I purchased a dash mat from WellVisors. Got it in the mail today and laid it in my car to flatten against the curves of my dashboard. Because it was sent "rolled up", it needs to "relax" some before I install it more permanently. At first glance it is very nicely cut to the contours of the car with appropriate clear openings as required (Head's Up Display) and cutout "grill" patterns over the speaker locations. It will be difficult to take photos due to the black on black, but I will try... I will add a photo from the WellVisors web site. Fits 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Toyota Prius / Prius Prime Custom fit Reduce sun glare on windshield Made of Bamboo Charcoal fabrics De-odor function One year warranty
Looks good. What does it do though? Just cut down glare? Or does it enable you to dump stuff on top of your dash (and is that a good idea)?
Protects the dash surface from the sun mostly (I do live in the intensely hot southern California climate). Glare reduction is a beneficial side effect. Says that it has some deodorizing properties too. The only "stuff" I put on my dash is a towel.
This is why I pay the cash to have a quality, nearly clear (not noticeable to the driver or law enforcement) window film to the front windshield. It cuts down the UV rays, and - the thing that no-one talks about - can help reduce spalling if something big, or perhaps a bullet, hits the windshield. Would be nice to avoid getting glass particles/dust in my eyes should it happen. In some areas or states it is illegal to 'tint' the front windshield, but I'm not tinting it per se (one of the films I used last was named 'sky blue' I think - it worked well). Because of this, independent tinters will usually one do the windshield job for cash money, even if the rest fo the job was on the debit/credit card.
I know it's not relevant here in the rainy UK but, what happens to the dash if you don't protect it from the sun, does it peel or something ?
Its a must to buy a windshield window shade. Weathertech makes the best shade mine is going on 13 years old still good its insulated and custom fit to the window. Take 3 seconds to put in the window. I dont let my g2 sit in the sun for 1 minute unless that shade is in the window. because of the slant the prius windshield has a pretty big cross section and will turn your car quickly into a greenhouse. High cabin heat hammers the hybrid battery and will shorten its life. They sell that shade in the prius shop. First things I buy for a new car is that shade and also wheel skins. Best leather steering wheel cover ever. On all my cars. Been on my G2 for 13 years too still looks good. Its awesome. Both are not cheap but both very high quality.
We don't know, precisely. We do know that the plastic dashboards made as recently as the 1980s would split and crack from the heat and radiation exposure in sunny locations. Personally I suspect that better plastics have mostly already solved this and that a fabric pad is overkill, but I no longer live in Southern California so I've got less exposure risk. On the other hand, I'd expect the pad to help a little with cabin acoustics no matter what's going on with the sun.
It might crack or peel or just damage, not necessarily immediately, but definitely over time. Also helps with window glare from the dash. But just use a matte interior cleaner. I never get why people want to put a dressing to make it to shine like mad. I have some customers that wanted shiny/glossy interior dashes (im a hobbyist detailer) I guess shiny = new. But for me, if it didn't come shiny, I don't want it shiny.
I would doubt that 'most' do. In fact, it's illegal in many US states to 'tint' the front windshield. I'm using a light enough film that I'm not tinting as opposed to blocking UV rays. The highway toll transponder still works through it. The places I've used to apply film tot he front all wanted cash to do it, even if the rest of the vehicle was paid for via credit card.
Yes, I know in Illinois it's illegal to tint the front window unless you have a visual impairment. Thanks for the info though!
That doesn't mean it isn't done. Front window film is applied in 'illegal to do' states. And if one 'tints' the front window with a clear film, 99.99% of police aren't aware enough to even know they were seeing it. Just go for a sky blue, or clear, color, and make sure the person doing it doesn't allow any edges to be seen. The closest anyone will look at a vehicle's windshield is if you live in a state that still does required yearly safety inspections (NY, PA ... I really hope there are others, but FL sure as shit doesn't do them) for things like working brakes, windshields with no cracks, etc. I will never not do it on a new vehicle again. But this is why we all pay cash to have it done.
Adding another layer of plastic to the laminated glass of the windshield is overkill. Laminated glass filters out virtually ALL ultraviolet light: only letting visible and infrared light through. Basically, a dash cover reduces visible light glare and somewhat protects the plastic of the dash from being baked by the infrared heat of the sunlight. Good Old Bob
