How to protect your car dashboard from harmful UV rays

THE WORLD’S LONGEST TANNING SESSION

The average age of cars on the road has risen to about 12 years. This is because today’s car owners are holding onto their vehicles much longer than they did in the past and buying used more often than new.

During those 12 years, these vehicles spend most of their time in the sun, absorbing constant UV exposure. UV rays react with the polymers in your plastic dash in a process called polymer degradation, drying out the plastic and causing it to become stiff, brittle and discoloured.

And UV exposure isn’t the only culprit when it comes to a damaged dash. Infrared radiation from the sun can cause the temperature inside your car to skyrocket to 120 degrees or higher, placing even more stress on these plastic surfaces. During the summer, these sustained temperatures can cause special ingredients called plasticisers to heat up until they evaporate from your dashboard. Plasticisers are responsible for keeping the plastics inside your car soft and supple, which means your dashboard will become even more dry and brittle, until eventually, it even begins to crack.

A cracked, faded dashboard not only impacts the look of your car, it also poses a safety issue. Your dashboard houses some important components of your car including your airbags, so the last thing you want is a cracked dash. Luckily, we have some easy ways to prevent this damage in the first place, while keeping your interior plastics supple, shiny and hydrated!

SUNSCREEN FOR YOUR CAR

In the same way you use sunscreen to protect your skin, our interior cleaners and protectants use advanced, UV inhibitors to protect your dashboard and other plastic surfaces inside your car. UV inhibitors makes these surfaces more reflective, allowing UV rays to bounce rather than absorb into the plastic of your dashboard.

The most effective way to prevent your dashboard from cracking and fading in the sun is to clean and protect it on a regular basis. We recommend our Turtle Wax Dash & Glass for a car dashboard cleaner that not only removes dust and grime, but also leaves behind a layer of powerful UV protection. Or, if you want a more general-purpose cleaner, our Hybrid Solutions Streak-Free Mist cleans, protects and shines every surface inside your car for the ultimate, showroom look.

These dashboard cleaners are super easy to use. Just spray these products onto the surface you’re trying to clean, and use a soft, microfiber cloth to wipe away any dirt or stains. Once you're done, you’ve already activated that layer of UV protection to preserve your interior’s factory fresh finish. And, once your dashboard starts to look dull or dirty again, all you have to do is give it a quick spray and wipe with one of our cleaners and you’re good to go! It's that simple!