My cracks are on the sides, this won’t hide it. I’ll most likely get it replaced at the dealership, but it’s a few grand, would certainly be interested in other alternatives


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I've always hated dash covers, but I'm open to seeing this one in a Z because the alternatives aren't very appealing. Replacing the dash personally isn't something I really want to do and I hate the thought of having a dealership do it for numerous reasons.

I wouldn't spend a few grand on a new dash that will eventually go bad again.

Without replacing, I imagine the only other way to truly “fix” it would be to remove the dash, sand away the top layer, then paint and texture it. But removing and installing the dash is very time consuming if I recall correctly.

If I get a new dash, I’ll make sure windows are closed when parked in the garage, leave a moisture absorbing thing inside the car, that should do it.

Agree replacement with factory isn’t the best option, but I’ve had my Z a while and have kept it in very good shape and spent a lot on upgrades, but then looking at the cracks in the dash just looks so cheap, ugh. I have to fix it eventually, it’s not my daily and I don’t plan to ever sell it.


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https://www.dropbox.com/s/etftwtm7gv...2.42.jpg?raw=1

I picked up these.
Always use a window cover.
Need to get xpel UV 70% for the windshield still.

Ooooo I like those pouches!

Issue is when the sun hits the dash, the adhesive underneath begins to seep through to the top. That's the sticky residue.
Humidity and moisture are not the culprits.

It's the direct heat being applied to the dash by the sun.

isn't this thread just a bunch of posts disputing that.
lots of examples of people that garage the car year round
one dash was in an attic and still got sticky.

Might as well cover all the bases.
I've got sun blocking, will soon have uv blocking.
I protect it with carpro perl.
And now have moisture protection.

:iagree: I am sure that the deterioration of the dash materials is primarily due to age, and the other factors such as UV and heat probably accelerated the process.

Check older posts. Not UV not heat whatsoever for me.

:iagree: my car is always in the garage and rarely driven in socal weather, then all of the sudden the stickiness appeared. My guess is that it took about 6 to 7 years for the dash materials to deteriorate.

Mine Is Always In The Garage And It's A 2010 Roadster - :confused:
Never Drive It With The Top Up Never - :tiphat:
There Doesn't Seem To Be A Clear Pattern...

My Z has always been stored in the garage. Even in there I always use a sun shade in the windshield and the car is covered the majority of the time. When its in the garage the dash is dry, but looks whitish in areas and dried out. As soon as it hits the hot sun, the dash gets shiny and sticky.

I am in the exact situation as you. I have the car cover on the car even inside the garage. Grayish dash inside and it turns shiny almost immediately under the sun.

I just periodically wipe the dash with a little bit of the 303 vinyl protectant and hoping it won't crack...

Thinking about ordering from that company.

https://dashcare.com/i-2761778-nissa...ash-cover.html

looks interesting.... not sure how it stays on the dash as the tapes can't be used with the stickiness on the dash.

The FAQ #14 thru #17 addresses attaching the cover to the dash.

https://dashcare.com/ft-287-faqs.html#q19416

TLDR version: it comes with Velcro, but it’s optional. They add a little extra material toward the windshield side so installer can tuck the front edge into into the space between dash and windshield. That usually secures it enough. Velcro is used only when needed. The glue side of the velcro uses acrylic adhesive to handle high heat.

Love that this company offers different materials. That’s a good start. For me though, the infected area is so far reach, “infections” are apparent in areas where no sunlight hits, it’s hopeless for my case.

Here the dash cover feels and appears well-made.

It doesn't cover the cracked areas of my dash, thus I won't use it.

What brand is that?

I thought it looked familiar. I ordered without the binder installed but included in the box (which is an option when ordering) to have it affixed after I put the mat on the dash and cut it to fit properly. IMO the fit is not good out of the box, evidenced by it crowding the triple gauges and laying over the top of the center stack in your picture. I also extended the mat down so it meets the glove box door, otherwise as you know it leaves about 1-1.5" of the dash exposed above it which isn't apparent in your pictures because of the shadow. No clue why they left it short and position it over the center stack but IMO looks terrible that way. I then brought to an local interior shop to have the binder sewn on my final product.

Result, when my seat skin installer saw it he commented, "Best fitting dash cover I've even seen." :eek:

For anyone considering the product I highly recommend ordering without the binder attached and cutting to fit better.

To be completely honest, the cover was simply placed over the dash for the photo;it was not affixed.

Affixing it won't help, the out of the box fit is too tight around cutouts etc.

Well well well....I think I have solved this issue.

