Preventing cracked dash!

[aevansgatech]

Does anyone have any tips for keeping an original, non-cracked dash from doing the inevitable??

[samakijoe]

I use a product called "303". Comes in a spray plastic bottle.
Get it at any good boat supply store. Put a few coats on. The let the last coat dry for a "shiny look"
Wipe before dry for "matte" look..

If you spray it on the dash board you will get some on the glass. Not good. I spray some into a small container and use a small brush (we call them "chip brushes" ) to apply. This stuff is great for any Vinyl or plastic.

NB: Do not use "Armor All®" Real crap. But hey, that's just my opinion..

PS: I have no financial interest in Blah, Blah, well you know the rest..

[RRoller123]

Is the 303 a permanent, hard finish? After it dries, does it still feel a little greasy like Armor All and Mother's, etc products? Or does it dry fully?

just a side note: This season, I switched to Mother's "Protectant" : "Long lasting protection, rubber, vinyl, plastic" (red hand spray bottle). and it is far superior to Armor All, imho. I use it on the tires, the vinyl roof, interior, everywhere. It is matte if you wipe it off, or semi gloss if you just spread it around and wipe it off gently. It is the best thing I have found for the roof and the rear window to keep them looking brand new and resilient.

[DieselSpider]

Don't apply Armor All and it should last for years. Most goop just ropes you into applying more goop afterwards and sucks the life out of the vinyl leaving it slimy and attracting more dirt.

That said I have been having better success with Rustoleum's Wipe New products as they are not oil or silicone goops.
http://www.wipenew.com/wipe-new-original/

[RRoller123]

The Mother's dries completely, leaves no residue like the Armor-All does.

[brackie1]

Mine was already cracked when I bought and the PO had bought a cap. before installing it I called the manufacturer and asked them about cleaning it. They said to never put anything on the dash as all products will decrease the natural oils in the vinyl. They to just wipe the dash with a damp rag. Of course we were talking about the cap, it stands to reason the same would apply to the original dash as well.