Dash covers: Can they do more damage than not having one?

[ClubManic]

So I got a cover for my dash for Christmas and I do want to protect it from cracking but the cover attaches via velcro which means I need to stick some little velcro pads to the dash. This seems counter-intuitive to me. In order to protect my dash I need to stick something to it that may or may not come off nicely should I ever want to remove it. Given how thin the pads are I am thinking they won't come off easily or nicely.

My dad has such a cover in his car but it is not attached like this and it is a pain, sliding around all the time. Don't want that, so the velcro pads are a must if it goes on at all.

Does anyone have any experience with this sort of thing? Am I worried about nothing? Are there other options?

[cashie]

I used to always use dashmats (now I can't stand the look of them), I have never had any issue removing the velcro or the double sided tape glue after removal.

[bush_basha]

I had one on my VE when I bought it just recently, attached via velcrow, I hate them, there ugly. I pulled it off and binned it, velcro was easy to remove. Was a hot day which might have helped with the glue tho.

[VXSS346]

I just use a windscreen shade when parked. :idea:

Driving time is generally much shorter than parking time so its not an issue for me.

[ClubManic]

Yeah, I'm not much of a fan either, but even less of a fan of cracked dashes.

Is there some sort of cleaning solution to keep them in good order?

[whitels1ss]

I don't like the look of them but they do help.
I don't like putting stuff like armorall on because I don't like an oiley look and it gives off a milky looking film on the windscreen as well.
The velcro comes off easy.
I have one on my runabout hack which I have fitted by loosely slipping cable ties through the demister vents.

[calais190]

Yeah, I'm not much of a fan either, but even less of a fan of cracked dashes.

Is there some sort of cleaning solution to keep them in good order?

Yes, 303 Aerospace Is a UV protective sealant for your interior/exterior plastics and is not shiny or greasy in appearance what so ever. You can pick it up at autobarn/supercheap for less than $20. I'm the type who cannot stand a shiny dash, makes it dangerous on a sunny day in my opinion.

You can coat leather in it as well which is a bonus. It can even be used to add a satin finish to tyres, though i've never tried that...

[cnnonyx]

Cracked dashes .....

To be honest, the only cracked dash I have in memory is my mums Datsun 120Y which had (from memory ...) a vinyl type dash that cracked heaps in the sun.

Looking at my VE dash, I am very, very skeptical at thinking it would crack .....

Come to think of it, the dashes in all of my previous cars were exposed to the elements, and with a dust wipe, looked like new till the day I sold them....

I could be wrong, but is there even a need for a dash mat in modern vehicles ....?

[VL Executive]

I could be wrong, but is there even a need for a dash mat in modern vehicles ....?

I have a couple of VL's that are getting near 25 years old now and the dashes in them arnt cracked. One has been covered, and the other has not. Probably a bit of fade more than anything but no cracks.

So I think thats correct nowdays, most of the cars up to 25 years old should not have a problem. Mainly the 60's 70's stuff that has cracked dash problem. Just keep the 303 on it if your worried.

Although I can recall seeing a VN with a cracking dash

[QldKev]

I have dash mats on all my cars. I do think it looks nicer without one, and with modern dashes I don't think there is the issue of cracking anymore. I just cant stand any glare of the dash when I'm driving.

QldKev

[bonners]

Personally I wouldnt use one on the VE but thats only from a look point of view and personal choice. I dont find that the dash glares that much while driving and I wear polarised sunnies so that helps alot as well.

However, what I have started using, and more because of the new trim, is a sun visor for when the car is parked in the sun (which isnt often). Dont care how it looks (although it is a HSV one....lol) but I do think it certainly helps keep the car cool and the sun off the dash.

As to the OP's orignal concerns, I used to use them in my cars and like has been mentioned, I have had no problems with removing glue or double sided tape and never had issues with them moving around.

[whitels1ss]

Although I can recall seeing a VN with a cracking dash
Yeah I also have seen quite a few VR & VS's with passenger air bag covers buckled in the heat of the sun.

[Wazza]

Yeah I also have seen quite a few VR & VS's with passenger air bag covers buckled in the heat of the sun.

Yeah the VR/S is the latest car I can recall seeing with any dash damage - and even then, I don't think a dash cover would do anything to have prevented this, as they don't cover up the airbag (which is the only piece of the VR/S dash that was affected).

I highly doubt that a current commodore dash would crack from the sun, it may fade but if you keep up with the cleaning/protecting using 303 or similar you should be able to limit this, and it shouldn't affect it for a decade or 2 :)

[whitels1ss]

Crash pads are certainly better made now than they used to be, they have learned enough by now to keep them safe from splitting in the sun.
But, having said that, I have seen plenty of other heat related damage to LED and LCD displays on dashboards, I have seen a few odometers/trip computers on VY & VZ Commodores which can often play up when left in the sun on a hot day.
Also, when an entire dash board heats up in the sun it takes longer to get the air conditioner working.
As I said before, I don't like the look of dash mats but I can understand a few good reasons why anyone might want to have one.

[5.7wld]

Hey mate you could use a zip ties around the vent near your windscreen that holds it and you don't have sticky stuff on your dash

[Ausmartin1]

I just use a windscreen shade when parked. :idea:

Driving time is generally much shorter than parking time so its not an issue for me.

+1 Agree, Very Practicle
When parked all day in the sun at work it really helps and steering wheel is cooler. over 10 years experience with sun shades - bit fiddly daily but worth it!
I had a hassle finding tall shades though - had to get some OS but they are not as solid as the old ones.(all the local auto shops have silly sizes and they wonder why we spend on-line LOL!)

No longer use dash mats as I found the heat generated under the dash mat bad along with velcro sliding issue is a waste of time.

Cheers, Martin

[Drewie]

+1 for the 303, we have just sold our 1980 VC SL Commodore, we had it for something like 18 years, I gave it an occassional wipe with the 303 and the dash was as good as new when we sold it. Same for the dash in my VX SS it is like brand new along with the leather steering wheel it is not oily like amorall.

[1BEAST2NV]

I dont have a dash mat, BUT sometimes wish i did,

the glare of the sun on the dash can be a pain in the ass when ya driving, especially when ya can see the dash on the window when ya looking forward, is rather annoyin.

[SS317]

I've never seen the point in useing dash mats, you put it on to save the dash cracking and looking crap but the mat looks crap anyway.

[BLACK 346]

I dont have a dash mat, BUT sometimes wish i did,

the glare of the sun on the dash can be a pain in the ass when ya driving, especially when ya can see the dash on the window when ya looking forward, is rather annoyin.

This is the exact reason I put mine back on. Took it off for a few days last summer and looking at the reflection of the dash in the windscreen was very annoying. Only seems to be problem with the commodore dash though, wifes car doesn't have a mat and no reflection with that.