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View Full Version : what works to preserve 240 dash??


sr204me
12-12-2004, 04:19 PM
Ive heard armor all destroys the 240sx dash. So what works well to help preserve it and protect it from the sun besides a sun visor.

Inland180
12-12-2004, 04:32 PM
Besides a sun visor I would say ARMOR ALL . I have original dash, no cracks or close to cracking anytime soon and Ive always had it armoralled. Works for some doesnt for others. :)

mr_240sx
12-12-2004, 08:59 PM
ive never used armor all in my life on my dash, all i do is take a damp cloth and just wipe off the dust, its been stored outside since 1989 except for this winter and the dash almost looks brand new!

mrmephistopheles
12-12-2004, 09:12 PM
Besides a sun visor I would say ARMOR ALL . I have original dash, no cracks or close to cracking anytime soon and Ive always had it armoralled. Works for some doesnt for others. :)

Armor All contains alcohol.
Alcohol dries stuff out.
Dried out dashes crack.

use Meguiar's vinyl care, or just a wet rag.

zero.counter
12-12-2004, 09:24 PM
Armor All contains alcohol.
Alcohol dries stuff out.
Dried out dashes crack.

use Meguiar's vinyl care, or just a wet rag.
Sorry Kevin, but armor all does not contain alcohol...
http://www.armorall.com/faq/pages/protectant.html#

http://www.instawares.com/Armor-All-Original-Protectant-in-Trigger-Spray-Bottle-28-oz.10228CLX.0.7.htm

"Original Protectant in Trigger Spray Bottle Protects vinyl, rubber and plastic from fading and cracking caused by UV, ozone, oxidation and extreme temperatures. Advanced water-based formula has no alcohol or solvents.28-oz. Bottle 6 Bottles per Case "

"Armor All® Auto Glass Cleaner contains propylene glycol ether, isopropanol and surfactants. Armor All® Multi-Purpose Cleaner contains surfactants, n-Propoxypropanol, and builders. Tuff Stuff® Multi-Purpose Foaming Cleaner contains surfactants, n-Propoxypropanol, builders, and isobutene. Armor All® Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner contains surfactants, n-Propoxypropanol, builders and isobutene."

There are some products which use alcohol, but I hope he is not cleaning the dash with the glass cleaner...:(
The protectant formulas do not, as I have yet to encounter a cracked dash because of armor all. I would attribute his actual issue to inconsistent treatments, etc.

kazuo
12-12-2004, 09:29 PM
Mr. ghhggkdhkjhewnemre,nhjkl;lgf is right.

ARMOR ALL = BAD

Use Meguiar's (sic). It will save your dash!!!one one one.

Also, get a windshield sun visor thingy to keep the sun from shining down on the dash. Simplest, cheapest way.

zero.counter
12-12-2004, 09:40 PM
I did find this one post concerning armor all.
http://realbig.com/detomaso/2000-05/531.html

But I do use it regularly, which is prolly why I have yet to see any problems.

Then read this article about dressings...
http://www.web-cars.com/detail/dressings.php
from the article...
" Vinyl can become "addicted" to dressings. The story goes like so: If you apply a dressing on a vinyl surface, you will have to apply it regularly to that vinyl surface or it will start to crack.
There is no real evidence that this is true, at least with modern day dressings. If anything, maintaining vinyl parts, including the use of dressings, would prevent cracking. Anybody who tells you their vinyl cracked because they used a dressing is probably trying to cover up for the fact that they did not maintain the vinyl properly."

sr204me
12-12-2004, 10:41 PM
I have the "Meguiar's Protectant" and under the title it says protects Vinyls, Plastics, Rubbers. Is this the stuff that you guys are talking about or is there a specific Protectant?

zero.counter
12-12-2004, 10:44 PM
I have the "Meguiar's Protectant" and under the title it says protects Vinyls, Plastics, Rubbers. Is this the stuff that you guys are talking about or is there a specific Protectant?
That's it... :boink:

-usmd-180sx
12-12-2004, 10:49 PM
dude... screw all that stuff... buy some cheap-O spray paint...

give the front windshield a couple of coats of black.. and v-wah-la! :eek2:

no more sun into the cockpit... :fart:

mr_240sx
12-12-2004, 10:51 PM
dude... screw all that stuff... buy some cheap-O spray paint...

give the front windshield a couple of coats of black.. and v-wah-la! :eek2:

no more sun into the cockpit... :fart:
i can see you have graduated high-school!!! :loco:

OverBoost
12-12-2004, 11:04 PM
you can spray armor all on a towel and wipe down the dash and let it sit overnight. the next day, spray some mild cleaner on a clean rag and run it over the dash, this will pick up any of the excess armor all and leave the vinyl on the dash nurished but not overly greasy and slippery.

