That wide dashboard

[Katoomba]

I put the new rego sticker on last Monday (it's hard to believe I've had the car for a year now) and had to use some metho to get rid of the sticky gunk from the old label.

A few drops fell on top of the dashboard and although it's barely noticeable they left a slight greyish tinge. I also notice the whole dashboard is getting a rather dusty/dirty look that is not removed by wiping with a damp rag.

Is anybody using some kind of product on it to keep it clean? I wouldn't want to use Amourgard or anything that leaves a shine as the normal reflection of the dashboard in the windscreen is bad enough.,

[apstar]

Keeping it clean is easy I use just the feather duster the motorized version you see on TV the problem I see happening is that it looks like drying out and will get cracks in it so you will need something to keep it soft yep like Amour all

apstar

[snappy]

I was told using amorall will speed up cracking if not applicated on a regular basis.
I reccomend using autoglym dash care treatment its a little pricey but work really well . Or get a dash mat

[Katoomba]

Yes, I did get the impression it will start cracking eventually because it just has they 'dryish' look about it.

I'll check out the autoglym - does that make the dash shiny?

I haven't come across dash mats for Mondeos yet - I'll have to check around.

Thanks for the answers.

Cheers.

[LRsedan]

You need some GPC - General Purpose Cleaner.

Dilute it 10:1 and wipe over the dash, this cleans it.

Then either leave bare, or dress it in a UV blocker.

Both 303 Aerospace protectant and Vinylex dressings leave the dashboard in a matte finish to reduce glare, but provide UV protection.

Products can be bought at either

www.waxit.com.au or www.finalinspection.com.au/store.


DO NOY use armoural, it contains silicone. Whilst it makes it look better, the silicone actually draws moisture out of the dash. So unless you reapply it very often, it will do more damage than good.

303 and vinylex and a few other such as Autoglym, duragloss, poorboys, chemical guys etc are all safer options.

[warren77]

LR Sedan

Any suggestions for the leather seats in the XR5? Not sure if normal leather cleaners and conditioners will work on that leather.

[Dusty1]

This might seem like heresy, but I thought that all vinyls now had UV inhibitors in them to stop cracking.

I know the dash on the Mondeo is long and wide, but surely now Ford and other car manufacturers must get onto the suppliers and tell them that they don't want cracks any more. I know my old HT Kingswood had some nasty cracks that could (and did) draw blood on the dash, but surely vinyl technology has increased and cracking dashboards are a thing of the past.

Again, the only thing recently I can compare it to was my 2002 BA I Futura. That car was always parked on the street in full sun, and I did over 175K in three years. There weren't any cracks on the dash from sun, or anything else.

Perhaps a post on the Euro site asking if they have had the issue might help clarify things. There are some guys there from Israel, Portugal, Turkey and other hot places who have had the cars for longer than us, and also for at least one more summer.

[csv8]

I use Amourall Low Sheen for my dash, doors etc. Amourall Leather Wipes for cleaning leather and every six months give the leather a professional clean. Kits available in furniture stores etc.
I would have thought if Amourall caused plastic to crack it would have been mentioned before now ?. Amourall has been around for years

[LRsedan]

Originally Posted by warren77

LR Sedan

Any suggestions for the leather seats in the XR5? Not sure if normal leather cleaners and conditioners will work on that leather.

Normal leather conditioners should be fine, but may lack a few ingredients especially for cars, like UV inhibitors. This is purely a guess however.

The zaino range is great. Its what I use on my car(s).

Z9 to clean, and Z10 to moisturise and condition the leather.

Available from www.waxit.com.au

It may not exactly be cheap, but Im yet to meet someone who was disappointed by the results. You use it sparingly, so the product lasts a very long time. So in the end, its quite cost effective.

It also smells great, and leaves a nice leather scent in the car.

[apstar]

Yippeeefinally got my dash mat which was made in Feb 09 just sitting there at the moment thanks Bucknaked for the part number that did the trick even though they had a different part #

apstar

[Bucknaked]

Originally Posted by apstar

Yippeeefinally got my dash mat which was made in Feb 09 just sitting there at the moment thanks Bucknaked for the part number that did the trick even though they had a different part #

apstar

Good stuff. Glad to see you finally got one. Happy to help.

[Katoomba]

Originally Posted by apstar

Yippeeefinally got my dash mat which was made in Feb 09 just sitting there at the moment thanks Bucknaked for the part number that did the trick even though they had a different part #

apstar

I misssed Bucknaked's post somewhere along the line. So are these mats available in Oz or did you import it?

