Another Sticky Dash Issue

old guy · 02-17-2020, 09:40 PM

So has anyone definitively figured out if it was a uv problem or an age problem? I ask only because my car sees very little uv light basically only while I’m on the road. Otherwise it’s parked in the garage or in the shade.

SouthArk370Z · 02-23-2020, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old guy

So has anyone definitively figured out if it was a uv problem or an age problem? ...

I don't think UV is the cause. Probably doesn't help matters but I don't believe it is the root problem. It happens to too many garaged cars to be a UV problem, unless the Alcantera is terribly sensitive (since other Nissan models don't seem to suffer as bad, I don't think that's the case).

I didn't use any chemicals when cleaning the dash, so I think I can rule that out. Used mild window cleaners and sprayed on cloth, not directly on window.

My guess is that heat is the culprit - I usually drive with A/C off and windows down so my dash can get pretty hot on sunny days.

nis350 · 02-24-2020, 12:46 AM

I honestly think the dash issue is related to the material having some kind of chemical reaction/deterioration due to aging. My car was under a car cover in the garage in very mild temperature in SOCAL for 2 months. I cleaned it with the 303 aerospace protectant before covering the car. It was nice, but it turned grayish now. The car cover didn't come off during this time period.

The sun/heat obviously would cause the dash to become sticky, but the root cause is likely the material used for the dash is deteriorating due to aging.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SouthArk370Z

I don't think UV is the cause. Probably doesn't help matters but I don't believe it is the root problem. It happens to too many garaged cars to be a UV problem, unless the Alcantera is terribly sensitive (since other Nissan models don't seem to suffer as bad, I don't think that's the case).

I didn't use any chemicals when cleaning the dash, so I think I can rule that out. Used mild window cleaners and sprayed on cloth, not directly on window.

My guess is that heat is the culprit - I usually drive with A/C off and windows down so my dash can get pretty hot on sunny days.

viragoboy · 04-05-2020, 12:00 PM

I finally found time to complete this project, I had originally applied the cleaner product about 3 weeks ago and the gray dust started coming back so I had to do that again.

Some observations:
- my dash was not super sticky but some places closer to the glass were definitely worse
- as you can see from the pics it was turning gray everywhere, even places that were covered by plastic and never got sunlight
- the cleaning product alone cleared out the dust almost completely
- it is really difficult to not get splotchy results. In very visible areas (passenger side dash) I applied multiple coats. Use long back/forth strokes front->back. Don't skimp, you're unlikely to run out of product.
- disassemble everything you can. The triple gauge cluster was the most difficult since I cannot see in the back and cannot be removed easily. Still splotchy there, but can't really see so much.

My verdict: It's worth the effort and money, I look back at the pictures I took before I started and it's obvious I had to do something. It will take 4+ hours to complete, but I did it over a week since it's not my daily driver.

JARblue · 04-05-2020, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by viragoboy

I finally found time to complete this project, I had originally applied the cleaner product about 3 weeks ago and the gray dust started coming back so I had to do that again.

Some observations:
- the cleaning product alone cleared out the dust almost completely
- it is really difficult to not get splotchy results. In very visible areas (passenger side dash) I applied multiple coats. Use long back/forth strokes front->back. Don't skimp, you're unlikely to run out of product.

So you applied the cleaning product the second time and then finally applied the coating? And you're saying the coating application was difficult to apply without splotches?

I am very interested to know if the splotchiness goes away or remains there more than a few days. And of course, in for the longer term results as well

viragoboy · 04-06-2020, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JARblue

So you applied the cleaning product the second time and then finally applied the coating? And you're saying the coating application was difficult to apply without splotches?

I am very interested to know if the splotchiness goes away or remains there more than a few days. And of course, in for the longer term results as well

Yes, applied cleaner twice. The instructions are pretty clear and point out that the coating should be applied shortly after the cleaner or have to start over. Thinking about it now it probably would have turned out better (less splotchy) if I hadn't applied it sparingly. I was afraid if I ran out then I'd be SOL.

Anyways, definitely not a UV issue in my case since the car has been garaged for 10 years with only 50k miles. I bought a few of these to soak up the humidity in the car, unfortunately too late:

https://www.amazon.com/Eva-dry-333-R.../dp/B00LVN7BM0

nis350 · 05-29-2021, 02:01 AM

just curious how your dash is holding up?

Quote:

Originally Posted by viragoboy

Yes, applied cleaner twice. The instructions are pretty clear and point out that the coating should be applied shortly after the cleaner or have to start over. Thinking about it now it probably would have turned out better (less splotchy) if I hadn't applied it sparingly. I was afraid if I ran out then I'd be SOL.

Anyways, definitely not a UV issue in my case since the car has been garaged for 10 years with only 50k miles. I bought a few of these to soak up the humidity in the car, unfortunately too late:

https://www.amazon.com/Eva-dry-333-R.../dp/B00LVN7BM0

viragoboy · 05-31-2021, 09:20 PM

That stuff didn't make any difference, I just bought a cover for the dash which turned out less ugly than I thought. I took a peek under the cover a few days ago and it's completely covered in gray dust.

I'm turned off on Nissan over this, they should have taken ownership of the problem. Won't be buying another Nissan anytime soon.

02-17-2020, 09:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
old guy A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: S.E. Michigan Age: 69 Posts: 2,711 Drives: 13 magma touring Rep Power: 2684370	So has anyone definitively figured out if it was a uv problem or an age problem? I ask only because my car sees very little uv light basically only while I’m on the road. Otherwise it’s parked in the garage or in the shade. __________________ I better walk before they make me run....

05-31-2021, 09:20 PM	#8 (permalink)
viragoboy Base Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Atlanta Posts: 6 Drives: '09 370Z Rep Power: 112	That stuff didn't make any difference, I just bought a cover for the dash which turned out less ugly than I thought. I took a peek under the cover a few days ago and it's completely covered in gray dust. I'm turned off on Nissan over this, they should have taken ownership of the problem. Won't be buying another Nissan anytime soon. __________________ 2009 / Touring / Sport Package / Platinum Graphite / Gray Interior Greddy Turbo Ti-C / Stillen Gen3 / Berk HFC / UpRev Tune by Forged Performance

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