I've seen horrible dashboard cracks supposedly caused by son-of-a-gun and armor-all silicon based products. Is polymer the product of choice to actually PRESERVE the plastic?? if so, what brand?

 

I just use glass cleaner for my interior cleaning. Haven't ever done any true resto on it. Having dark tint will help the plastic's longevity too

 

I use a couple different Meguiar's products. I like the results.

 

I use Meguiars Quick Interior Detailer.

 

Me too.

 

Dark tint won't help as it blocks viable light rays, not the UV that dries out plastic. Clear tint can block 99% of UV rays.

I use either Lexol or 303 products on plastic and rubber.

 

I'm looking to pant some of the dash pieces in my 2004 F150 Heritage to match the green gauges in the inside, anybody have any advise on what kind of paint to use that wouldn't be extremely expensive an would look good an wouldn't flake off?

 

search some old posts, I believe the most important step is getting the pieces cleaned and prepped for the paint to stick. I've used Duplicolor Interior Vinyl and Plastic spray dye on door panels after wiping everything with paint prep solvent and it sticks well. only been a year so I have to see what the sun does to it.

 

So would i sand it, primer it, and then paint it?

 

lightly sanding is helpful but not necessary, no primer needed, apply a thin coat then, while it's still tacky, apply a medium coat.

 

This.
http://blogs.customclassictrucks.com...te-protectant/

 

I have used ArmorAll for 30 plus years with no issues and I tend to keep my vehicles longer than most. I also worked as an auto detailer for several years. I have never had a cracked dash. Must be lucky I guess.

 

back in the 70's when armor all 1st arrived its formula was very different....if you kept applying it- all was good, if you stopped for 6 months +....whatever it touched cracked 7 rotted....they were sued in a nationwide class action......in the department I worked in at the time, maintenance issued it out for every pices of apparatus in the department 930+ units IIRR)...a year later...every piece of upholstery & padded dash was destroyed....Armor did pay to have everything replaced. It disappeared from the market for about a year, then came back with a completely different formula.

I personally use a product called "Prime-Shine" for the padded dashes, etc.