How to protect dash

[b_hill_86]

I picked up a spare dash locally that’s in great shape. No cracks anywhere and the 70-77 radio opening is fully intact. I’ll eventually use it on my car to replace the one I have but in the meantime what would the suggestion be to use to keep the pad soft? I wiped it down with some ArmorAll which may or may not have been a mistake but either way it did not brighten up the pad like I thought it might. So I wonder if there’s something else I could use and whether I should attempt to wash off the ArmorAll

[nUcLeArEnVoY]

The dash in my '79 is immaculate, it almost makes me wonder if it's been replaced at some point, but when I went under it to fix the heater core, you could still see the factory brown base plastic. Maybe it was recovered at some point.

Either way, I use Aerospace 303 on it. Doesn't leave an obnoxious glossy film, and is water- based with UV protectants that equate to SPF 30 mixed into the formulation.

I also have a dash mat on it that I just pull off if I'm at a show or meet or something.

[N PRGRES]

Don't use amorall that stuff is junk.  I agree with using the 303.  I also have a dash mat I use unless I am at a cruise in

[Wallington]

As above, I've always used 303. Armor-all is heavy into silicone so makes things look shiny and wet but is greasy and doesn't soak in or protect, 303 does. Coat it with sprays, let it soak, add more rub in, a day or two later spray again if it has dry spots, a sign it has soaked up perhaps. Use on plastic frame too, go nuts. Then you'll also have a dash outline on the concrete when it rains as it waterproofs and repels where sprayed.

[b_hill_86]

Appreciate it. I’ll try the 303. My dash is really is good shape aside from one crack on it but this one I picked up was local and a fair price. When the time comes to swap them I may try to fix my old one or just sell as is at a discount.

[Warren Seale]

Everybody bashes ArmourAll vinyl protectant but I've used this stuff regularly since 79 on my dash.  It has no cracks and the car has 120000 miles living its life in hot and humid Florida.  It has been around for at least a half century so there must be something going on to keep it in the marketplace.  Now the only thing it won't do is prevent the dash from warping which these dashes have a tendency to do along the metal/vinyl edge.

[b_hill_86]

Fair enough. Thanks for sharing your experience.

I’ll go off on a small tangent and ask this. By the passenger side vent there’s a shallow indentation. I can live with it but is there any way to pull that out a little? I thought maybe some gentle heat but not sure if that would be advisable. Just curious as again, I can live with it if there’s nothing that can be done.

Hopefully you can zoom in on the pass side vent. I tried to screenshot a closeup and TAC won’t accept the file extension.

[b_hill_86]

Hmm, didn’t look like I could get to it from behind. I’ll have to take another look

[Wallington]

http://www.transamcountry.com/community/index.php?topic=84673.msg15096#msg15096

[b_hill_86]

I see what you mean. The area I’m referring to though is the lower left corner of the passenger side vent if you look closely.

[Wallington]

Aah thought you meant the raised edge at the dash top where moulded.
You may be able to peel the cover up from the base, spray some contact glue about, then reseal and smooth it down flat. Is it just a lifted patch that flattens again? Unusual.

[b_hill_86]

It’s this spot