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Dashboard protection...tips?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by qdllc, Sep 5, 2013.

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  1. qdllc

    qdllc Senior Member

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    Normally, I'd get a dash cover. Ordered one from JuicedHybrid, but it didn't fit properly (off just enough that it'd never fit quite right...thanks to that center display).

    I believe in having SOMETHING to protect the dashboard from constant sun exposure, but what options do I have other than a dash cover?
     
    #1 qdllc, Sep 5, 2013
  2. rdgrimes

    rdgrimes Senior Member

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    #1 option:
    When it starts to age, trade in the car on a new one. Seriously, it'll take many years to show age, just keep it clean.
     
    #2 rdgrimes, Sep 5, 2013
  3. jgilliam1955

    jgilliam1955 Sometime your just gotta cry! 2013 Prius 4.

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    Get a custom windshield shade in the mean time. They fit perfect.

    SCH-I535 ? 2
     
    #3 jgilliam1955, Sep 5, 2013
  4. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    I use these, cheap, works fine:

    "
     
    #4 mediahound, Sep 5, 2013
  5. NoMoreNow

    NoMoreNow Member

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    OP, try
    303® Aerospace Protectant

    I used 303 on my cars & tires, works great!



     
    #5 NoMoreNow, Sep 5, 2013
  6. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    Does this make the dash shiny? I like the sorta matte finish of the dash as it comes from the factory and don't want to change that.
     
    #6 mediahound, Sep 5, 2013
  7. NoMoreNow

    NoMoreNow Member

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    It does not shine, it renew/ re-juice back to life & protect them from UV.

     
    #7 NoMoreNow, Sep 5, 2013
    mrbigh likes this.
  8. thomas goddard

    thomas goddard Junior Member

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    I got a DashMat off of E-bay, it fit like it was a factory item. Be sure to get a dark color as the lighter ones reflect up onto the windshield.
     
    #8 thomas goddard, Sep 5, 2013
  9. Wayward

    Wayward Member

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    #9 Wayward, Sep 6, 2013
  10. qdllc

    qdllc Senior Member

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    How does it work over time as far as "vapor" on the windshield. Past products I've used get "cooked" off and leave a film on the windshield that's a pain to clean off. It's why I went for dash mats instead.

    How long between applications?
     
    #10 qdllc, Sep 6, 2013
  11. qdllc

    qdllc Senior Member

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    #11 qdllc, Sep 6, 2013
  12. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    Your dash is already protected as the front windshield has a 100% UV cut rate, the highest of the 11 windows. No need to stink it up with 303 Aerospace (not to say it isn't a great product for elsewhere).
     
    #12 32kcolors, Sep 6, 2013
    CdotK likes this.
  13. qdllc

    qdllc Senior Member

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    Ordered it....thanks. I hope it's as nice as the one I have for my pickup.

    I'm having an issue with JuicedHybrid over the dash mat I ordered from them. It didn't fit, and this isn't rocket science. You put it on and position it so it fits as it should on the dash (lining up along the outer edges). If all holes don't line up properly, it's not cut right.

    Well, I'm asking for an RMA because the hole for the center display is a bit too far to the right and looks horrible (never mind that it doesn't lay flat). Since it is to go back to the supplier, the supplier wants to know what the issue is (including pictures). This I can understand.

    I will be fair and PRESUME it is the supplier being a jerk about a return and not JH, but considering JH has a 100% satisfaction guarantee, I'm not impressed at having to jump through hoops before getting a RMA.

    First, JH asks for pictures so they can determine if I'm just unhappy with the product, if I was sent the wrong one, or if it's otherwise defective. So, I put the cover back in place and take photos. As far as I'm concerned, the maker didn't cut it to specs with the 2013 Prius. I know Toyota moved the center display a bit more to the left, and that's where the mat DOES NOT line up...when it is aligned on the dash along the edges.