ALTRNTV
12-12-2004, 11:15 PM
i can see you have graduated high-school!!! :loco:

I can see you can't sense sarcasm.

mr_240sx
12-12-2004, 11:18 PM
I can see you can't sense sarcasm.
you obviously never sensed mine did you?

Kid Zelda
12-13-2004, 12:06 AM
Soul Glow .........

SilviaNinja240
12-13-2004, 12:29 AM
according to some people i've talked to that do dash restoration, armor all destroys your car. That's just what i've heard.

The best stuff is this stuff we got at the docks, its the stuff we use for cleaning the boats. Just go to a yard and ask around for some cleaner.

Also, park more in the shade and avoiding harsh elements helps too :)

S14DB
12-13-2004, 01:37 AM
My dad loved Armor All. It fucked my mustang's dash up. I like 3M's protectant. My mom gave it to me after she didn't like the smell. I have loved it ever since. the smell lasts for only a day but it lasts a long time just have to wipe with a dust rag till it gets dull.

Armor All's base is a industrial solvent. It softens the vnyl to make it look new.

revat619
12-13-2004, 01:38 AM
I've been using the Meguiar's stuff for a while and it works great. No cracks at all.

TurDz
12-13-2004, 03:04 AM
Use 303 Aerospace. It's a favorite among detailers (including me) @ autopia.org. It leaves a very, very low gloss shine if applied correct (using a rag, not indirectly). I only use it about 3-4 times per year, my dash still mostly has the brand new look, which is a matte finish. I only apply protectant for UV protection.

I've never believed in using Armorall or even Meguiars...I doubt it will start cracking but I'm sure if you don't apply it regularly, it won't look as good over time. And I hate the greasy look.

projectRDM
12-13-2004, 05:16 AM
Soul Glow .........

Exactly. ArmorAll is the nastiest stuff you can put on your dash. It's slimy as hell and attracts lint/dust more than anything.

I've always just used a wet rag to wipe the dash thoroughly, the moisture is enough to soak in and soften the vinyl.

mr_240sx
12-13-2004, 09:11 AM
Exactly. ArmorAll is the nastiest stuff you can put on your dash. It's slimy as hell and attracts lint/dust more than anything.

I've always just used a wet rag to wipe the dash thoroughly, the moisture is enough to soak in and soften the vinyl.
thats exactly what ive been using since 1989 and my ride has been parked outside since 1989 and my dash looks brand new!

Bone
12-13-2004, 09:21 AM
I use some stuff called Black Magic. It is high gloss and actually stays moist I wipe it down with it every 2 weeks and then I can just take a dry rag and wipe it down in between and it glows. Been happy with it so far.

driftracer
12-13-2004, 10:29 AM
propylene glycol ether, isopropanol, and n-Propoxypropanol are all a type of alcohol. The alcohol we normally drink for pleasure? is not the only form of alcohol. My guess is that there are forms of alcohol in Armor All to do two things. One is to disinfect and allow for a layer of silicon to be wiped on and allow for a nice shiny, moisturizing look. The other alcohols prolly dries the vinyl up over time so you have to buy more of their product ;) Don't ask me which alcohols do what, but those three ingredients are alcohols.

s13silady
12-13-2004, 10:51 AM
i use Meguires LEATHER care on the vinyl... ive used it once in the past 2 months, and all ive ever had to wipe the lint and dust off the dashboard... but its stayed shiney and new looking since...and it smells good too.

Tweaker
12-13-2004, 12:13 PM
I bought a crack free dashboard off ebay last summer and installed it the following day. I armoraled it once installed because that’s all I had at the time and I wanted to shine it up. It was also hot that day when I applied the armoral, which is probably not a good thing. Anyways, I came home from work the next day during some extreme temperatures, and there were two long cracks. I am guessing that the armoral caused this somehow. The dash might have been indoors with air-conditioning before I bought it, and I went and put it under temperatures around the 90's. I was so depressed after spending money on this dash :bash: . The car is now a show car as I have spent thousands on it so far. I am redoing the interior soon, fiberglass the dash and paint it to match my exterior (350z orange), so the cracks won't matter no more. Don't think I am ricing out my car as that is what I am staying away from. Everything I do to my car is tasteful and not overdone. I will be posting pictures and a website covering everything I have done when complete.

