Preventing dash cracks

[Panici]

I know this has been beaten to death, so I'll keep it short.

How do I keep my almost perfect dash in that condition?

I have a sunshade. I plan to tint the windows a little.

Will cracking the windows to let heat out help?

Is there any hydrating/conditioning product that has been proven to work?


Thanks!

[AndrewBird]

Do all of what you said, use a good dash protectant like 3M 303 AeroSpace Protectant or Meguiar's NXT Tech Protect or equivalent and pray. About all you can do.

Either that or buy a new dash that is made of "modern" materials at ~$800.

[Benjamin_Button]

Poorboys dressing!

[Sean S.]

Vinylex by Lexol ... once every 2 weeks or so.

[Panici]

Looks like 303 or Vinylex are what most people recommend.

I'm leaning towards Vinylex. Thoughts?

[jrobie79]

I've used vinylex for the past 3 years...works great, dash is still holding up...it might be a little shiny at first, a few hours after you apply it, it looks perfect

[15Michaeljoseph]

I've used vinylex for the past 3 years...works great, dash is still holding up...it might be a little shiny at first, a few hours after you apply it, it looks perfect

yeah that's true vinylex looks really greasy and shiny at first but give it a couple days and it's good. I guess 303 is sorta like that too but
maybe a little less so... I used it for the first time today. also if it's hot and your dash is in the sun with fresh vinylex it can cause a little bit of a film on the window... annoying, but just a little glass cleaner and good as new.


--Mike

[Panici]

I found a place online that's in Canada.

Unless you guys can convince me otherwise (to another product), I'm going to order a 128oz jug of Lexol Vinylex and a universal sprayer.


I figure I better buy in bulk, planning to have my E30 for a LONG time :)

[Spaceman]

Zymol is great stuff. Expensive but it works very well on the dash, console and even the exterior plastic like the side mirrors. Highly recommended.

[Liquidity]

I was going to say move to Canada. Guess you beat me to it.

[KIRIEIW]

Just ordered some 3M 303 AeroSpace Protectant on Amazon. I've been using Meguiar's but way to shiny for my taste, and heard better things about the AeroSpace

[tytypetersen]

I use olive oil on a rag.. And a sun shade. So far so good.

[Jand3rson]

You can do all of that. But in the end, you're only prolonging the inevitable. We swapped a like-new dash into my car several years ago from a '91 318is, and I always kept it treated, and it cracked last summer in 2 places near the parcel tray. I drilled tiny holes at the end of them to stop it, and they continued past it. It will happen to every dash eventually. Best thing you can do is keep it looking nice until then.

[15Michaeljoseph]

I use olive oil on a rag.. And a sun shade. So far so good.

doesn't it get nasty?


--Mike

[bmws50b30]

i have two tiny cracks on my dash when i got the car. i use a sunshade, 303 and a dash cover. after 8 yrs my dash still looks the same which is good.