So, let me give you a bit of context first. I have a 2009. 16k miles fully loaded Z. It's been garaged its whole life so you can imagine the dash had seen just a tiny bit of sun.

It was always good, but it was slowly fading as it's just old. I was wiping it with some wet wipes and then drying with a microfibre towel and sure enough, the dash was becoming stickier and stickier. I was going through forums, reading options, no solution.

Fast forward few months, we bought another daily for which I wanted to refresh outer black plastic trim and I got a product from some brand "Shiny Garage". It did the job phenomenally, which somehow stuck with me.

As I was preparing the Z for the new season, I went to get a new leather conditioner and I also looked for any dashboard products which would refresh it. I found one from the same brand, the product name is: Shiny Garage Plastic Protectant Matt
https://i.imgur.com/J6fcZgL.png

I've got no idea if it's available in the USA, probably you can get it.

So, I applied a total of 4 or 5 layers. Each time I did, I wiped the dashboard, then wiped it dry with a microfiber towel and it darkened the dashboard just a TINY bit. It did leave it non-sticky and non-shiny though. So I proceeded to do this several times during several days and the result is excellent. I'll post pics in a few weeks when the car gets out, so I can photo it in the daylight, but yeah. The sticky dash issue can apparently be fixed!

Thank you for sharing this product

So, I damaged the engine in my 370 tracking it two years ago. It has been in my shop for that ENTIRE time. Out of direct sunlight.

I am putting the repaired engine back in last month (Feb), and noticed the dash has turned completely chalky white. This is an absolute shock to me. Because, I have been in and out of the cabin several times and not noticed this. It looks like it has been painted white, all of it.

It is completely white, top and sides, even next to the door panels where it wraps around the sides of the body. Even behind the instrument cluster.

So, this is not from too much sunlight, it appears.

I choose to ignore the dash, and focus on getting the engine installed and running.

Once the car is running, I drive it out of the shop into the outside sun. I notice immediately the dash starts to change and becomes sticky like oils are coming to the surface.

My brother in law sends me info on a product that will fix it. I am skeptical, and planning to buy a new $1800 dash from Nissan and install it myself.

The miracle product arrives from Autogeek and I reluctantly try one application.

IT WORKS! I am so impressed!

30 days later and the dash still looks like new.

Hope this helps others!

Thanks for posting, but I couldn't find this on-line at all in the US.

I wasn't able to find Optimum Leather Protectant on Amazon, but I did find it on
https://www.autogeek.net. I've never heard of this site before today, so I don't know if its legit or not, but I took a chance and ordered it for a total of $20.66.

Thanks for posting this product. Hopefully it will help.

I bought mine from Autogeek also!

please do provide update when you can. hope the dash won't get oily once it is exposed to the sun/heat. Thanks...

I just wiped mine down (2010 MY) for the second time yesterday,
and it looks fantastic.

No sticky areas at all.

were you able to take it out under the sun light to see if it gets shiny/oily?

My dash cleaned up nicely with 303, but it would get shiny under the sun.

I just wanted to add that I also tried the sticky dash fix from www.stickydashfix.com on my V36 (G35 Sedan). I guess Nissan used the same type of dash material on the G35/G37 and the Z.

I did everything as per instructions and it did last for a while, probably a year or so. I had to do a second application for it to actually work as intended. I believe my first application was around March 2020 and second time was in summer of 2021.

It's been couple of years now and it seems to hold up. However, time will tell how long that'll last really. In my opinion this is the best solution so far, even if it is only temporary for a few years. I only clean the dash with some water every now and then and I don't bother with chemicals. At least not on the dash.

Hope this helps someone out.

So far the car has been in the Sun, and the sticky shiny oil slick has not returned.

Knock on wood!

I just received the Optimum Leather Protectant from AutoGeek. If I get a chance over the weekend, I'll apply it and post the results here.

Got the car out of the garage today and finally saw what my dashboard looks like in broad daylight. All I can say is...WOW. Looks brand new!!

(I dunno why, I didn't take pics. I'll take some tomorrow)

awaiting for the good news... hopefully ;)

Working on it now. I'll post the results in a few hours.

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This is the only "before" photo I have, when I just bought the car:

https://i.imgur.com/BHFQJ7oh.jpg

Here it didn't become sticky yet, but it is a bit more faded than it is now. This is after the treatment:


https://i.imgur.com/XX8YpPIh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/5aNzufIh.jpg

Yeah, same angle, but I tried to get different lighting to show it. Take a look at that nice dark matte finish! And no stickiness whatsoever!