Review: Sonax Dashboard Cleaner matte finish

[CEE DOG]

Review: Sonax Dashboard Cleaner matte finish


Introduction:
When the Sonax line was introduced to the Autogeek forum a little over a week ago Meghan generously offered 3 of the products to me to review. Thank you Meghan!! This is the first of the 3 products.

Product Description (from label):
Sonax Dashboard Cleaner matte finish is the perfect answer to clean and protect your vehicles interior: dashboards, instrument panels, & door linings. Seals both flat and textured surfaces, making them feel “satiny smooth” to the touch, never oily. Works electro-statically to repel dust and dirt. All that’s left behind is a fresh, clean scent.

Initial Product Observations:
1.- Manufacturer Claims:
1a.-Matte finish? True
1b.-Antistatic effect? True
1c.-Satiny Smooth? Not so much compared side by side to Ultima Interior Guard Plus
2.- Packaging: Quality White Plastic Pump Spray Bottle
3.- Label: Silver, White, Blue, and Red - 358 degree wrap)
4.- Directions: Clear and Simple.
5.- Consistency: Slightly thicker then water
6.- Color: Clear
7.- Scent: Extremely Fresh
8.- Size: 10.1 oz.
9.- Regular Price: $14.99
10.-Manufacturer: Sonax
11.-Made in: Germany

Ingredients posted on label of bottle:
1.-Contains NO: silicones or solvents

Additional products used for prep, during application, or removal:
1.- Microfiber towel

Method of Preparation, Application, and noted Observations:
I started testing the dashboard cleaner out a week ago on my green 1997 Saturn SL. I took a MF towel and the DC (Dashboard Cleaner) and laid a piece of tape down to create a 50/50 test area. One side I wiped down with plain water and then dried it off. On the other side I sprayed some DC onto an MF towel and applied it. Then I flipped the towel and buffed it off. Really buffing isn’t even the right terminology as it dries very easily. My first impression was that this is TRULY a matte finish product. I took over 30 pictures with different lighting and from different angles trying to catch the difference in the pictures for you guys. It is so minute that you will only see 2 pictures from that initial test when you get to the pictures area. The rest of the pictures are useless. There was almost no difference at all in the look and it couldn’t be caught on film. However after a week I took some more pictures and there is a very slight difference I assume due to the antistatic effect of the DC. It was still difficult to catch on film but I was able to get it from a certain angle.
This weekend I performed a couple more tests. I applied the DC to the dash of my wifes 1999 Blue Saturn SL and did a similar test to the one above.
I also applied the DC to my 2008 Red Sky. With Sky as the test subject I cleaned the interior with DP interior clean. Next I taped off an area on the dash and the passenger side door. On the left side of tape lines I applied Ultima Interior Guard Plus for comparison. On the right I applied the Sonax Dashboard Cleaner. In the pictures of this test you will see the tape being removed and the difference between Sonax DC, UIGP, and no dressing. Here I was able to get pictures that you can certainly see the difference. In person the difference is not quite as dramatic as you will see on the pictures.

Red Sky Dashboard

1.-Conditions




2.-Setting Up





3.-Before




4.-UIGP




5.-Sonax Dashboard Cleaner





6.-Can You See The Tape Line?




7.-33/33/33




8.-UIGP on Left / Nothing between lines / Sonax on Right




Red Sky Door

9.-Before




10.- After





11.- UIGP on Left / Nothing at Tape Line/ Sonax on Right




12.- UIGP on Left / Nothing at Tape Line/ Sonax on Right




13.- UIGP on Left / Nothing at Tape Line/ Sonax on Right






14.- UIGP on Left / Nothing at Tape Line/ Sonax on Right




15.-33/33/33




16.-33/33/33





17.- UIGP on Left / Nothing at Tape Line/ Sonax on Right





18.- UIGP on Left / Nothing at Tape Line/ Sonax on Right





Green SL Dashboard

19.- The Product




20.- 1 Week Ago (right side was cleaned with water after this picture was taken)





21.- 1 Week later





Blue SL Dashboard

22.-50/50 Sonax DC on Left / Water only on right




23.- Closeup Sonax





Pros:
1.- Easy to apply - I couldn’t make it streak if I tried (even in the sun)
2.- Dust resistant (antistatic)
3.- Absolutely no greasy feeling
4.- If you want a True Matte Finish this is it
5.-A little goes a long way thanks to the fine misting spray

Cons:
1.- No complaints

Final Observations and Summary:
1.- After using the Sonax DC on various cars and surfaces I now know that the effect is slightly different based on the age and type of material that you are applying it to.
2.- Both Sonax Dashboard Clean and Ultima IGP are absolutely top quality products. For me I prefer the UIGP. For fans of a true Matte finish Sonax is the one for you.
3.- The instructions dictate spraying onto a cloth and then applying but there is no streaking or issues even if you spray directly. Still spraying into the towel may be the best bet so you don't get any overspray on your glass or other interior materials.
4.- Stay tuned for my Ultima Interior Guard Plus Review sometime this week.

And the link: SONAX Dashboard Cleaner Matte Finish, matte dashboard cleaner, dash cleaner, interior cleaner

[rwright]

I love your reviews! My vote is for Ultima. Their products are becoming a favorite of mine real quick! I love how the Ultima deepens the color. However, for those clients that prefer an absolute matte finish (my wife) then it looks like Sonax gets the job. Thanks Corey!

[mchess1]

Thanks for another fantastic review Corey.

I do happen to be a fan of a true matte finish, so I guess this will have to go into the shopping basket.

[DARK HORSE]

As always Corey, most excellent review! Thanks for taking the time to do it for us!!

[AeroCleanse]

Would be interesting to compare it to Cockpit Premium

[CEE DOG]

Originally Posted by rwright

I love your reviews! My vote is for Ultima. Their products are becoming a favorite of mine real quick! I love how the Ultima deepens the color. However, for those clients that prefer an absolute matte finish (my wife) then it looks like Sonax gets the job. Thanks Corey!

I echo your sentiments on all the Ultima products I've tried. I feel the same way about the deepening of the color with the UIGP.

Originally Posted by mchess1

Thanks for another fantastic review Corey.

I do happen to be a fan of a true matte finish, so I guess this will have to go into the shopping basket.

Thank you Hope you like it.

Originally Posted by DARK HORSE

As always Corey, most excellent review! Thanks for taking the time to do it for us!!

Thank you Tad, it was my pleasure!

Originally Posted by AeroCleanse

Would be interesting to compare it to Cockpit Premium

I haven't tried the 1Z Cockpit Premium myself. I would love to do a comparison/review add on but don't plan on putting another order in for a bit.
Right off the top:

They are both made in Germany
1Z-CP is about 1/2 the price per oz. of Sonus DC. Bare in mind that may be misleading as it looks like the 1Z uses more product per use. Just a guess on my part.

[Dubbin1]

I like the UIGP much better. It seems to darken things up a bit.

[akimel]

Thank you for the review. I presently use 1Z Cockpit Premium and have been very happy with it, but I am curious about the Ultima Interior Guard and am looking forward to your review.

[A4 1.8tqm]

Excellent review! Even better job taking pics to show every aspect.

In picture 11, I prefer the look of Sonax. Would you say that is a good representation of the look from each product in person?

[Bunky]

Nice review. If I was looking for natural, I would say Sonax.

Of course, taking any surface and making it a tad darker usually looks better side by side.