I'm assuming good old-fashioned Armour-All will work nicely, but with that weird rubbery surface on parts of the dash, was wondering if anyone had found anything that works better?

NO NO NO NO don't use Armor All unless you want a cracked dash over time. I learned a long time ago what to use on all your interior surfaces from a corrosion control specialist - LEMON PLEDGE. I was told the main ingredient of this stuff is some ozone deflector/preservative that is perfect for plastic surfaces inside your car. I've been using it for years and people always ask me what I use to keep everything looking good. Give it try - I'll think you'll like it.

Armour All is the worst. Throw that crap in the trash can.

It drys plastic and rubber out over time.

Thanks for the tip. I have a dog and she will surely scratch the dash. She loves to attack windshield wipers. I was going to use armor all,
but now I'll pledge it.

If it was just straight vinyl, Armor-All works great. I've got a 67 Camaro I've used it on since High School (13 years ago) and the dash in that is immaculate. I've won a number of trophies.

So, not sure what cheapo dash boards you guys are using Armor-All on that crack.

My question is was really only because of the odd rubberized material that comprises some parts of the dash. I'll give the Pledge a shot.

Thanks for the tip.

:shock:
Don't do it! Is it just me or does Armour All seem to ATTRACT more dust? I have heard not to use it for the cracking dashboard reasons - but to me it always seems to feel really greasy and afterwards the car seems to get even dustier quicker!

I'm going to avoid it like the plague.

Armour All glass cleaner wipes are handy for the glass though... they come in those little "baby wipe" containers and do a good job on the windows.

Don't know what to use - if anything - on the plastic pannels. So far I've just gone to the spray it down yourself car wash and used the clear coat protect spray when I'm done and finish up with the spot free rinse.

The tire cleaner makes it look brand spankin'!

:P

artdude-cool avatar...looks like the monkey has a mohawk :o

FYI ONLY - spoke with the the Consumer Resource Center for SC Johnson the makers of Lemon Pledge and they said that it is fine for interior vinyl / dashboard use but, it is NOT to be used on exterior surfaces.

[quote:659978a124="Simon"]Armour All is the worst. Throw that crap in the trash can.

It drys plastic and rubber out over time.[/quote:659978a124]

Can you use pledge to clean the vinyl/plastic/ and the rubber inside the car?

And the kayaks are built out of the same stuff as half of my Element...

For the inside. I buy this junk in gallons: http://www.303products.com/main.php?infopage=home

For the panels, Back to Black: http://www.mothers.com/products/products.html

I use the following:

Interior Plastics: Vinylex (http://www.lexol.com/vinindex.html)

Exterior Plastics: Mothers Preserves Protectant (http://www.mothers.com/products/products.html)

8) Ed

Somebody else here suggested Aerospace 303 for the interior. I got some and will be trying it out shortly (when it quits raining).

I swore off ArmorAll when one of their products permanetly hazed my clear dash and Armorall sent me 10 bucks and said to buy rubbing compound and rub it out. (Did not work).
I like Griot's Garage Vinyl Dressing for the inside and outside panels. Gives it a clean satin sheen like it was new. Not greasy. Also on the outside it does a good job of holding up against the rain. It actually beads up like a wax on the hood.

I just ordered me some 303 protectant... I'll post how it works out....

My experience has been that the more you fuss, the more problems you get.

I'm sticking with plain old warm water and a handiwipe once a week for everything. Worked for my '87 GTI and all others since.

I bought one of the California dusters and just use that on the dash. It's got a light wax coat on it tht grabs everything and cleans it up, nicely. So far so good... :D

I do have a question, though. Does anyone know if it's safe to wax the plastic panels on the car?

[quote:f310a8e19a="bcsilva"]I bought one of the California dusters and just use that on the dash. It's got a light wax coat on it tht grabs everything and cleans it up, nicely. So far so good... :D

I do have a question, though. Does anyone know if it's safe to wax the plastic panels on the car?[/quote:f310a8e19a]

DO NOT WAX THE PLASTIC PANELS>> IT WILL TURN WHITE... you either want to use vinlyex or 303 protectant....

[quote:30e2935c34="MrCLoWnY"][quote:30e2935c34="bcsilva"]I bought one of the California dusters and just use that on the dash. It's got a light wax coat on it tht grabs everything and cleans it up, nicely. So far so good... :D

I do have a question, though. Does anyone know if it's safe to wax the plastic panels on the car?[/quote:30e2935c34]

DO NOT WAX THE PLASTIC PANELS>> IT WILL TURN WHITE... you either want to use vinlyex or 303 protectant....[/quote:30e2935c34]

Cool, I'll have to go pick some up. Thanks.

I have used Vinylex Protectant for years with great results.

Jim

Vinylex (http://www.lexol.com/vinindex.html) is great!

- 8) Ed

For the inside I use Black Magic Dash board wipes from Penzoil-Quakerstate company. It is a semi gloss shine so that Im not blinded by the sun hitting the dash as well it has an anti static guard built in. The stuff works great and does not leave an oily residue like armour all leaves. Out side Mothers all the way. Best car soaps know to man!

I must say though armour all is one of the products you will find in my garage, nothing out beats it on the tires!

[quote:90dc249f69="lon777"]what to use on all your interior surfaces from a corrosion control specialist - LEMON PLEDGE. Give it try - I'll think you'll like it.[/quote:90dc249f69]

Thanks Ion777! My wife tried the pledge thing this weekend with spectacular results! She brought our Element home and I opened up the car and the interior looked like new! I recommend the pledge wipes. Easier to use and the material does not fray or take a s**t on your car.
The only downer is that the stuff will eliminate your new car smell. Does anyone know where to pick up a can of new car smell? Now for the exterior. Has anyone tried that aerospace stuff? Any recommendations for the tires?:D :D

[quote:efa8167137="hppypaul"]My experience has been that the more you fuss, the more problems you get.

I'm sticking with plain old warm water and a handiwipe once a week for everything. Worked for my '87 GTI and all others since.[/quote:efa8167137]


yep! :D

I have to say I've had very good results with armourall for dashboards.

I've found the key is to apply it and the REALLY give it a good wipeoff so there's not really much left on the surface...so it's not greasy. I've used it on my last two cars, 96 passat and a 80 prelude. The prelude was parked outside for years, granted I used a sunshield on it but when they towed it away, the dashboard looked great. :)

I bought some 303 protectant about 2 weeks ago and used it this past weekend. It works great on the seats, the inside panels on the doors, and all of the plastic and rubber exterior areas as well (plastic panels, rubber moldings, and tires). Everything was brought to a new "showroom" finish once again. However, I noticed one downside to this product today after a big rain. The exterior held up fine, but the doors (on the interior side) that were opened today during the rain became streaked from the water droplets that landed on them and ran downward. After drying, they now are stained streaks that I'm sure will come off when I clean them again.

NewEman

I recommend Meguiars Gold Class Dash & Trim Foam Protectant. It leaves a fine sheen and smells good to boot. It's easy and clean to use on all plastic trim inside your 'E'. I am not sure about using it on the exterior though...there doesn't seem to be any markings against it.