Dream240
12-13-2004, 12:25 PM
Ive heard armor all destroys the 240sx dash. So what works well to help preserve it and protect it from the sun besides a sun visor.

Fuck armor all, its overrated... get Eagle One "tire wet" (or any other brand). Use that on your dash AND your tires. Will work wonders and smells good too!! Will not harm your dash and protects against the elements. Also will not cause discoloration to your dash or tires.

Salty_X
12-13-2004, 01:18 PM
Meguiars Dash & Trim Foam.

I tried the wet rag today to see how it does with lint and dust accumulation...

projectRDM
12-13-2004, 03:41 PM
i use Meguires LEATHER care on the vinyl... ive used it once in the past 2 months, and all ive ever had to wipe the lint and dust off the dashboard... but its stayed shiney and new looking since...and it smells good too.

With just a wet rag, you'll never have to wipe lint or dust off because it won't stick to a dry, product free dash. Plus, the dash is not supposed to be shiny, making it shiny is an indication of how the product you're using is just building up, and not actually soaking in and doing it's job. Vinyl by nature is dull and flat, there should never be a shine to it.

A good cleaner should be used every once in a while to remove excess dirt or fingerprint grit, but any product that shines/glosses/beautifies is just leaving a nasty, slimy film across the dash, eventually drying up and cracking the vinyl.

Jung918
12-13-2004, 05:26 PM
I use 303 on my 240 and also on my 350. http://www.303products.com/main.php?infopage=products

AlligatorBling
12-13-2004, 06:24 PM
rub some seafoam on that mofo, it works wonders for EVERYTHING

zero.counter
12-13-2004, 08:10 PM
OK, I have to agree that the armor all destroys cars, unless it is used religiously on the surface in question. After doing some serious searching, I found that many people were having these "mysterious" dash cracking incidents after using armor all. I found that it happened to people that did not use the product very often, and would leave the surface unprotected in abnormal temps. The problem is that armor all is not alcohol based, but moreso water based...drying out and leaving the sticky residue which attracts the dust and eventually dries out as well in high temps. If the surface stays untreated, since some of the product has seeped into the vinyl and treats it with the water portion of the ingredients, the top may eventually dull while the vinyl breaks apart due to the water breaking the material down (vinyl is a soluble material). Stay away from it, unless you quickly switch to another brand of product like the meguiars as previously suggested.

Anyways, the dash on my S14 now has a small crack which was not apparent prior to using the armor all. I applied it over 3 months ago, then placed a dashmat over it as added protection. It obviously did not work. The same worked for my S13. When I first bought it nov 03, the dash was immaculate, but dull and dirty. I used a shitload of armor all and never treated again since then. I used a car cover and never cracked the windows all summer long. Here in San Antonio, we had some days over 107F this summer. I started noticing that a small crack showed, then the next day it got worse. Again, the armor all process was not taken seriously and my lazy ass paid for it.

I went out today and purchased Meguairs NXT protectant. $6.99 at autozone for a 20 something oz. I re did both 240s, the wifes camry, and the accord as soon as possible.

Moral of the story, don't use armor all unless you plan on applying it every other day! :D

Dream240
12-14-2004, 09:29 AM
I started noticing that a small crack showed, then the next day it got worse. Again, the armor all process was not taken seriously and my lazy ass paid for it.

Go to Autozone and get a vinyl repair kit or 12.99. I had to get one to fix two cracks I put in my dash when pulling off my radar detector too hard and it hit the dash and...well....yeah...two nice cracks in the top dash.

One thing is for sure, the dash vinyl becomes very brittle over the years. You may not notice it but once you crack it you can see how hard and brittle it is.

And as for the "tire wet" stuff, it's supposed to shine for the clean showcar look, it's not a cleaner, it's a protectant/shiner.

What i do is clean my dash about once a month with a clean wet cloth, then apply the tire wet evenly with an applicator pad and that's it!! Yeah it attracts dust, but that's why I do it once a month. If you want during the month you can just grab your vaccum and the brush attachment and vaccum it off real quick and it's good as new, the vaccum won't take the shine off don't worry.