If treating the dash would help, I would do it every week. tried for a while but that no longer helps. I am glad that some folks' fading is not as sevre as others. As for me, if I knew then what I know now, I would not have made the purchase. Sad to say, since the car is great otherwise.

 

don't forget to wipe it off
the way i do it
i use a microfiber glove to apply a generous amount and spread it evenly
let it sit overnight
and wipe off in the morning with an thick 80% cotton towel (with minimal pressure)
i found that 100% ones leave more lint, while microfiber "cleans" too much
the result = even, matte OEM finish
if you don't wipe it, it'll be darker, but will also remain slightly sticky and attract dust
leave alone the nasty glare you'll get
also take it easy on the speaker meshes and the dotter rubber part of the dash
they don't need as much cream as the "leather" part
a tip not to mess up the a-pillar covers and the windshield: stick a large sheet of thick paper (like an old poster) between the dash and everything else, this way you won't have to stop short of the sides with the application

hope this helps

 

Anyone get the name of the magic stuff?

Some people say to use the NXT protectectant - but the bottle says "Shiny" does it really make it shiny?

 

it is shiny ...
and when i tried wiping it off like i do with zaino to get the right matte fininsh, it turned my dash into a sick powdered ass
may be others don't wipe it or they have better luck
i don't like the gloss and for me NXT only made it worse
well ... nothing a few layers of zaino couldn't fix

 

I've used the Lexol leather conditioner they sell at the dealership. It works great. Dash looks new again. It does need to be reapplied every once in a while. I would also reccomend the Lexol on the seats. It is a thinner conditioner not so much a cream like other products and seems easier to apply.

Randy

 

I tried the NXT and I thought it was great! It does leave a *little* shine, but I would describe it as a natural shine, not the really shiny coat that Armorall leaves. Make sure you buy the right NXT stuff, too. The bottles are all identical, and the Autozone by my house had the exterior cleaner in with interior cleaner, so I almost ended up buying the quick detailer! The stuff you want is the Meguiar's NXT Tech Protectant Interior Protectant. Since the NXT line is synthetic, you only need a little bit to do a large area. I sprayed some (2 or 3 squirts) on a microfiber cloth and that was enough to do almost the entire dash. Then I used another microfiber cloth to dry it off. I am really happy with the job that the NXT did!

 

Sorry I've been slacking in posting what I got from Honda. Its called Pro Honda Vinly/Leather Protectant. Dealer said this was the exact stuff they put on my dash (which looks brand new again). it was about 6 bucks for 11oz of it.

 

that's what i thought

i did want to use it cause it stinks like a roach spray
but i guess if it works it's worth a try
but only when my zaino fades

 

The parchment is also a problem, but I think the dash is the same color no matter what interior color is chosen.

 

The dash is the same for all interiors. It is a dark grey / graphite color, not a deep black. I have treated my dash about once a month since new. About a month after delivery it developed a filmy ash look. I treated with 303 monthly and found Turtle Wax's Black Chrome works well. I think Turtle Wax now sells it formulated under another name, it is a black vinyl, rubber treatment. I have not treated my dash for over a month, and it looks better than new.

I think many people are caught between treating the dash to remove the haze, or afraid to use products on the dash. I think 303 works great, but I was not finding it curing evenly for my tastes. Afterwards, I tried the Black Chrome and I feel it looks better than it did upon delivery. I think Acura has too may plastic, rubber, vinyl mixes going on as they all have a slightly different color tone and texture. I noticed this when I had a loaner with Ebony interior...it seemed like 12 different shades of Ebony were going on....and that car had 42 miles on it.

But I found something that works for me, and applying monthly is routine maintenance for me. I am satified with the results.

 

I had the dash replaced on my July 2004 TL by the dealer last February after I complained of a bulge in the dash and a noticable depression in the surface over the airbag. The replacement dash is straighter but the color more uneven than the original.

 

I use the stuff in the middle all the time in areas like door jams, engine covers and the wells inside the trunk where water runs off. Works well on bicycles and motorcycles as well. Basically an area that you want cleaned and protected but are hard wax. Not sure I'd use it on the dash since 303 works so well for me. I never saw the vinyl product. I'd want to know if it is petro based before I shot it on the dash.

 

it probably is ...
since they smell the same and i've used both on my floor matts and engine covers with the same result ... good water repelling, low dust attraction
i think the only difference is the label

 

Just got back from getting an A service on my car. The third service in 18000 miles. The service advisor said that the dash fade is not a problem and the milky color is dust and finger oil. The "magic" fluid is the Honda cleaner/protectant. This was only after telling me on the phone there was no such problem as dash fade, and the reason you can see the air bag is because of the pressure of it against the dash. Oh well- I don't know how many people believe this BS, I don't!