[MondeoManiac]

Looks good apstar, now I have dash mat envy!

[Bucknaked]

Originally Posted by Katoomba

I misssed Bucknaked's post somewhere along the line. So are these mats available in Oz or did you import it?

Here is the post from another thread. This should give you the information to go with.

Originally Posted by Bucknaked

I rang my local dealer today and they had 1 dash mat in stock. So I picked it up on the way home. Cost was $65.50.

What I've found is these are quite thin, unlike the sunland mats. But it offers unconditional lifetime guarantee. And it's going to do the job, so it's fine. From memory, this is the same make of mat I had on my SR focus, and I never had an issue with it. Perfect fit and protected the dash well.

If you have no luck with your dealer, try John McGrath Ford Spares in Canberra. Number is (02) 6122 2222. I am sure they can arrange postage to you. If not, try Bayford Spares in Melbourne. I know they ship as I've ordered ford parts from them before.

The mat is made by Shevron, web address http://www.shevron.com.au. Code on the ticket is "DM1068 Coal" For MA Mondeo.

Good luck.

Apstar might be able to add more to the thread.

[apstar]

Originally Posted by Katoomba

I misssed Bucknaked's post somewhere along the line. So are these mats available in Oz or did you import it?

Ring COMMAND AUTO GROUP 97140900 Silverwater Sydney tell them were you live and they will tell you your nearest auto dealer that deals with them insist the part number is DM1068 COAL [if they have an old catalogue it will be wrong] they had 3 in stock when I rang so now unless someone else got one its 2 left

apstar

[XR Martin]

Originally Posted by Dusty1

This might seem like heresy, but I thought that all vinyls now had UV inhibitors in them to stop cracking.

I know the dash on the Mondeo is long and wide, but surely now Ford and other car manufacturers must get onto the suppliers and tell them that they don't want cracks any more. I know my old HT Kingswood had some nasty cracks that could (and did) draw blood on the dash, but surely vinyl technology has increased and cracking dashboards are a thing of the past.

Again, the only thing recently I can compare it to was my 2002 BA I Futura. That car was always parked on the street in full sun, and I did over 175K in three years. There weren't any cracks on the dash from sun, or anything else.

Perhaps a post on the Euro site asking if they have had the issue might help clarify things. There are some guys there from Israel, Portugal, Turkey and other hot places who have had the cars for longer than us, and also for at least one more summer.

Its not just UV, its the constant heating and cooling. Have a feel of your dash in the middle of summer, its got to be 70degrees+. All dashes will crack eventually, if exposed to the same conditions. They should last atleast 10 years though, where the older cars use to crack within a few years.
The only ones that wont crack are the pre-60s steel ones ;)

[apstar]

Originally Posted by XR6 Martin

The only ones that wont crack are the pre-60s steel ones ;)

Like my 1956 FJ Holden that I had

apstar

[Katoomba]

Thanks for the info on the dash mats, folks.

[MondeoManiac]

Just fitted the dash mat to my Mondeo, was in stock at the local AutoPro. I really like that the cut-out for the passenger airbag is almost invisible, wouldn't see it unless I was looking for it!

[apstar]

Originally Posted by MondeoManiac

Just fitted the dash mat to my Mondeo, was in stock at the local AutoPro. I really like that the cut-out for the passenger airbag is almost invisible, wouldn't see it unless I was looking for it!

yeh hinged flap was a great idea simple really when you think of it
:togo:

apstar

[amb2600]

??? I have been selling theses for over 12 months, availiable in black or charcoal, $90 plus $5 fright.

If you need any parts, genuine or after market , sent an e-mail.

Cheers
mk1developments@bigpond.com

[NZ XR6]

Originally Posted by amb2600

??? I have been selling theses for over 12 months, availiable in black or charcoal, $90 plus $5 fright.
mk1developments@bigpond.com

A $5 fright? Doesn't sound very exciting - how much for Really Scary?

(Sorry)

[apstar]

Originally Posted by amb2600

??? I have been selling theses for over 12 months, availiable in black or charcoal, $90 plus $5 fright.

If you need any parts, genuine or after market , sent an e-mail.

Cheers
mk1developments@bigpond.com

Not at that price I paid $60!!

apstar

[scribbly]

Apstar, that can be fixed. $60 + $35 freight!