soft dashboards

H

hpjay

New member
Hello all, first time post. Need help:



I have a Blue Lexus IS300 about 4 months old and was driving down the highway when a large piece of cardboard landed on the hood (no chance to miss it without killing anyone) and I had some very fine scratches. I had a friend refer me to this board (he's never posted) and said I should try some 3M Fine Cut, but I was scared it'd be too harsh so I bought SMR for dark cars. Well he recommended applying this with a foam pad (eagle one I belive, with the yellow handle-thing) and removing with one of his 3M detailing Microtexture? cloths and this is what the result was (scratches are gone, but): (Hope I post the picture right) We went front to back along the hood until it was real thin, then removed with the 3M cloth. I was wondering what I did wrong and what I should do to alleviate this. My friend has some PPCL and I've got a couple of the 3M products. I also wanted to know how to classify these marks.



Thanks,

Nick
 
They look funny like you had un even pressure when appling the SMR. Do you have other picture angles of the hood?



But I suggest you read the Swirl Removing link on the Autopia website it has plenty of helpful hints and check back to this post I bet others will chime in with more.
 
The PPCL is technically the next step. Its hard to tell from the picture though, it almost looks like rotary buffer marks. How did you use the SMR? Back and forth or circular pattern??



H
 
I just used the foam pad with my hand and I only went from front to back but it does seem that I may have made some arched motions accidentally. They are only easy to see in bright sunlight or late at night if a bright fluorescent light shines on it (apt. carwash port). Did I make swirls of my own or is there another name for these type of markings?



Nick
 
Did you wash after the SMR or put any coating on? I had swirly marks (haze) that could only be seen in certain light just from using an MF Towel and some QD. They came off by washing the car. If they are real swirls in the paint, you will have to address them with possibly a PC or even a rotary buffer if they are really deep scratches.



H
 
Yes, I did wash before and after, at least that particular section. I'm worried I may have to get a PC like you said. Can this be caused from pressing too hard while applying the SMR? I didn't think I was pressing too hard but the definition of light to medium pressure means different things to different people.



Nick
 
Ron, I ascertain that this vehicle has the "new" clearcoat that does not "work" with the 3M system. But I thought you said this clear is harder than the previous ones. If this clear is harder, why does it mar the finest stuff we got? Maybe I interpretted this wrong from that other thread. Thanks Ron, Steve.
 
Anybody have a solution to dressing a dash on a rubberized type dashboard like a newer caddy. Everything I try leaves it blotchy looking! :banghead:
 
What have you tried?

In order to clean it I would use a very dilluted APC style cleaner, such as Meguiar's APC 10:1 or Optimum Power Clean at 8-10:1.

Spray the cleaner on the towel and work in that wipe dry. The key to getting an even look on the dash it to get clean of anything that prevent it from setting up properly.

After the surface is clean pick a dressing that suits the look you are going for. I really like 1Z Tefenpfleger as it leaves a clean natural look. On the trick with the application is to use a foam (instead of microfiber) applicator and make sure that it is well primed. If the out edges are dry then can soak up the product on the outer edges of your swipes and create a blotchy apperance.

Some materials just don't take well to dressings of any type however. :(
 
Those dash pads are not meant to be dressed. Alot of manufactures are moving in that direction

I personally never dress the upper portion of any dash. When the Sun hits the shine you can loose vision and in this litigious society something like that could come back to bight you in the backside
 
For most dashes I like to use 303 Protectant. It has a low-gloss, satin, factory-looking finish. It's not shiny at all, so you don't get sun-glare. You might want to do a small test patch and see if it works for you. (if not, it will wash off with soap and water)
 
Flash Gordon said:
Those dash pads are not meant to be dressed. Alot of manufactures are moving in that direction

I personally never dress the upper portion of any dash. When the Sun hits the shine you can loose vision and in this litigious society something like that could come back to bight you in the backside
Click to expand...

I agreed with Flash, a lot of manufactures are moving in that direction for a non-glare dash, which means no dressings to be put on them.
 
Recently tried 1Z einszett Cockpit Premium Interior Plastic Cleaner - it is wonderful stuff. On first use I thought "what the...is this stuff doing anything?" then I realized the dash looked just like when I picked up the car new - no gloss, no shine, just "natural" - that's when I knew the "other stuff" wasn't the right stuff for a dash.

http://www.properautocare.com/eicopr.html

Regards,
GEWB
 
First thing, make sure it's really cool to the touch, any dash that is hot will blotch with any cleaner.

I use the Blackfire interior protectant on both of my Volvos and they have that same dash with the soft rubbery feel and my R has a leather cover right over the cluster that I treat like the rest of the leather. But, for 99% of the dash, I use the blackfire, it leaves it feeling dry and a satin finish with no blotching.

Good luck!!
 
I'm using the new Meguiars Ultimate Protectant, leaves a nice finish, not glossy. It's on a BMW X5 and the dash is soft, looks better than any other dressing I've tried.
 
I'm with gewb and love the 1Z Cockpit Premium but I haven't encountered these "newer" dashes you guys are referring to. Maybe just a good low dilution APC clean is all it needs.
 
Indy YZF said:
I'm using the new Meguiars Ultimate Protectant, leaves a nice finish, not glossy. It's on a BMW X5 and the dash is soft, looks better than any other dressing I've tried.
Click to expand...

Bunky said:
Under appreciated. If they renamed it 1z's Quick Interior Detailer it would get more respect.
Click to expand...

:iagree:

Got some of this in my last order from PAC and was impressed with the results on my F-250 .
Seems over the years people on forums knock Meg's as a inferior line but no matter what some thought in the past , they are putting out some top of the line products lately in my opinion.
 
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