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Whats with the Dash !?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by Astrotoy7, Jan 5, 2006.

  1. Astrotoy7

    Astrotoy7 New Member

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    I am a proud owner of a 2004. I like to keep it clean as possible, but am noting that dusting/cleaning the dash is a bit problematic...the plastic it is made of is very coarse, giving it a sandpaper type effect on most cloths I usually used to clean and dust...ie. bits fray off and it ends up looking worse than when I started :(

    I'd like to hear what others here use to dust/clean the dash and interior, in particular what material you use, if any.

    thanks in advance :)
     
  2. jacaufie

    jacaufie New Member

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    Yes, and *then* many of those bits of cleaning cloth migrate to the plastic on the Odometer, warning messages display!

    I'm a newby owner, but I've started carrying an eyeglasses cloth in the center console to deal with that. I also use a shopvac with a soft brush attachment to 'dust' the dash area. Not perfect, but better than a cloth.

    BTW, the salesman said that previous Prius models had a smoother material up there but it also scratched very easily. So nothing is perfect, I guess. :(

    Jim
     
  3. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    I wear driving gloves and don't eat in the car, thus no grease. For dust, I keep a "Swiffer" disposable duster in the back seat and use it whenever. My GF thinks I'm nuts but the interior still looks nearly new.
     
  4. Tempus

    Tempus Senior Member

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    Microfiber Cleaning Cloths

    Just wash and re-use.

    Seems to me like using disposable wipes in a green car kind of defeats the vibe.
     
  5. efusco

    efusco Moderator Emeritus
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    I second the "Swifter" recommendation. Works great, picks up the dust, leaves no residual. I've kept one in my glove box since I got the car and will dust the dash at long stop lights to keep things neat and clean.
     
  6. Frank Hudon

    Frank Hudon Senior Member

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    I second Tempus and third Evan have one of each Swiffer for the dash and the microfiber cloth for the MFD
     
  7. shimma

    shimma New Member

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    Lower down you'll see my thread regarding the dealer damage to my dash, caused when they serviced the radio while wearing talcum powder treated latex gloves.

    After two treatments Fremont Toyota never actually removed the powder, just spread it around. I haven't yet attempted some posters' suggested remedies, but rather ordered TWO dashmats, one of which will probably satisfy my need to hide the whole mess satisfactorily enough.

    Word of caution: The "Signature Series" suede dashmat I ordered online from Go.Dashmat.com was incorrectly cut, with weird darts and surfaces. I hate it, won't ever use it, but no one there will answer my calls or emails requesting a Return Authorization.

    Their 10 day return threshold has long passed but they have not heard the last of me. Beware this company's terrible customer service. :angry: Shimma
     
  8. jeromep

    jeromep Member

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    The Swiffer duster is a great solution for the dash. If you are just dusting there should be no need to use any liquid chemicals and lenty cloths.
     
  9. robw95

    robw95 Junior Member

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    Great recommendation for the Swiffer. I went out at lunch today and got one and it works like a charm.
     
  10. OverTork

    OverTork Junior Member

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    I've been using the microfiber cloths with Aerospace 303 Protectant. It picks up the dust and helps revent UV damage under that big windshield.
     
  11. tumbleweed

    tumbleweed Senior Member

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    What do you guys use to clean the MFD? I have been using distilled water on a clean cotton cloth.
     
  12. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Eh, they're small, each one lasts a month, and then I use it to dust my computer. Washing the cloths might possibly create more pollution :_>
     
  13. richard schumacher

    richard schumacher shortbus driver

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    Favorite glass cleaner/weak ammonia solution sprayed on a paper towel (don't spray the MFD, the mist goes everywhere). Some paper towels are lint free, some ain't.
     
  14. coloradospringsprius

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    A little piece of silk cloth I got with my last pair of eyeglasses. Works great.
     
  15. Frank Hudon

    Frank Hudon Senior Member

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    microfiber cloth, don't put any thing on it, rub gently and make sure the car is powered off to avoid resetting the consumption readout.
     
  16. slortz

    slortz New Member

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    I also use an eyeglass cleaning cloth however if the MFD is really greasy I'll also use a little bit of the eyeglass cleaner solution too. This solution is not for straight glass eyeglasses but for plastic ones or glass ones that have an AR (Anti-Reflective) coating. I believe this solution is more delicate than regular glass cleaners. Works great on the MFD and is easy to stash in the glove box.
    Just pick up a tiny bottle when you're at Costco from the eyeglass place they have in the store.
     
  17. seasidetraveler

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    Greatest solution is:

    A DASHMAT- I found many problems with trying to keep mine clean, and would hate to have that enormous plastic dash crack or fade... I ordered mine from Kragen Auto over here in the States, and it fits "ok"- not a perfect fit- but better than trying to clean it all the time..
     
  18. Arklier

    Arklier New Member

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    Try a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. That should do the trick.
     
  19. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

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    I agree with OverTork about microfiber clothes and <a href=\'http://www.303products.com/main.php?infopage=protectant\' target=\'_blank\'>303 Protectant.</a> The 303 Protectant is anti-static to keep the dash from attracting dust.

    In between using the 303 Protectant, I keep a clean, dry microfiber cloth in the center console for touch-up swipes. You can wash them and reuse them many times, but don't use a fabric softener. You can use the dry microfiber on the MFD and clear plastic window over the speedometer and indicators, too (don't press hard).

    Change the cloth often. I'm amazed at how much finger grease gets on the screen and the dust that's removed from the dash. It's caught in the cloth, so unless you use a clean cloth, you're just mooshing the gorp around.

    I think the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, even if it's available to you, Astrotoy, is very abrasive. I know it really sands smooth plastic.
     
  20. Astrotoy7

    Astrotoy7 New Member

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    thanks for the recommendations :) I was already using a microfibre cloth I got from the optometrist for the MFD. The swiffer sounds like a great idea for dust :)

    Though when I first got it the 2004(a few months ago) there seemed to be a messy spot on the dash. I cleaned it gently with some protectorant stuff and a microfibre cloth. Its not easy on that rough surface though, but I got there eventually... looks lovely now :D