dash/door panel fade

[TP143]

Hi all,

My car has black interior and I have noticed lately that both the dash and door panels are fading in certain spots. Is there any product that would restore the original black color?

I can post pics if requested.

Thanks!

[RhetoricMixes]

Pictures would definitely help in this situation. When you say they've faded that probably just need to be cleaned and dressed. In that case i would pick up some interior protectant and cleaner or a product that does both at the same time Autogeek's Rubber & Vinyl Care products protect your vehicle's dashboard, trim, seats & tires... from the sun and elements. tire dressing, vinyl (http://www.autogeek.net/rubbervinyl.html)

[New Image]

My dash was faded (dull) pretty bad when i bought it. The outline of the airbag was actually visible. I used 303 on it weekly and now the dash looks good and the airbag outline is no longer present.

Im sure it just need cleaned and dressed.

[Divine Details]

I would recommend cleaning then either 303 aerospace or CG VRP. Work the dressing in to the dash with ur cloth for a long lasting deep shine. Hope it works for u!


Chad@Divine Details

[dpk20x]

I got the same thing going on with my 2002 Grand Cherokee. I doubt the previous owners ever dressed or sealed the interior. I've tried cleaning the door panels and sealing with UIGP but this really has had no effect on the actual color of the panels.

In a future order I plan on buying some 303, but for now I was wondering if I could use UTTG although it says for exterior use only. Has anyone ever tried this? The panels are black plastic or vinyl so I would think it would work well but like I said not sure if UTTG is safe for interior use.

[TP143]

Ok, so I am attempting to post pics for the first time so I hope this works. I also attached in case it does not. There should be one for the door panel fade. I have read great reviews on the 303 product so I will give that a go. Since the grey is in the cracks would you recommend I just wipe it on or is it ok to scrub with a toothbrush or something similar?

I also wanted to post a pic of one of my headlights. It shows a film buildup of some sort on the top half of the light that I am concerned about. Will a headlight restore scrub remove this? I have read the headlight restore is more for yellowing of the headlight where this issue is some sort of film. The strange thing is that this is only happening to one of the headlights, the other looks brand new.

Thanks everyone!http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/47510/ppuser/42555http://www.autogeekonline.net/gallery/showphoto.php/photo/47511/ppuser/42555

[dpk20x]

I got the same thing going on with my 2002 Grand Cherokee. I doubt the previous owners ever dressed or sealed the interior. I've tried cleaning the door panels and sealing with UIGP but this really has had no effect on the actual color of the panels.

In a future order I plan on buying some 303, but for now I was wondering if I could use UTTG although it says for exterior use only. Has anyone ever tried this? The panels are black plastic or vinyl so I would think it would work well but like I said not sure if UTTG is safe for interior use.

Bump

Anyone know if UTTG+ would work on my door panels?

[dpk20x]

Ps sorry for the hijack OP hope you don't mind

[ShineTimeDetail]

What's the second pic of?

[dpk20x]

Think it's his headlight

[ScubaCougr]

Advice above is good. Clean well with a moderately strong cleaner to get all the dirt, body oils etc. off. Several layers of dressing/protectant will be needed.

Another good product that really soaks in is Poorboys World Trim Restorer. Check the sample page for a small bottle. Great darkening ability, average durability.

[TP143]

Hi guys,

I wanted to revisit this thread since I will be making a AG purchase soon and thought I would pickup whatever product is recommended for this job. Going back to the pic of the faded door panel on the first page, which products would you recommend for restoring the black color?

The poorboys recommended above looks like an option. I have also seen Solution Finish black plastic/vinyl restorer. This one looks to be more aggressive. Any otherrecommendations?

Also, to make sure I have the process correct, would I just apply whichever darkening/restorer product first, then apply a protection product such as 303 or Wolfgang vinyl/rubber protectant?

Thanks all!

[mhphoto]

As far as the headlight goes, what you're seeing is the factory clear coat flaking off. It's reached the end of its life after having absorbed as much UV as it can. Pretty soon the polycarbonate lens will start yellowing as UV starts degrading it. You'll need to restore them.

Of the few headlight restoration kits I've tried (Mother's, 3M, Meguiar's) I like the 3M kit the most (here are some headlights I've restored with a mashup of products, most of which come from the 3M kit: two Hondas (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/51549-two-headlight-restorations.html), an Elantra (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/52161-headlight-restoration.html), a Santa Fe (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/52279-some-more-restored-headlights-you.html)).

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/b5a2c6bfa0376d697919c56d39d65288.gif

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/38f660af5083b2de0d5d5a0eb3f07a3c.gif

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/48e18f91d429b05c788e28982e8976bf.gif

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/e01da017d2a2d2363e13206722ac834c.gif

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/8262b72d76089ffdd9cea4356f49e36d.gif

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b375/randy25rhoads/38a9624fcccb9309fb29755822d1e815.gif

But after you restore it you'll need to put a real coating on it to replace the clear you stripped off. If you want cheap, try the Spar Urethane (http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/show-n-shine/19021-headlight-restoration-new-uv-sealant-idea.html) method. If you want something designed for cars, try Opti-Coat 2.0 (http://www.autogeek.net/optimum-opti-coat.html).

For more great info on headlights, lookup Ray6's posts on the matter. They're very enlightening… (see what I did there? :laughing: )