf to see how each of their films compare.

[FX86]

the heat will probably get to the dashboard anyway and cause it to lift up at the top of the center air vents even if you use a sunshade but it might protect it from getting damaged by the sun