Basically i'm looking for some tested products that you all use on your cars to bring back, or uncover, the brilliance in the dash and associated parts.

I have a 95 325i with a black interior... currently i use a variety of maguires products for basically everything (wash, dry, interior, pads, ets). But what i'm really looking for is a product that i can apply to the dash to help make it look not 11 years old... everything has slightly faded, but really not all that bad...

So... what are you guys/gals using to spruce things up a bit

thanks in advance!

*** also, air fresheners that last more then 10 seconds, any idea? Just looking for something subtle.


PS... damn i make myself sound old with my terminology "spruce" "gals" ha

Poorboy's trim restorer. http://autogeek.net/pbtr16.html

Instead of an air freshner I would recommend the Clean Air Fogger. It will remove the odors from the air and leave the air clean smelling. It is very easy to use and it will not leave any kind of residue whatsoever on the interior. http://autogeek.net/clairgefoair.html :)

Good luck.

is your dash leather wrapped or vinyl? that will determine what you need to do. if it's leather, you need some leather rejuvenating products like leatherique. this only works if the leather isn't too dried out or worn.

if you have vinyl, or plastic panels, i personally like to use Meguiar's "Gold Class vinyl/rubber protectant." it's not always available on store shelves, even stores that do carry a lot of Meguiar's products. but look around or order it online. after it dries, it doesn't leave a greasy film and dries to a matte finish. You mentioned meguiar's products so many you've already tried this one.. ??

additionally, get yourself a paintbrush. It really helps with cleaning out the small crevasses that are in the dash area.

Probably a vinyl dash.
A good combo for interior work (and cheap) is woolite/water, 1:6 for a cleaner. This'll get rid of old crud, dust and dirt.
Then finish/protect/restore with 303 aerospace protectant. A nice but subtly elegant satin finish, suitably spruced up.
Chemical Guys makes a variety of air freshners, including the organic/enzymatic ones that eat old odors and render them gone. They offer other fragrances also, including new car, and leather.
I'm hoping they'll debut an 'Essence of Moose' fragrance for us Canadians.
-John C.

additionally, get yourself a paintbrush. It really helps with cleaning out the small crevasses that are in the dash area.

+1

I use an inexpensive boar's hair brush from the home improvement store and it keeps dust/dirt out of hard to get places. Then I just do a quick mini-detail/dusting to get things completed!

...I'm hoping they'll debut an 'Essence of Moose' fragrance for us Canadians.
-John C.

no doubt the first available would be chocolate moose, non?

What would you guys recommend Poorboys Trim Restorer or the Poorboys Natural Looking Dressing?

The descriptions seem pretty similar really. From the description the Trim Restorer seems to be more for that final touch, buti just want my interior to be clean and protected. Its odd cause from just the name you would think that the natural looking dressing product is "for that final touch".

Or am i totally wrong??

What would you guys recommend Poorboys Trim Restorer or the Poorboys Natural Looking Dressing?

The descriptions seem pretty similar really. From the description the Trim Restorer seems to be more for that final touch, buti just want my interior to be clean and protected. Its odd cause from just the name you would think that the natural looking dressing product is "for that final touch".

Or am i totally wrong??


The natural look is a dressing whereas the trim restorer is for more for faded trim.

Probably a vinyl dash.
A good combo for interior work (and cheap) is woolite/water, 1:6 for a cleaner. This'll get rid of old crud, dust and dirt.
Then finish/protect/restore with 303 aerospace protectant. A nice but subtly elegant satin finish, suitably spruced up.
Chemical Guys makes a variety of air freshners, including the organic/enzymatic ones that eat old odors and render them gone. They offer other fragrances also, including new car, and leather.
I'm hoping they'll debut an 'Essence of Moose' fragrance for us Canadians.
-John C.


I agree. I always use woolite and water on the interior. It cleans really good and it even seems to brighten the color some, but you have to rinse it off pretty quickly with clean water or else it can streak.

303 is the best UV protectant out there! It smells awful but works great! lol

I also love Pinnacle's vinyl and rubber protectant. IT leaves a nice elegant look to the vinyl.

"essence of moose" too funny!!! hehehehehe

"essence of moose" too funny!!! hehehehehe

I apologize for my comment but I just didn't know what came over me. It just seemed perfect at the time but I have to commend BostonRog for his quick and witty reparte. His 'Chocolate Moose' response was amazingly quick, amazingly clever, subtle yet trenchant and explored various nuances of the English language.
He's the real wit here, quick as a fox, clever beyond words, I laughed, I giggled, and I nearly had an accident in my trousers when I read his riposte. Oops, wait a minute, I'm old so I have those normally. Just kidding again.
Thanks Jen,
Thanks BostonRog - if you're ever in Victoria, give me prewarning and we'll share a thirst quenching bevvy and tell ribald stories about BMWs. I have a million, some including woodland creatures and small hairy vermin.
-John C.

I apologize for my comment but I just didn't know what came over me. It just seemed perfect at the time but I have to commend BostonRog for his quick and witty reparte. His 'Chocolate Moose' response was amazingly quick, amazingly clever, subtle yet trenchant and explored various nuances of the English language.
He's the real wit here, quick as a fox, clever beyond words, I laughed, I giggled, and I nearly had an accident in my trousers when I read his riposte. Oops, wait a minute, I'm old so I have those normally. Just kidding again.
Thanks Jen,
Thanks BostonRog - if you're ever in Victoria, give me prewarning and we'll share a thirst quenching bevvy and tell ribald stories about BMWs. I have a million, some including woodland creatures and small hairy vermin.
-John C.


LMAO!! I love Candians!! You guys have the best sense of humor! lol hehehehehe too funny!