autotech13

Hi guys. I have a 2013 ES 350 in mint condition.I bought the car last winter, with 2,000 miles on it, and kept it in the garage out of the very bad winter we had in the northeast. I have discovered a small shiny area on the top middle part of the dash. So I got a microwfiber towel and some Dawn dishwashing liquid, with water, and cleaned the area. Well now I have a dull grayish area. I had some black water in the bucket, so I'm assuming that maybe some of the color has come out. Is there any products that I can use to restore the black on my dash? In fact, the whole dash doesn't look as black as the lower section does. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

jfelbab

I hope you have not caused permanent damage. Microfiber towels can be quite abrasive and rubbing the dash with one aggressively will polish it and make it shiny. Using Dawn on it likely has removed some of the dye.

You could try a couple different protectants and see if it darkens the area and matches the overall patina. I doubt it will and you might need to have a pro repair the area. Likely this will entail removal of the dash and a respray or even a replacement of the dash. The dash material is easily damaged.

First rule of detailing is "Don't make it worse." I'd suggest you go see a pro and get an estimate before you do anything more DIY.

autotech13

Thanks Jim. I will car the dealer today.
Wayne

autotech13

Just an update. I went to the dealer today and the dash came out like new. They first cleaned it, then put on a somewhat glossy finish, then they cleaned that off and that left a very nice matte finish that looks like new again. The guy didn't go into great details of what they really did, but I'm very happy with the results.

wcrintod

The guy didn't go into great details of what they really did, but I'm very happy with the results.

anamynous

Thanks for the update. I think I'll stop by the dealer too. I recently scratched up my dash wiping it down with a micro fiber towel.

autotech13

How could you scratch the dash with a microwfiber towel??