    Then, JH asks if I had aligned the hole in the cover for the "auto on/off" sensor for the headlights. To my knowledge, I don't have that feature, but there is a knob on the dash where the hole is on the cover, so I presume that's the point of alignment. When I do that, the whole cover is way off. I took photos of both alignments for JH.

    Then, JH asks if I used the Velcro to attach it to the dashboard. Really? I don't adhere ANYTHING down until the test fit works (simple principle of measure twice, cut once). I'm not gumming up a good dashboard before I've verified the fit of what's to be attached. The Velcro is provided to prevent the mat from sliding, not to ensure it fits properly. Even the manufacturer's instructions say that the Velcro is optional.

    Then, when I point this out to JH, they say that if I didn't have the "passenger temperature sensor" (WTH is that?) or "front side speakers" on my Prius, I should have specified as such when ordering? What does that have to do with ANYTHING? The Prius dash comes in TWO models....WITH or WITHOUT H.U.D. My issue is that when you place the mat so it aligns with the perimeter of the dash (and yes, it had cutouts for the front dash speakers), it doesn't align properly with the center display.

    I could understand JH wanting pictures so the manufacturer can see how the mat didn't line up, but that either JH or the manufacturer is ARGUING with me over it?
     
    #13 qdllc, Sep 7, 2013
  14. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    Wow, yeah, based on this I don't think I will do business with Juiced Hybrid.
     
    #14 mediahound, Sep 7, 2013
    Sassylady likes this.
  15. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    An unfortunate case of "negligence" ?
     
    #15 mrbigh, Sep 7, 2013
  16. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    I use a sun shield. It keeps the vehicle cooler on hot days. And even if the front window has a 100% UV block rate, I still feel better blocking out the sun.

    I also have used 303 Aerospace protectant. It's a good product. It's going to clean your dash as well as protect it against UV damage. I don't use it year round, I treat my dash maybe twice yearly with it. It's expensive and to be honest it adds just a little gloss so I don't like the look as much. The rest of the year I clean using Meguiars Interior Detailer. It's a great product IMO leaves no residue, probably less protective.

    I also carry in my glove compartment a small foldable duster. From time to time, I just get it out and dust off the dash area. It works great.

    So keeping it clean, a sunshield and occasional treatments of 303 is the way I go. I think improvements in the UV blocking capabilities of the windshield, coupled with the durability of todays plastics and I think I'm OK.

    It's not like the 70's and 80's where you had some dash's that would easily dry out and crack.

    Personal opinion, so ignore with ease...but I hate those dash covers. Looks way too tacky to me. Like covering the couch in a plastic cover.
     
    #16 The Electric Me, Sep 7, 2013
  17. 32kcolors

    32kcolors Senior Member

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    A sun shield also provides another major benefit which is keeping the heat out and making the car cooler.

    Do you apply sunscreen indoors too?

    Really, there's no UV hitting the dash so dash fading is really a thing of the past. All you really need is a California mini duster. No water or chemical is necessary to keep the dash clean.
     
    #17 32kcolors, Sep 7, 2013
  18. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    Do you have a link to the small duster you use? Sounds useful, I'd like to get one.
     
    #18 mediahound, Sep 7, 2013
  19. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Actually I said nothing about fading out. It's a plastic dash...so I'm going with the idea that a product designed to clean and protect plastic is a good idea.

    And yes...again as I said....I use a dash duster...
     
    #19 The Electric Me, Sep 7, 2013
  20. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    As mentioned a brand name is The California Dash Duster...it'll work. I don't remember the name of the one I bought. I like it because it's small and the handle actually folds so I can easily fit it in the top glove compartment.

    Another tip people apply is just keeping a dry Swiffer Sweeper sheet in the glove compartment and using that. I've done both.

    Sorry I can't remember the name of the duster I bought, I bought it in the auto accessory department of my local department store, it's pretty generic. Wasn't very expensive.
     
    #20 The Electric Me, Sep 7, 2013
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