It seems that the top of the TL's dashboard gets dried out. That is, on the passenger side, the dashboard looks completely dull (the effect is magnified when wearing polarized sunglasses).

Does anyone have a solution for this yet? I couldn't find Armor All "low gloss," so I tried Black Magic cleaner. It does an okay job, but I'm hoping others have tried other things.

-josh

 

I use Lexol Vinylex in my TL with great results.

 

Does this leave a 'gloss' or is it identical to the original matte finish?

BJ

 

I use it too and it works well. I would say it's a semi-gloss. Not an armor all shine at all but only slightly more glossy then the regular matte look. Then again it could just be that it takes the dullness away and therefore looks slightly more shiny. It does give a nice even appearance to it across the dash though.

 

I think so .... use [303 aerospace protectant]... it doesnt leave a glossy look so its identical to the original finish!!!

 

use the armor all cleaner wipes (purple top)and it just takes the dirt off and leaves you with no shine stuff at all

 

I second 303 Aerospace Protectant. Clean with 6:1 woolite with water dry with dry towel. Apply 303 on towel /applicator/ MF and then apply to dash. Keeps like new and no gloss.

 

Thanks everyone.....would hate a shiny dash and I'm getting the 'dryer' effect in spots so action must be taken.

Where does one get 303?

BJ

 

[QUOTE=Where does one get 303?[/QUOTE]

I got mine from www.detailersparadise.com

 

303 Aerospace Protectant is the best product out there period!! It was developed to protect against UV ray's, and does not leave a "greasy" shiny finish. It will protect the plastic on the dash and leave a "nourished" not shiny matt finish that really looks good on the TL dash material. This stuff is incredible and is available at most auto parts stores and also online.

 

Yes the 303 Aerospace is a great product use it on your seats, inside around doors, steering, wheel & dash trim. It does not have that greasy look. I switched to it last year from Lexol on the seats & a Meguiars product for the dash & trim. The 303 is the best product I have used.

 

I'm a bit confused....

True, I could use a 'protectant' to keep the fading from re-appearing.....but......I've got some fading and need to bring it back up to match the other side of the dash.....so.....

Is 303 all I need to recondition and protect? Or do I need product x to recondition the faded spots and then put on the 303 to keep it from re-appearing?

TIA

BJ

 

Do you have the black dash?

 

I am glad and sad to hear others have the faded/worn looking passenger side dash. Thought it was just me. I have tried Vinylex and 303. I tip my hat to 303, but I do not think it returns it to its original look as we all seem to be affected by a faded - old looking dash. You guys have described it exactly.

The 303 can be bought at EMS - Eastern Mountain Sports (yes, I did not think to look there either!)

It would be nice if there was some sort of polish to give it back the rich black matte.
Anyone have suggestions? I used the 303 on my doors and I think it did a better job than the vinylex. It is very flat - not shiny at all - I was very pleased - almost like you did not even touch it - it is that flat!
It removed or restored places that the service dept said "all the cars have that" "sorry, can't get it any better" Friggin losers! 303 took care of it all. The vinylex is still very good and I will probably use that mostly on the side panels which cover the seatbelts and the floorboards - by the acura sign. Both are great.

BUT, neither have returned the dash to new condition. What are the VINs which are seeing this fade - early builds?

 

I've seen "303" restore ugly dash plastic...not in my TL, but in a "94 Honda DelSol I bought last year. The car had been in the sun with the top off, and the dash had quite a bit of fading...after I used the "303", the dash looked as good as you could expect for a 10 year old convertable. I swear by this stuff...it really works well. Try it!!

 

I'm kinda glad to hear that I'm not the only one who's having this problem. Mine started looking really bad about 3 months after I got the car. Especially where the passenger's air bag is. You can see the out line of it when it dries up. I been using Pledge on it, since I don't like that gloss that Arm-all leaves behind.

As for 303, do I need both the cleaner and the protectant? Or can I just get a protectant?

 

I just thought of something that might help but wouldn’t be easy. They make those colored dies for dashes. I have seen people change the color of there dash with it. If you had the black dash you could just go over it with the black die.

 

Orange Pledge. It's inexpensive, cleans, protects and smells great. It sounds strange, but this was recommended by a car afficiondo I know and have been using it ever since.

Greg

 

Guys!!!!....PLEASE don't use orange pledge on your dash....PLEASE!!!.....this stuff is NOT made for plastic....it might look great for a while, and certainly smells good...but this stuff is BAD...BAD...BAD for the plastic. You spent $35,000 for your car.....don't cheap out on something like pledge...it's made for WOOD!!!! If you don't have 303....just wait until you find it...or don't use anything until you get something made for plastic. It makes me cringe thinking about what is going to happen down the road after using wood polish on plastic...UGHHHHHHH!!!!!

 

Has anyone shown this to the dealer - the dash fade problem? Just curious to get their reaction. My only trip about it resulted in an attempted detailing - which did not help it any. Maybe it is time to make them change out the deck lid or something. I need to see another car and see if it is the same. SOmeone posted about the outline of the airbag coming out after a few months - bingo - same thing here. I have never seen this on a black dash - especially a new one or a well taken care one - protectants, window shades etc.

 

Click for 303 www.303products.com

 

Is the 303 the best product to use on leather surfaces also? Or just the vinyl?

 

I prefer using Lexol on the leather, as do a lot of the other people do in this forum.

 

I used Armorall on it, big mistake. So glossy, looked horrible. Glad its gone now.