 

that's right! BS!
i don't know about you guys, but i dust my dash twice a week and NEVER touch it with bare hands
thus it's not dust and "finger oil"!!!

 

My wife's 2004TL has around 27,000 miles on it, has the windows tinted at 30%, is garaged most of the time and is cleaned regularily with a damp cloth. No one would think of touching her dash so there are no fingerprints (I hang on to the roof strap when she drives ).

The dash looks horrible....splotchy, milkly, whatever. I have not contacted Nalley Acura of Marietta, GA so I will reserve judgement on the "BS" factor. I will, however, today give them a chance to address the problem. Oh, another thing, the steering wheel is also changing colors. I certainly don't want to put any slick petroleum based products on that!

Has anyone had satisfactory results when they approached the Acura service department on this problem....other than being told to buy their cleaning products?

 

My personal feeling is the dash must be treated, with something more than water alone. This milky film that covers the dash is likely a byproduct of this funky, rubbery material degassing. Most rubber / vinyl products exhibit some form of degassing, fade....especially when under a big glass magnifying glass. I think it is an accepted maintenance issue to this material, although I agree, I believe it should be more stable. But honestly, how many of you insist your tires are treated, mudflaps treated, spend 15 hours twice a month protecting the paint plus another 5 hours on the leather? Most dash materials wear well, but maybe thgis stuff needs more care.

Now I agree, and understand the paranoia on WHICH product to treat with. None of us want to degrade the dash by using a product that reacts with this material. I haven't tried Acura's offering as I found treating my dash has kept it better than it was when delivered. And I am on a once a month schedule at this point. I noticed the milky, blotchy haze forming with the 1st month from delivery. As each month passed, with each treatment (I have posted a few mentions of the products I have tried), the dash looked better, more evenly saturated, no scuffing and I am pleased with my results. It is not BLACK, but a graphite color.

Now I do believe Acura has a plethora of materials and color tones going on inside our TLs. Like the rubbery dash, the door handles are different material from the top of the door panels. They feel different, look different and react differently to protectorants. The black plastics on the dash vary in texture and color depth. Add to that the 2 tone of my Parch interior, and I feel it amplifies the matter (especially the way the 2 tone runs along the beloved glove box alignment ).

These various materials not only fade at different rates, they absorb and react to cleaning / protectant materials differently. The rubbery stuff drinks up protectant where the hard plastics do not, and may apprear darker / glossier / satin / etc, etc. High gloss protectants seem to better deepen and even the tones of these various materials, but most of us prefer not to use higher gloss products.

It was most apparent to me when I had a new loaner with the ebony interior. Although I loved the stealthy look of the ebony interior, it appeared to me to have 20 different shades of grey, graphite, charcoal, black, ebony, etc!

I think we need to keep sharing our trial and error with this apparently highly sensitive issue (it is what we look at the most in our TLs). Adding to the product mix, I was chatting with another member and mentioned another product which I have not tried, but might offer to a willing Beta Tester.

Black Magic makes various dash / interior cleaners. I see they have a protectant that specifies for black matte dashes in a 'semi-gloss' finish easy to dust. I believe I saw on AutoBarn in wipes. If anyone gives this a try, please post your results.

But whatever we use, I expect it will be an ongoing process, and likely to take a few treatments to reach the best reults.

 

Has anyone tried Meguiars #40 Vinyl and Rubber conditioner from thier Pro line? I use is a lot on difficult situations when I am detailing.

Just a note on 303 / Armoral and the likes .

Quote from Ketch at AutoInt who specializes in product formulation and OEM appearance problems.

The present ArmorAll only differs from many other PDMS dressings, (polydimethalsiloxane) by percentage of the resin mixed into the water that is it's carrier to the surface.
Be it Eagle One, Zanio, Mequiar's, Mother's, 303 etc, all the "white-water based" dressings are PDMS.
This resin DOES NOT DAMAGE vinyl or tires, to have that, happen one would have to use the "greasy kid stuff"/"getto shine" products, which contains petroluem distillates and dimethal silicone fluids.

303 has a higher resin content, the maximum that can be used, which is why it cost more.
Most of the mass marketed PDMS are usually around 18 to 20%, most professional dressings are between 22 and 27%.
Cost is an issue for professional detailers, and even the higher resin 303 does not last "that" much longer than a, say 24% content.
Just looks better for a couple of days.

The "UV" protectant adverstising is pure bunk, it is not possible to actually put "UV" blockers in these types of resins and if it could be done, the product would have to be marketed at about 3 to 4 times a higher price, as a UV component is very, very expensive.
The claim of "UV" protection comes from the resin barrier created and the additional shine, which reflects the damaging UV's.
The real advantage of using a PDMS is protection from the far more damaging ozone that is present. This protection is only there as long as the product is.


