Have an 08, with a dashboard that likes to show the airbag outline. I have posted threads about this before which led me to buy 303 which worked great. But now the 303 does not even take care of the problem, the outline just stays there. What the fkcu can we do to fix this defect?

 

After a good cleaning (Woolite and water), over-saturate the area with a good vinyl cleaner/restorer (303, Megs, etc). Let it "soak" in. I let it sit on the dash while I'm doing door trim, glove box, etc.

Then buff off the excess. Repeat as needed (I usually do mine 2 or 3 times).

What needs to happen is for the oils in the restorer to penetrate and expand the vinyl (at least that is my theory). That's what makes the outline seem to disappear.

You need to keep this up with some frequency because sunlight and other factors are constantly "drying out" the dash material.




:ymmv:

 

Honestly this is dreadful, I should not have to detail my beautiful interior weekly because of an airbag outline. Or due to the sun drying out the 303 product. Anyone know of someone taking this problem to a dealership?

 

Dean, your frustration is understandable. You can try taking it to the dealership or try what Bearcat has detailed for you.

You can always ask them-the worst they can do is say "no".

 

Thanks for the advice =)

Good luck OP!

 

Good luck with the dealership. They won't replace/repair cracked dashboards. I doubt they'll have much sympathy for an air bag outline. See what they will/won't do for you, just don't get your hopes up.

I don't know if I completely agree with your premise. To keep a car in "like new" condition requires continuous maintenance. Could Acura have done better with design or material selection? Yes, maybe; on that score you might be right. But the owner still has to make an on-going effort to keep it looking good.


Edit: Also parking out of the sun as much as possible may help. I'm pretty sure it's the UV exposure that degrades the vinyl.

 

Hhhmmm for some reason my dash looks pretty flawless and I rarely take care of it.

AND it's an early 04 model.

I occasionally use 303 (once every 2 months?) mainly to make it "nicer". Now I'm wondering if I should just continue doing this or use Bearcat94's suggestions =P

 

^let me know when it gets pass 100 degrees in Canada

 

Will do boss

 

I was wondering what that thing was!

Is this the right stuff?

 

here's a cheap fix for your problem

https://acurazine.com/forums/3g-tl-problems-fixes-114/dashboard-covers-material-suites-our-cars-best-827508/

 

Nah Aerospace protectant.

This is what my bottle looks like:

 

I honestly gave up on the airbag outline. I use 303 once every two months just to protect the dash.

 

I want you guys who gave up to try Meguiars Leather cleaner and conditioner spray.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/too...ven=Aggregates

Ive been using this on my car since the day I bought it and others who looked at my interior started using it. You will need to apply at least 2-3x intill the dashboard fully takes it in. It will get rid of your airbag lines. Do it once every 4 days intill you are satisfied then do it once every 3-4 weeks. Use a new or very clean wax application pad to apply, spray on only on the pad itself and apply to the dash and door panels ect.

Some interior shots or at least the ones I can find right now.

 

I understand maintaining trust me, I detail it at least three times a month. My car is always clean, I don't even let dust touch my dashboard ha! The 303 was working, but now it does not. I guess I will just use extra spray and let it sit, but I usually wipe the excess in a circular motion to dry it. Our dashes are not very user friendly, big mistake they made choosing the material they chose for the TL.

I'm Greek too! Question, you use your cleaning product above the cluster, where the dotted material is? I used 303 on it once and it took two months for the dusty residue to come off of it.

 

Try something meant for restoring the plasticizers in vinyl material. I think Lexol Vinylex will do: http://www.lexol.com/Product_vinylex.aspx#

I've read responses on this forum where people with 303 protectant still get cracked dashes.

 

Well I have an 08 so I am not worried about the cracked dash issue, suppos that is only concerning 04-06 models. My airbag outline keeps popping up into the dashboard, that is the issue.

 

this most likely doesn't help you but i rarely put any chemicals on my dash and it still looks brand new and does not show the airbag outline. I typically just use a barely damp rag to wipe off my dash when im cleaning the car. I live in a hot climate too while we have never seen 100 degree temps but its in the mid 90's pretty much most of the year.

on the occasional time i do put anything on my dash i use 303 about twice a year other then that its just the damp rag.

 

Good luck with that one. At least your dashboard isn't CRACKED like mine. I highly doubt the dealership will help you out, as it's merely cosmetic.

Sorry, I know it's frustrating. Just wait until she gets a few more years on her...

