Upper Dash Rubber Cleaning and Conditioning

[FredsStinger]

Hey everyone, what are your recommendations for conditioning the top rubber part of the dash.

I used mild soap but it appears scratched now?

Any recommendations for something not overly shiny?

Thanks!

 

[7Andrei7]

Following!
So far I only used a damp cloth.

 

[95oRANGEcRUSH]

Search Results | Meguiar's

www.meguiars.com

Only thing I’ve used on all of my vehicle’s interiors for the past 10+ years. Cheap, works and no complaints. Works on all interior surfaces and doesn’t leave a greasy, shiny mess behind.

 

[FredsStinger]

Following!
So far I only used a damp cloth.

Yeah, that just made it look dry and scratchy for me.

 

[RedCal]

I've been using chemical guys "inner clean" with good results - interior quick detailer with UV protection

 

[D.J.]

I use VLR Vinyl-Leather-Rubber Care

Works great, smells great too.

 

[SoCalSHO]

I use Adam's products or water with a a really soft, thick microfiber.

 

[Devin]

I'm a fan of 303. Used them on my SHO for years.

 

[stoopid]

I'm a fan of 303. Used them on my SHO for years.

Same here, my bottle from ~10 years ago is just starting to get low. Still seems to be performing fine, despite its age, which tells me this stuff is durable. Thankfully they still make it.

I usually get the dust off first, then a healthy even coat of 303. Any sort of protectant will probably do, but I like the matte shine of 303 versus the higher gloss of some of the other products out there. Usually when the luster starts to fade it's the 6 month mark, time to reapply.

Always use a microfiber when detailing (inside or out). Paper towels for glass, although now I use microfiber for glass too (special cloth, not the cheap blue ones).

 

[funesto]

I currently use Chemical Guys stuff... I believe its all good entry-level products but there is an incredible amount of overlap which creates some confusion. The "Inner Clean" quick detailer is good, has a nice scent. Overall, I'm happy with CG's products, but I do find that a lot of it is overpriced.

At the end of the day, you cant really go wrong with anything from CG, Adams or Maguires.

 

[SuicideSaints]

303!!!! I use this for everything. I just bought a used 2018 and used this stuff to recondition everything! I use it on my RV, SXS and vehicles.

 

[byebyeSTI]

this has been brought up before there is a thread about the dash scratching as well , it happened to me the first time i cleaned the car , used a uber soft thick microfiber with einzett interier cleaner , ive been using this product for 10 + years never an issue on my past 3 cars , now my dash is all scratched up , i thought the towel i was using had some grit on it or something but no its just kia's cheap ass dash . now i have a new car with a messed up dash .

 

[Devin]

this has been brought up before there is a thread about the dash scratching as well , it happened to me the first time i cleaned the car , used a uber soft thick microfiber with einzett interier cleaner , ive been using this product for 10 + years never an issue on my past 3 cars , now my dash is all scratched up , i thought the towel i was using had some grit on it or something but no its just kia's cheap ass dash . now i have a new car with a messed up dash .

You know, I've never been a fan of microfiber cloths (ie: polyester) on anything aside from screens. No idea if they can harm other finishes. I've never had an issue with cotton cloths. They can leave little pieces of themselves behind which in my opinion is the downside. However I'm not defending Kia's dash, although I haven't seen any problems yet.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I don't clean with microfiber, I use 100% cotton terrycloth for the cleaning. Microfiber was invented to wick away moisture effortlessly, so for drying only.

My dash got some scratches in the upper right corner. All I use on the interior is a dampened terrycloth to dust with. If a little extra rubbing is needed to get off an oily spot or similar, I will use isopropyl alcohol very sparingly, then finish up with the damp terrycloth.

Somehow I got those scratches. And Meguiar's PlastX hides them very well. (I know, it's dedicated for clear plastics, but it works for this application.)
Before: After:

 

[FredsStinger]

Glad to see I’m not the only one who’s dashboard is scratched for no good reason.

 

[DoctorStiches]

Whot! The dash ia not leather? I have only used leather cleaner conditioner and a feather duster to keep it from being covered in pollen

 

[stoopid]

Whot! The dash ia not leather? I have only used leather cleaner conditioner and a feather duster to keep it from being covered in pollen

Pleather or some leather looking stuff. The conditioner probably isn't hurting anything, but something like 303 offers UV protection (albeit not much) which most true leather conditioners don't. Leather can't really be UV protected without messing with the feel/surface, the reason it resists fading is just a factor of it being a pretty kick ass material to make things out of (durable/long lasting/resistant to BS).

 

[stoopid]

I don't clean with microfiber, I use 100% cotton terrycloth for the cleaning. Microfiber was invented to wick away moisture effortlessly, so for drying only.

My dash got some scratches in the upper right corner. All I use on the interior is a dampened terrycloth to dust with. If a little extra rubbing is needed to get off an oily spot or similar, I will use isopropyl alcohol very sparingly, then finish up with the damp terrycloth.

Somehow I got those scratches. And Meguiar's PlastX hides them very well. (I know, it's dedicated for clear plastics, but it works for this application.)
Before:View attachment 69708 After:View attachment 69709

I haven't given it much thought since I've not had any issues using (clean) microfiber for general detailing, but cotton would definitely be softer and safer on all surfaces.

BTW, those scuffs on your dash look very much like scuffs I've made in prior cars setting something up there, and especially if it slides off/slides around. I mean those lines don't get there on their own. The fact it's masked or removed using the Meguairs indicates that's the case. Could even be residual liquid of some type (maybe window cleaner) that dried and created a bit of a surface anomaly, attracting dust and making it look like a scuff. It's gone in the second photo, I'd assume an actual scratch would still be somewhat visible even with glossing it over/tricking the eye.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I haven't given it much thought since I've not had any issues using (clean) microfiber for general detailing, but cotton would definitely be softer and safer on all surfaces.

BTW, those scuffs on your dash look very much like scuffs I've made in prior cars setting something up there, and especially if it slides off/slides around. I mean those lines don't get there on their own.

They may very well have been there when I got the car. I noticed them fairly early (a few weeks in), and if my "fallible device" (human memory) serves, I noticed them the first time I went to dust the dash: so, not anything that I did. I've noticed a few new ones near the instrument hump, which I am pretty sure are caused by the Sun Shield rubbing as I put it in or take it out. I'll try the PlastX on them too at some near future time.

 

[stoopid]

They may very well have been there when I got the car. I noticed them fairly early (a few weeks in), and if my "fallible device" (human memory) serves, I noticed them the first time I went to dust the dash: so, not anything that I did. I've noticed a few new ones near the instrument hump, which I am pretty sure are caused by the Sun Shield rubbing as I put it in or take it out. I'll try the PlastX on them too at some near future time.

Ah yes, the sun shade can certainly rub a bit especially if installed/removed frequently.