Unquote.

 

Good info. Appreciate that.

 

Great info Jesstzn. It confirmed my feelings that a good product (303 is what I use) + a sun shade will protect against the wear than doing nothing at all.

 

Same question...anybody have experience with a dealer solution? Also, any comments on the steering wheel fade?
Thanks

 

Sounds fair enough but...Were you saying the ONLY difference is PDMS content ?

While I haven't bought Armor All recently I can say that 303 only looks like Armor All (white water) to me. It has a completely different smell, applies differently and doesn't have a greasy residue. When I get Armor All my hands it is so greasy I can't wait to wash them Not so with 303. 303 is expensive but I am much more satisfied with it.

 

I have used Aerospace 303. It works but will fade. It is also pricey. $20.00 for aquart.

 

I did an analyse on 303 and I can confirm is Silicon base (PDMS), although it's not very concentrated that's why it doesn't feel greasy as armor all. Plus this product split very easily, take a sample put in a glass and let it stay and you will see the silicon part separate from water. By this way you could see the concentration is not that high.


Some products (clear one) uses some kinds of petroleum oil.

 

Interesting information and an informative website (Autoint.com). Can you cite where you found this quote? I'd like to read more. Looking at the website there's a good amount of information on exterior care but not so much (that I've found) on interior care.

 

The qoutes were posted over peroids of time in a VWVortec detailing forum along with other good valid information from him .. go there and do a search ..

 

I was not having too much truble with dash but it usead 303 Protectant and i looks much better Lets see how well it holds.

 

Took the Acura in today to Nalley, Marietta, GA. They wiped the dash down with the Acura approved product, Vinylex, said Acura was aware of the problem and was working on it. As for the steering wheel, they treated it too....hope it isn't slick! The label says very plainly, "Do not use on the steering wheel" so we will see........

 

My experience with 303 is good. I've been treating my interior with 303 once a quarter and here how it looks after little shy of two years.

And NO COMMENTS on dice

 

That looks great!


Better than the new TL loaner I drove. Just goes to prove what a little TLC and elbow grease will prove.

Thanks for sharing.

 

Geez, is this a scavenger hunt? I figured out the first clue. It's not VWVortec.com, it's VWVortex.com.

 

any pics after application? and where did u get this? I am very intrested.
Thanks

 

are there any pics of the dash fade problem?? I have lots of people talk about it but never seen it for myself. Thanks!

 

What I believe most are reporting as fade, is more a milky filmyness that develops on the dash material, perhaps making it look faded. That dash is not black to begin with, so I think this haze makes it appear to be fading. Think of tires. They are truly not black. And left untreated, they look to be faded. Properly treated (with whatever products or appearance you seek) they look deeper, richer and more even toned (more 'black').

I will try to get pics of my dash posted, but with Wilma approaching, I expect my TL will remain nested in the garage for the next day or two.

I did some research on Turtle Wax 'Black Chrome' which only shows up on UK web sites for purchase now. They have domestically created a new line of product call F21(?), which I have no experience with for this issue. I have however, mentioned above that Black Magic makes a dash treatment product that specifes 'black matte dash' and semi gloss, non greasy finish.

 

Sorry bout the typo but I was unable to correct it as there is no *edit* function.


Go there and do a search on Ketch ...

 

Well, so I took my car to Acura to talk to the DPSM about the dash fade. My appt was for 10. He was running late and said he would be in at 10:30. By 11 am he still was not there. The dealership's service manager was so embarrassed and couyld noit even get him on the phone. Have not gotten a call from the DPSM explaining the "blow-off" or apologizing.

Acura TLC my ass - more like Acura arrogance. I am writing a letter to ACS (worthless group but will get it out of my system).

I am so tired of the lack of customer service displayed by corporate Acura. My dealership is fine but once you kick it up, forget it. Next year, I will be trading or selling the TL.

 

The dice? What about the girlie air freshener? Dude you girlfriend has you whipped! BTW, what scent do you have?

 

How often do you use that sunshade in the photos? I'm sure that has to help too. I'm thinking of getting one because it can't hurt. I know it has to be a pain but what the hell better than a faded dash.

I'm assuming the sun is what's causing the dash to fade.

 

Yup that was put by my wife since she does not like the leather smell (Zaino's leather in a Bottle). Though it's empty and ran out of all it's juice and I just keep it there for her. Do not know what scent it was.

I use the heatshield Sunshde everytime I park in the Sun and yes it helps a lot.

 

Not really. My car is garaged at home, at work, and at the gym. if it ever is parked outside (even while washing) I use a sunshade. With all that, still have the fade.