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Need help fast--messed up dashboard

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Old 08-23-05, 04:52 PM
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sonyman
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Default Need help fast--messed up dashboard

I was treating the interior of my car with meguiars leather cleaner and conditioner. I figured I would try it on my dashboard since most leather cleaners are for vinyl as well anyway. Well on the glovebox and by the key ring, it made my dashboard look greenish. What can I use to restore it back? I have already tried lexus brand vinyl cleaner and conditioner, and back to black with no success. Please help me!

Scott
Old 08-23-05, 08:34 PM
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Guitarman
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What color was the cloth/rag you used? Any possibility it wasn't color fast and the dye came out of the material and thus onto the dash? I can't think of any other reason that product would react that way on plastic or vinyl, it shouldn't.

Try a Mr Clean Magic Eraser. I've had success with it on such things.

Good luck.
Old 08-24-05, 06:49 AM
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sonyman
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The conditioner was pink, so I am thinking the product got into the pores of the material, and made it look green. No dashboard material came off onto the rag I used.

Scott
Old 08-24-05, 07:03 AM
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jfelbab
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What color is your dash? Any pictures of the stain?

Meguiar's leather cleaner is not green so where did the green color come from? Was there some junk in the rag you used? Could it be that you rubbed away the vinyl coating?

The best vinyl cleaner I've ever used is Meguiar's #39. You might try that. I've also found the Lexus branded cleaner and conditioner to be excellent products.

If you are unsuccessful in removing the stain, see a vinyl patch tech who can recoat the area and match the color.
Old 08-24-05, 07:09 AM
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chicagoblknazn
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This is scaring me......can you post some pics? I'm not putting anything on my dash from now on, except 303.
Old 08-24-05, 07:18 AM
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sonyman
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I'll take pics in a minute, although they may not show up that well. The stains are hard to see.

Scott
Old 08-24-05, 07:24 AM
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sonyman
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The magic eraser didn't do anything.

Scott
Old 08-24-05, 07:51 AM
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Alright I uploaded the pictures.

https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/up...7/DSC00169.JPG

https://www.clublexus.com/gallery/up...7/DSC00170.JPG

Scott
Old 08-24-05, 08:44 AM
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chicagoblknazn
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Picture 1
Old 08-24-05, 08:45 AM
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Picture 2

Old 08-24-05, 08:47 AM
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chicagoblknazn
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Wow....

It looks like a chemical reaction.......I'm not sure you'll be able to jus wipe that off.
Old 08-24-05, 10:49 AM
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superpats
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There had to be something on that rag before you applied the meguiars leather cleaner and conditioner to it? Can you remember anything? If black again doesn't get it out I'm really not to sure which route to go.
Old 08-24-05, 11:00 AM
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sonyman
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There wasn't anything on the rag prior. It was a freshly washed (not with bleach either) terry towel.

Scott
Old 08-24-05, 04:24 PM
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Well ladies and gentlemen, there is a happy (somewhat) ending. I paid a specialist to go ahead and redye the dashboard. For $110 he did the entire dashboard in a factory match. It looks excellent!

Scott
Old 08-24-05, 04:27 PM
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Why don't you post this over on the Meguiar's forum and post the photos there too. Maybe they can offer some assistance.

My guess is that you have worn off the vinyl coating that was on the dash. IMO, the only way to repair this is to respray new vinyl on the area. Most dashes are all the same color when they are manufactured. They are painted with a vinyl coating to match the color scheme. I think you have worn through that coating and are seeing the underlaying color.


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