I just finished detailing my car on friday and today I noticed the interior dash and the doors were already faded again after applying armor all on them on friday. I know it's just going ot get worse and worse. I don't know if E36's are having this problem yet, but seeing an E30 with a crack on the dash from instrument cluster to firewall isn't uncommon. Is there anything I can do about this? I was thinking maybe some dye for the fading, but I doubt that there is much I can do about possible cracking.

I'm not sure what you can do to repair the damage that's been done, but I can tell you how to prevent further damage - use a product that has UV protectants in it, like 303 Aerospace dressing (probably the most common interior dressing).

there are plastic fillers that you can get to repair the cracks. they work much like body filler on a car: fill, smooth, paint. i dont know how difficult it is to achieve good results though.

i ALWAYS use a sunshade, whether it is cloudy or not. if i park the car outside at night time, and there's a chance it will be in the sun in the morning, i put the sunshade up.

you can get a BMW one at the dealer. its kind of expensive but it works great. its stiff and folds vertically, so it doesnt sag in the middle like the soft ones. it also has a matte silvery grey outer finish that is just as effective as the obnoxious chromey finish that other sunshades have.

I have tinted windows too, so that helps keep sun exposure while parked to a minimum as well.

i agree that you should switch to using the 303 aerospace protectant as well. it gives a nicer finish than armor all anyways.

dont forget the coupon code "clubmember" to get 10% off the order. http://www.autogeek.net/303aerprot.html

Unfortunately, this is one of the well known byproducts of using ArmorAll. That product has been well known for causing certain dashs to crack when it's not used constantly. It leaches the plasticizers out of the dash and attempts to replace it with it's own oils. Over time, the oils vaporize and the dash ends up more brittle than when you started.

Now Armorall has supposively reformulated for other reasons, but they claim that they don't crack dashs anymore. I'd strongly recommend going to Aerospace 303 protectant. It gives a matte finish and doesn't have the issues that ArmorAll has. It's a little more expensive, and not as readily found, but remember, it was originally used in Airplanes and Boats. Two things where UV has a much stronger effect and is the industry standard for both of those markets.

yea 303 is the shit. i use it on my stongard.
i use meguiars dash and trim protectant right now cuase i got it free. seems to work well, moderate shine. i got my windows tinted to help protect my interior too ( i hate tinted windows)
i am thinking about a dashcover but iono.

I just finished detailing my car on friday and today I noticed the interior dash and the doors were already faded again after applying armor all on them on friday. I know it's just going ot get worse and worse. I don't know if E36's are having this problem yet, but seeing an E30 with a crack on the dash from instrument cluster to firewall isn't uncommon. Is there anything I can do about this? I was thinking maybe some dye for the fading, but I doubt that there is much I can do about possible cracking.
Another endorsement for the 303, it's great stuff for the dashboard and interior parts.
In addition to fillers for the cracks, I read about vinyl dyes and went to a site that sold them but I forget where and which forum originally posted it. Maybe try a search for vinyl dyes and see what turns up.-John C.

Thanks guys, I'll get some. Luckily the dash hasn't cracked yet. Hopefully it's not too late for some preventative measures.

Armoral is not really fit for interiors, Its overly slimy and too harsh as a cleaner. The only thing I would use it on is my tires/running boards but it doesnt even last long on those. :(