Dashboard protection...tips?

#1 option:
When it starts to age, trade in the car on a new one. Seriously, it'll take many years to show age, just keep it clean.

 

Get a custom windshield shade in the mean time. They fit perfect.

SCH-I535 ? 2

 

I use these, cheap, works fine:

"

 

OP, try
303® Aerospace Protectant

I used 303 on my cars & tires, works great!

 

Does this make the dash shiny? I like the sorta matte finish of the dash as it comes from the factory and don't want to change that.

 

It does not shine, it renew/ re-juice back to life & protect them from UV.

 

I got a DashMat off of E-bay, it fit like it was a factory item. Be sure to get a dark color as the lighter ones reflect up onto the windshield.

 

I got one of the ltd. edition custom cut ones from autoanything.
DashMat Limited Edition Dashboard Cover - Best Price & Free Shipping on DashMat Ltd Edition Dash Covers
I got one for my prius and my venza at the same time.
Both were a perfect fit.
Got the prius one in black and it looks really nice.. just my 2 cents.

 

Your dash is already protected as the front windshield has a 100% UV cut rate, the highest of the 11 windows. No need to stink it up with 303 Aerospace (not to say it isn't a great product for elsewhere).

 

Wow, yeah, based on this I don't think I will do business with Juiced Hybrid.

 

An unfortunate case of "negligence" ?

 

I use a sun shield. It keeps the vehicle cooler on hot days. And even if the front window has a 100% UV block rate, I still feel better blocking out the sun.

I also have used 303 Aerospace protectant. It's a good product. It's going to clean your dash as well as protect it against UV damage. I don't use it year round, I treat my dash maybe twice yearly with it. It's expensive and to be honest it adds just a little gloss so I don't like the look as much. The rest of the year I clean using Meguiars Interior Detailer. It's a great product IMO leaves no residue, probably less protective.

I also carry in my glove compartment a small foldable duster. From time to time, I just get it out and dust off the dash area. It works great.

So keeping it clean, a sunshield and occasional treatments of 303 is the way I go. I think improvements in the UV blocking capabilities of the windshield, coupled with the durability of todays plastics and I think I'm OK.

It's not like the 70's and 80's where you had some dash's that would easily dry out and crack.

Personal opinion, so ignore with ease...but I hate those dash covers. Looks way too tacky to me. Like covering the couch in a plastic cover.

 

A sun shield also provides another major benefit which is keeping the heat out and making the car cooler.

Do you apply sunscreen indoors too?

Really, there's no UV hitting the dash so dash fading is really a thing of the past. All you really need is a California mini duster. No water or chemical is necessary to keep the dash clean.

 

Do you have a link to the small duster you use? Sounds useful, I'd like to get one.

 

Actually I said nothing about fading out. It's a plastic dash...so I'm going with the idea that a product designed to clean and protect plastic is a good idea.

And yes...again as I said....I use a dash duster...

 

As mentioned a brand name is The California Dash Duster...it'll work. I don't remember the name of the one I bought. I like it because it's small and the handle actually folds so I can easily fit it in the top glove compartment.

Another tip people apply is just keeping a dry Swiffer Sweeper sheet in the glove compartment and using that. I've done both.

Sorry I can't remember the name of the duster I bought, I bought it in the auto accessory department of my local department store, it's pretty generic. Wasn't very expensive.