How do you bring life into an old dash?

JabbaTheHut

I'm restoring a MK3 Fiesta.It has a plastic dash that has faded and has a look of a car that is 30 years old, as you'd expect. I have taken the dash out,and washed it. What can I do now to bring some life back into it? Itr's grey in colour.

Cyclepath

Take a heat gun to it (carefully). Usually when you heat up the surface of the plastic it surfaces the oil in the plastic and darkens it back to its original unfaded colour. Then you can apply some sort of silicon finish to it.

JabbaTheHut

Thanks for that. I saw that method alright, but I'm not sure if i'd be able to get a uniform coverage doing it. I was hoping there might be some spray or oil or something that I could use instead.

Ryath

Carpro Perl is very good. It's pricey but you can use on all plastic trim, leather and tyres.

http://www.detailingshed.com/plastic-trim/235-carpro-perl.html

clubberlang12

Careful of using heat on plastics.......you are drawing the natural oils up to the surface when doing this. Depending on how much/little natural oils are actually still present, you may end up damaging or deforming the dash.

How did you wash the dash first time? What products did you use? I'd recommend a citrus based APC (All Purpose Cleaner) or water based safe degreaser, both diluted down accordingly and clean the dash by using a microfibre cloth, and/or agitating the surface with a soft bristled nail brush. Once wiped down and let dry I would look at applying a dressing to see if that will bring a bit more luster back into it. My favourites to use would be Gtechniq C6 Matte Dash, TAC System SEAL, Carpro P.E.R.L, Gyeon Preserve. Halfords will stock some other brands like Autoglym, Meguiars, Auto Finesse, etc that might be easier for you to get your hands on.

Tommyboy40

Heat guns are a temporary solution and you risk ruining it. I use Gtechniq permanent rein restorer. It's the only tool for the job

JabbaTheHut

Thanks lads. I'll look at the products you listed. Sound like what I need.

MetzgerMeister

Whatever way you go about it, try not to have a shiny dash. This is the last thing you want as you'll see the reflection in the windscreen and it's distracting. This is why dashboards are usually black or matte.