What to use on the dash?

[carl418]

I'm not at all sure if this is the right forum but I have a question for the experts...

What should I use on the dash of my 2010 GT to keep it from drying out and splitting? I live in South Carolina where it gets pretty hot in the summer. I'm a little leery of putting the wrong thing on it as I'm afraid I might actually do more damage.

Or would it be better to just leave it alone?

With the car being only a year old, I'm not having any problems yet but I don't want to have to replace the dash in the future due to my ignorance and neglect.

Suggestions?

 

[1andonlywhitie]

If you are gonna put something on it, you have to do it often. I think any of the brand-name products will work fine, Armor-All is my personal choice. But regardless of brand, you have to do it every week or two to keep the product working, if you only do it once and then it sits in the sun it can actually make it crack and split faster than if you just left it alone...

So it all depends how often you will be motivated to do it...

And either way! Get a sun-shade for whenever it is sitting in the sun...cheap easy protection.

 

[Joser281]

Well I don't know what would help other than Tint the windows but My car is an 05 and the interior is still without cracks.

 

[1andonlywhitie]

Well I don't know what would help other than Tint the windows but My car is an 05 and the interior is still without cracks.

Yeah in all honesty I think the dash components would last for years without cracking, but it's all for peace of mind I guess...

Actually, with the OP, are the 2010 dashes plastic like the 05-09 or are they leather covered?

 

[ixtlan]

Get a cover is the best thing. It cuts that damn reflection in the windshield too.
But as far a treatments (Even with a cover) use Vinylex.
Great for all plastic and rubber.
Good Stuff there buddy.

 

[topbliss]

not true. Some dressing is better then none and its surely not gonna hurt if if you don't apply it every week! I have an every day driver in the sun every single day that I apply dressing to the dash once every 6 months and its perfect shape after 9 years.

If you are gonna put something on it, you have to do it often. I think any of the brand-name products will work fine, Armor-All is my personal choice. But regardless of brand, you have to do it every week or two to keep the product working, if you only do it once and then it sits in the sun it can actually make it crack and split faster than if you just left it alone...

So it all depends how often you will be motivated to do it...

And either way! Get a sun-shade for whenever it is sitting in the sun...cheap easy protection.

 

[topbliss]

plastic like every mustang since 1964. The only cars with real leather dashs are the ultra expensive cars.

Yeah in all honesty I think the dash components would last for years without cracking, but it's all for peace of mind I guess...

Actually, with the OP, are the 2010 dashes plastic like the 05-09 or are they leather covered?

 

[swat 79]

If its the deluxe it is definitely the plastic, not sure about the premium.

 

[DKS]

All these have plastic dashes, period. No matter what model you get.
You do not want to use a heavy dressing like the Black Magic, armorall, etc.
They make it look shiny, sure, but in the end they dry out the plastic, just like using the same stuff on your tires.

There is a difference in "protecting" the interior and "dressing" it. I personally do not "dress" my interior, I just protect it. Dressing it makes it look wet and causes dust to stick to it, IMO The only time I dress interiors are when they are very neglected and need it to look "new" again.

If you protect your interior and keep it well, you won't necessarily need to "dress" it.

Pinnacle Vinyl and Rubber protectant is good.

Maguires Ultimate Protectant is awesome and comes in handy wipes (it's what I use) Very handy and easy to use. Doesn't leave behind residue, either.

And, as mentioned above, Vinylex is awesome. It does it all in one.

 

[kdesigns]

I have a 1987 Mazda pick up, and my brother has a 1993 Mustang GT. Neither car has ever had anything "applied to protect the dash" and neither dash has even a hint of a crack. And, plastics have come a long way in the past 20 years or so. I've spent a lot of time at a Mustang Salvage yard, and most of the 1987-up dashes look fine.

Wash it, keep it clean, park it out of the sun when you get a chance. If you wanna make it all shiny and smelly, then spray some bro juice on it, but don't kid yourself with the whole "I'm protecting my dash" crap.

IMHO.

 

[US-1]

If you wanna make it all shiny and smelly, then spray some bro juice on it, but don't kid yourself with the whole "I'm protecting my dash" crap.

IMHO.

 

[DKS]

I have a 1987 Mazda pick up, and my brother has a 1993 Mustang GT. Neither car has ever had anything "applied to protect the dash" and neither dash has even a hint of a crack. And, plastics have come a long way in the past 20 years or so. I've spent a lot of time at a Mustang Salvage yard, and most of the 1987-up dashes look fine.

Wash it, keep it clean, part it out of the sun when you get a chance. If you wanna make it all shiny and smelly, then spray some bro juice on it, but don't kid yourself with the whole "I'm protecting my dash" crap.

IMHO.

I have to agree with you. It's not as important as it used to be.

OP, if you want to do it do it with something that's not going to dry it out in the long run, but it's not nearly as necessary as it used to be back in the day.

 

[carl418]

Thanks for all the replies. It sounds like I'm worrying about nothing..

To answer someone's question about the dash itself, it is different than the earlier models in that it's flexible. You can squeeze the dash and it gives. I don't think you can do that with the earlier dashes. But it is not leather. Some sort of closed cell foam, I guess.

 

[topbliss]

let me say this again. THERE ARE NO LEATHER DASHES IN MUSTANGS.. All are vinyl. I have the premium interior with gives me an actual stitched dash but it is still vinyl

 

[Redfire_WNL]

let me say this again. THERE ARE NO LEATHER DASHES IN MUSTANGS.. All are vinyl. I have the premium interior with gives me an actual stitched dash but it is still vinyl

Oh really i thought it was actual leather. Cheap basterds!!

 

[DKS]

let me say this again. THERE ARE NO LEATHER DASHES IN MUSTANGS.. All are vinyl. I have the premium interior with gives me an actual stitched dash but it is still vinyl

Same here

 

[Stangcrazygirl]

This is what I use on my dash, doors, ect..

 

[ozzy]

I use Adam's Leather Conditioner, it's really good stuff.

There's nothing quit like a rich, supple leather interior. These days, it's almost impossible to tell where the real leather ends and the faux leather begins. That's because the modern luxury car interior is a combination of real leather, leatherette (vinyl), textured plastics, and plastic coated wood venires. That means your leather conditioning product really needs to be a leather, vinyl, and plastic trim conditioning product. Adam's Leather Conditioner is formulated for exactly what the modern leather car interior needs.
Adam's Leather Conditioner properly conditions and hydrates all leather, vinyl and textured plastic interior surfaces, leaving them soft and supple. The final look has a "factory finish" appearance that's satin, never slippery or shiny. A hint of fresh leather aroma remains that is pleasing to the senses, but not overpowering. Premium UV blockers protect your leather upholstery and dashboard from the damaging effects of the sun.

Treat your car's interior with Adam's Leather Conditioner 3-4 times a season to keep it in premium condition for the life of your car.

 

[fdjizm]

I use armor-all cleaning wipes on the interior pieces, and armor-all leather wipes for the seats.

 

[RedFire07GT]

Meguiars Quik Interior Cleaner, spray & wipe. Doesn't give that greesy shine that I hate and smells great.

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