Interior Care: Smudges on Dash

[08M5GTGSP]

I noticed this somewhat on my '06 Touring, but even more on my new '08: if you touch the black dash in any way, or use normal paper towel to wipe/clean the dash, it leaves smudges and "lint" behind. Which, by the way, is next to impossible to remove. BTW-I'm talking about the upper black parts of the dash, not the center stack.

What can be done to remove these spots? I haven't had my car a month yet, and the dash looks awful! Help!

Glenn

 

[mrbwa1]

I noticed this somewhat on my '06 Touring, but even more on my new '08: if you touch the black dash in any way, or use normal paper towel to wipe/clean the dash, it leaves smudges and "lint" behind. Which, by the way, is next to impossible to remove. BTW-I'm talking about the upper black parts of the dash, not the center stack.

What can be done to remove these spots? I haven't had my car a month yet, and the dash looks awful! Help!

Glenn

LOTS of Armor All!!! I'm not sure exactly what the deal is with newer cars, but new plastic soaks up a lot of protectant. It took a couple applications to get things to go on smoothly and not have streaks or smudges.

 

[fam]

Dot do it in heat\hot sun or it soaks up wierd and leaves spots. Use a micro fiber cloth (or even a tire applicator sponge if you like the wet look). Spray on cloth not dash to avoid the spot where you sprayed being more shiny. Use different kinds of armorall like liquids until you get one shiny and greasy enough to do what you want. Armor all brand really soaks up into the 3's and 5's dashes and doesnt hold a shine as long as the rubbery dash fords etc.

 

[08M5GTGSP]

UGH.... Not what I was hoping to hear. So, my only hope is a greasy dash treatment?

Does anyone besides Armor All make a low-gloss product for dashes? I like the freshly-cleaned look, but not fond of the shiny look (makes the interior look like a used car dealer got hold of it!).

 

[deepfry]

I like the low-gloss or matt look on dash and trims as well. So far I have been using static wipes to clean the dash and trims and it's been working well for me - no lint left behind, much better than on my VW as it has the soft and textured rubber, which makes it very hard to clean. On tougher dirt and stains I use the Armorall multi purpose cleaner.

There was once a bodyshop that wiped clean the interior with a glossy protectant after they finished the job ... I know they had good intention but I almost fainted when I saw it. Took me more than an hour to find the right solution and completely remove the shiny gloss!!

 

[twentysixtwo]

One word. Microfiber

http://www.acehardware.com/product/index.jsp?productId=1273842

 

[fam]

Ohh i thought you were going for the shiny look. just use Microfiber like I mentioned above. Apply to cloth not the dash. It will look "clean".

 

[mrbwa1]

UGH.... Not what I was hoping to hear. So, my only hope is a greasy dash treatment?

Does anyone besides Armor All make a low-gloss product for dashes? I like the freshly-cleaned look, but not fond of the shiny look (makes the interior look like a used car dealer got hold of it!).

You should be able to find low gloss protectant ,perhaps talk to a detail shop that might have a good suggestion. Unless you are as die hard as I am, even normal Armor All doesn't make the 5 too shiny. You might look into Lexol Vinylex. They make good quality leather care stuff. Not sure how shiny it is though...

Another thing I have notices is that the 5 dash doesn't seem to shine up as much as other plastics (such as my '01 Toyota ECHO).

 

[jaxmazda5]

303 Aerospace protectant. best dash stuff you can buy. UV protect, very low gloss, makes interior look brand new.

Meguires Interior Detailer spray also pretty decent and nice smell

 

[ThrillRide]

Click link in my sig. you might find some info there.

303 and Optimum protectant plus are excellent interior dressings.

 

[Olestra]

One thing is for sure, do not use paper towel to clean the dash.
It's harsh and it leaves lint.

 

[08M5GTGSP]

I actually bought & used Armor All Natural Finish cleaner/protectant, which worked wonders! I bought microfiber towels to apply & wipe it off. It was a load off my mind!

 

[fam]

If youre a gamecock fan youve got to be happy with your color choice