C4 Detailing Tip Needed

[George Warren 46042]

Alright...what's the "trick" to clean the dashboard on my '89 right up to the windshield. I can't even get my hand in that small space. I'd like to rub a little armour-all on the dash but the rag also touches the windshield at the same time I'm squeezing it into the space where the dash and windshield meet. Is there a "tool" or a "trick" to this troublesome spot? What do you guys do to detail this hard to reach area before competitions? Secondly, I've got some "stuff" stuck between the end "lip" of the dash and the windshield (you can only see it when standing outside the car and looking in through the windshild). How do I get this "stuff" (of course it's white) out of the crevice? -George

[William Clupper (618)]

Re: C4 Detailing Tip Needed

Keep in mind that the dash of a C-4 is flattened at the factory to prevent reflection on the windshield due to the sharp rake angle of the C-4 windshield. Armor all or anything that produces a shine on the top of the dash should result in a judging deduct. Detailing a C-4 should generally not include doing anything to change the factory finish of the dash pad.

[Pat Moresi (45581)]

Re: C4 Detailing Tip Needed

George - On my 1996 C4 I usually press a sheet of paper between the rag and the windshield, and drag the paper along with the rag. I've found it works well as long as the rag is not so wet that it goes through the paper. And if a little moisture does penetrate to the windshield, then do the reverse, and drag a clean, dry rag against the windshield while putting a piece of paper between the rag and the treated dash, so the dry rag won't absorb what you've just applied.

As to removing the "stuff" caught in this area, I've successfully used both pressurized air and a small brush.

Good Luck, Patrick Moresi #45581

[Tom Stanton (41491)]

Re: C4 Detailing Tip Needed

Patrick is correct, I use a piece of papaer towel between the windshield and the rag. But it is correct if you are going to have the car judged do not have it shiny with armor- all. Just use the armor -all for protection, but take it off before judging. I was warned at A chapter judging about having the dash shiny.He did not deduct, but told me to get it off before regional.Tom

[Chuck Sangerhausen (20817)]

Re: C4 Detailing Tip Needed

The C6 is even tougher in that area...I use a microsoft towel (or paper towel) wrapped around a paint mixing stick. The thinner you can wrap the towel, the closer you get to the dash/windshield intersection. I concur with "no armor-all"; 303 Aerospace Protectant may help with UV/heat protection while adding little shine.

For the lint and other odd debris in the cracks and slots of the dash, use pressurized air. If you don't have a compressor, canned air used to clean computer keyboards is a good option.

[George Warren 46042]

Re: C4 Detailing Tip Needed

Thanks for the tips everyone. Including the "no shine" for the dash insight. A can of compressed air, a cloth, and a piece of paper...ah, I can feel the clean already. -Geo.

[Chuck Sangerhausen (20817)]

Re: C4 Detailing Tip Needed

Another tip: This should be obvious, but I had to figure it out for myself...Do the dash FIRST, then the windshield.

[Louis Trohatos (40341)]

Re: C4 Detailing Tip Needed

Regarding the too shiny appearance of Armor All, they've just introduced a new natural finish, silicone-free protectant. The non-greasy, residue free formula is even suitable for steering wheels. I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds very promising.

http://www.armorall.com/products/view_product.php?product_id=14&main_group=4&category_index=new

[Bill Belobrajdic (38746)]

Re: C4 Detailing Tip Needed

Stupid as it sounds, you could remove the dash pad? As many times as I have done this on my 84, 88 and 90--not that difficult to me.