Looking after an uncracked dashboard

[Acox99]

Ive recently purchased an uncracked dashboard for my car. Is there any way I can prevent the new one from the same fait that most dashes suffer. I know keeping them from the exposure of direct sunlight will help prolong, so a dash cover would go a long way. But are there any products that will help the keep the plastic supple and will putting heat material on the underside to help keep cool so to stop the expansion and contraction of it when the heater is on in the colder months. Or is it more down to luck than anything. The fact they are getting rarer and dearer means I want to keep it as good as I possibly can for long as I can.

[Stefan on probation]

You need to clean it, then use a vinyl/leather protectant to feed it as the UV rays dry out the plastic/leather and they shrink then crack, just check out the seat backs on convertibles.

Also if parked up for a long time cover the dash with a towel or get one of those sun reflector screens or do what I do put the car in a garage.

[pierce]

Can anyone recommend a product to restore the colour? I guess a bumper black equivalent, or heat gun technique?

I have a pale faded patch on mine, presumably from where a tax disc slid down and sat on the dash in the sun.

[biffer]

I thought it might be general temp-change that caused the outer layer of the dash to eventually fail,but it's always the areas caught by the sun that seem to get zapped so i guess it's UV light really.
As above i've taken to using one of those cardboard fold-out sun-screens whenever i can.

[Stefan on probation]

The dash is like your skin, if you are in the sun on holiday you use sun screen, if you don't "feed" the dash, rear leather setback look after the parcel shelf, seatbelt receptacles they will shrink, crack and discolour.

Try a light rub down with baby oil.

[Acox99]

Thank you for the advice.

I wonder what a dash may from Australia would be like.

http://sunprotec.com.au/product/dashmat ... eries-e30/

[jcm325]

I have a dash mat from Australia it's really good and well worth the money, also I really like how it looks and fits,saves messing around with a sunscreen etc as I leave it fitted all the time...
It would also improve a knackered dash as well imo....

[bmwsport]

Try some 303 aerospace protectant. I've just got some to put on my boat vinyl interior and canopy. I'm also going to use it on my E30 dashboard too to keep it nice.

[HartgeH27]

I have an e30 dashmat brand new for sale.

[ChrisHC]

Try a light rub down with baby oil.

Then if you have any left over, try putting it on the dash!