So, I read that armor all might be bad for your dash and hasten the dreaded cracking. Is there a product I can use to get that nice glossy finish on my 23-year-old dash that will also protect it?

I am sure there are some good products to protect your dash, but here is some food for thought.

My son's Honda dash was treated with somethig like Armorall as part of the detailing process before he bought it. The resulting glossy dash causes a glare on the inside of the windshield when the sun hits the dash.

This glare is so bad it is sometimes difficult to see out in the daytime.

If there is something that will leave it clean and supple, but not shiny, you will be better off!

Just my 2 cents...

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02 S500
92 500SL
92 400E (Sold)
87 300E (Sold)
83 300D Turbo (Sold)
75 300D (Sold)
74 240D (Sold after 20 years)

a vynil/leather conditioner. never use anything that feels/looks/makes things look greasy
including tire sprays/foams that look greasy and run.
it should have an instant wet look without requiring anything additional not on use discription. some tire gels are good, but require proper application with a sponge. I like products produced by "Stoner": Invisable glass (safe on tint, also great for cleaning surfaces((MBText & Leather), as well as their other products...


just my 2 cents...

Matt McIvor
Matthews Auto Detailing LLC

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Matthew McIvor

2016 E350 4Matic Black/Black
2007 GL450 4Matic with Off-Road Pkg Silver/Black
1995 E300 Diesel White/Gray
1994 S600 Euro Black/ Black Velour
1986 560SL Blue/Blue/Gray
1986 190E Blue/Blue 93k

I've used and recommend 303 Products for just about anything to do with cleaning/protecting the broad range of materials found in our cars. Their Aerospace Protectant is particularly effective and I use it on my dash for a LOW to moderate gloss appearance, and since it contains UV blockers that provide an spf 30 or 45, it's perfect for dashes; also tires, vinyl, etc. This link will take you to company's website for more detail than you'll need about this stuff. Also has a useful 'where to buy' link.

http://www.303products.com/

Bob

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Bob Jones
Bradenton, FL
'87 560SL-Sold
'99 SL500 For Now

How about some green and orange shag carpet for that retro 60's look? That would take care of the glare, but it might cause nausea for some . . .

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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

I use 3M wet type silicone spray to keep the dash from cracking, and then 303 Aerospace Protectant for UV protection. The silicone spray works ... my dad has owned a few MG's for many years and never had any dash cracks. If you use it on a cracked dash, it will stop new cracks from forming. You still need to drill the ends of existing cracks or they will travel over time.

__________________
Chad
2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE
1998 Acura 3.0 CL
OBK#44
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

SOLD
1985 300TD - Red Dragon
1986 300SDL - Coda
1991 - 300TE
1995 - E320
1985 300CD - Gladys

I think the 3M is the stuff I use, too. I used to use Armor All until I started reading all the negative stuff here.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

I used to use Silicone sealant before learning it actually "causes" rust. Now I use Butyl

__________________
Chad
2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE
1998 Acura 3.0 CL
OBK#44
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

SOLD
1985 300TD - Red Dragon
1986 300SDL - Coda
1991 - 300TE
1995 - E320
1985 300CD - Gladys

I'm not real good about reading the stuff on the can/bottle. It's a good thing I stumbled onto this forum where everybody else DOES read the label.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

I vote 303... Sunscreen for stuff...

__________________
92 300D 2.5L OM602 OBK #59

Who makes 303?

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

See the link in post #4

__________________
Chad
2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE
1998 Acura 3.0 CL
OBK#44
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

SOLD
1985 300TD - Red Dragon
1986 300SDL - Coda
1991 - 300TE
1995 - E320
1985 300CD - Gladys

Doh!

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

AJCBGRAY,
I have become really fussy about AmorAll, 303 and all other compounds.
Both car washes and back yard detailers spread this stuff all over. I have had them put it on fabric seat covers. Most recently, my CLK 320's clear floor mat covers were AmorAll'd and I didn't realize it until I tried to get in the car and my feet couldn't get any traction on the floor! They put it on the seats and then I get it on my pants. I have had them put it on suede seat covers and leather. I have had them put it on my steering wheel.
Now I tell them not to put it anywhere, not even the tires.

As an aside, if you want to have some fun, AmorAll your buddies bicycle tires. Not the side wall, the tread.

I am 70 years old and I live in Houston, Texas and leave cars and pickups parked out doors for 2 to 3 weeks at a time every month and I have never had a dash cover crack. I park at drilling rigs, offshore boat docks, airports and on the side of the highway and have been doing this for 45 or 30 years without one cracking. My Grand Cherokee is 5 years old and the dash is still good.

I know they crack because I see them all the time and wonder how it happens.

I clean my vinyl's with Woolite brand soap and my leathers with saddle soap. I carry it to the guy that details my cars and tip him to use it. Heavy stains such as the last time I puked (no joke intended, I was drunk) on my seats and carpet I use more of it and then I may 303 it.

Ol Rep

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'05 CLK 320 Coupe
'08 Jeep Grd. Cherokee w/3L MB diesel

Don't laugh ! But have you tryed WD 40; It contains fish\oil and works great on bumpers and such;