 

It's a good chance the two are related. You've been applying 303 which is related to cracked dashes. Problem is that the plasticizers in the vinyl evaporate, and some conditioners exacerbate the problem (303 may or may not...it surely doesnt fully prevent, that is known). Plasticizers are what gives vinyl flexibility.

i've stopped applying 303 so often..maybe once a month a night so it has time to absorb. Other than that the occasional damp cloth.

 

Well this weekend I detailed the car three times. Friday was the initial, the dash looked great and the outline was gone but then on Saturday in the sun light the dash had swirl marks all over the place so I did it again. The outline came right back. Cleaned it yet again a few hours later, the airbag outline is still there. :'(

 

^you cant clean an imprint.
no matter how hard you scrub.
no matter how clean you think it is.
no matter what product you use, the imprint or outline will still be there.
Because thats exactly what it is....an imprint or out line of the air bag breakaway point.

you did not spend $35k on this car.
this $35k car is not a $100k car.
Live with the outline.

 

as far as I know 303 is just UV protection. you need a moisturizer. Otherwise its sortof like trying to fix your dry skin with suntan lotion.

 

I am annoyed with my 05 Acura TL. I currently use 303 aerospace protectant as many have suggested but thats all it is a protectant spray. Ive used a cleaner to get rid of the previous Meguiars spray I used on the dash.

Well im noticing that my dash is not a true black like the door panels are after Ive applied 303AP, So my question is original owners was the dash a true dark black or has it always been a faded matte/grey finish?

I want my dash to be protected but I want it to look dark not shiny/greasy looking. Should I get it painted? or is there like some sort of spray that is safe to use with 303AP to make the dash look darker.

 

dash cover = win

 

The metal frame inside the dashboard assembly grows and shrinks considerably with temperature changes. This causes the void between the air-bag and the dash material covering to show and disappear again. It gets worse with age. Acura didn't change the material for later models, so we're all stuck with ugly dashboards in the 3G. Oh well.

BTW: Yes the dashboard is gray and not black. 303 is the only decent looking protectant I've seen. I do not like the greasy wet look like the second car pictured above.

 

hahaha I feel that dash cover feels tacky! but to ea. his/her own if they like it. I have one on my 91 acura integra looks nice since its the same as exterior color. But
I want to keep my TL simple, but not crappy looking.

 

fyi, I love poorboy's products. I use their natural look leather/vinyl cleaner on pretty much my whole interior fairly regularly.

 

Oh okay so it really is gray, Ive seen others that are black w/o the shiny stuff. But strange that Acura would place a gray/matte dash when the theme of the car is a contrast between interior combos. I may just consider another protectant spray that has the wet look finish I want since I hate the difference in shades of the dash compared to my black door plastic panels

 

Hey what is the best product to use for the leather seats on my tl-s??

 

^^^ leatherique

OP use the 303 as suggested by bearcat and call it a day

/thread

 

Well I wouldnt say the choice I use is the best, but works well for me.
I use the 3D Professionals liquid leather. Leaves my dry hardened seats all smooth, soft again and removes grime/dirt after I use a cleaner from 3D Professionals .

Link:
http://www.3dproducts.com/Liquid-Leather.html

 

FYI - dealer will not do anything, it is not a defect in their eyes

to everyone else, good info.. been lazy on some stuff but now I am armed with knowledge!

 

I'm suprised no one has suggested to plasti-dip the whole dash. The outline on mine is pretty clear, but I take comfort in that. I see there's a safety feature there, ready to protect an occupant in the event of an accident. My car is a DD, so I'd go crazy if I worried about cosmetics to this detail. I love my car and baby it, but ya gotta let some stuff go.

 

Well here is an update. I used MG quick interior detail and the outline is basically gone. The door panels have a nice black on them, our dashboards do not. But the piece near the windshield and DRL sensor, that trim of the dashboard has the nice black color and shines nice. Why didn't they use that for the whole dash is beyond my knowledge. Cheap bastards.

 

I know I've noticed that small panel in the way front of the dash is black compared to the whole dash. Mines grayish/faded/matte which I do not like since the black panels on the door are true black. so it throws me off since I want my car to look nice but the Dash is seen by passengers most of the time and they have brought it up on it looking faded.

 

WAT!!!!


that looks super sexy to me!

 

jk but it looks okay. Not for me personally, I guess it depends on the material of the dash cover.

But what I meant about my TL was I want my dash to be black not a faded gray so it keep the look the car the same all around the cabin. Hate the washed out dry look with the 303AP.

 

^^^ Looks better than a cracked dash !!!

 

True, I'm lucky that I havnt faced that issue with my TL like other unfortunate Aziners. I want to look into different products that will have a wet look(keep the dark black color) well still delivering excellent UV ray protection like 303AP. Is there such a thing.?