Clean Or Dye My 67 Dash Pads?

[Jace H.]

My bright blue 67 dash pads are in excellent condition overall but are not quite bright anymore. I would prefer to clean them vs spray dye them. Anyone have an opinion on what works or is the best process? Or should I dye them?

Thanks,
Jace Holt

[G B.]

Yes, I have an opinion

If you spray dye them, they will look like they have been spray dyed. If you clean them with vinyl cleaner (and keep the Armor-All off them), they will look like nice original pads that have aged a little.

But Jace, I don't know you. You may be one of those clean-n-shiny types who can't live with any age marks. I guess I'm the opposite. I spend my days un-doing spray bomb "detailing" by others.

[Jace H.]

Nope, I Want To Clean Them

Jerry,

Thanks for the quick response. I really want to clean them and will take original looking over shiny any day. I was just curious to see what others thought. What do you recommend as a good cleaner that won't damage the vinyl? The driver side is the worst on top where greasy fingers have been.

Thanks again,
Jace

[Tom Merkel]

Re: Yes, I have an opinion

Jerry - Just wondering from your comment about keeping Armorall OFF the '67 dash pads. Is there a lesson-lerarned by you in wanting to not use Armorall? I use the new Armorall 'wipes' occasionally, and haven't seen anything I'd call questionable as far as altering the original look.

Tom

[Bill Wilkins]

Re: Clean Or Dye My 67 Dash Pads?

I just used some Armor-all spray cleaner on my I thought it was white 78. I used a white towel and when I was done the towel was black and now the old parts look new again. I don't like to use the Armor-all protectant because it leaves everything shiny and collects dust like crazy.

[G B.]

Vinyl conditioners

I believe the white Armorall Protectorant is water based. It doesn't penetrate vinyl and leaves a slimey film on top.

I prefer an oil based product called Vinyl Re-Nu by Auto Tech. It is distributed out of Grant's Pass, Oregon. Auto Tech's number is (800) 545-8624.

I clean vinyl with 409 in warm water and a very soft bristle tooth brush.

[Wayne K.]

Re: Clean Or Dye My 67 Dash Pads?

Jace,

I've had good results using 303 Aerospace Protectant. Apply it doing 1/4 of the pad at a time and scub with a soft brush wiping after with a cotton turkish towel. Doesn't leave a high shine and has a UV protectant.

Wayne

[john38706]

Re: paint them

if you use a good quality corvette interior dye say like mid america or so they have the correct hue and are not shiny. i have done this alot and have had experts say they cannot tell. jerry, quit buying your spray from napa.

[G B.]

Let me guess...

You bead-blast everything made of aluminum, and you have that gray crap smeared all over your exhaust manifolds.

Hmmmmm..... I can see it now. Fresh 'n new, clean 'n shiny.

[Rod R.]

Re: paint them

I repainted several car's dash pads with high quality dye/paint using a spray gun and the pads looked like new when completed. They did not have the "spray bomb" look.

[Chas Kingston]

[Jace H.]

Thanks Everyone! I'm Gonna Clean Um *NM*

[Kent K.]

Silicones are DEATH !!! to a great car

Steve Koss who volunteered for the fiberglass program at GM Tech Center Parts Fab, explained several times how they banned ANYTHING with silicones from their facilities. Take GM's best interest in their product, get rid of EVERYTHING in your posession with silicones as part of their contents. If we wish to have beautiful paint, vinyl, leather, tires, etc., there is a better way to clean and protect them. Carefull cleaning and preservation may be accomplished with numerous other products not containing silicone. Jerry Bramlet explained his task best ... removing all that stuff is a chore.

Lemon Pledge was recommended as a good leather/vinyl care product to me by a knowledgable car guy who shows brass era and post-war cars. Eagle One works great on tires if you plan not to have NCRS or Bloomington Gold judge. Pure carnuba wax is the best of all waxes for laquer. This discussion could go on and on and on with input from others and their favorite, non-silicone, products. (Commercials not allowed.)

Remember ... restore them, don't enhance them for the crusher!

Good Corvetting, Kent - #6201

[George Romano]

Re: Clean Or Dye My 67 Dash Pads?

You should see how nice my car shines when I use Armour All on the paint!
Let the next owner worry about a new paint job.

George