Looking for recomendation on dash cover to prevent sun damage on non cracked dash

[maxg765]

Hello,

I am lucky thus far to have an E24 without a cracked dash. I'd like to keep it that way. I'm looking for a cover that will protect it from the elements, particularly sun damage as I now live in South Florida. I'd like something that is nicely fitted to the E24 and not a generic towel or carpet. My dash is back in color. While I'd like to keep it black I am open to lighter colors in an effort to repel more sun light and heat but, at the same time a reflective material will also hinder visibility. Are there better more modern breathable materials than the old school custom cut carpets? I don't want to cause more damage by trapping heat either. I wouldn't mind a proper rear deck cover as well.

What you got and where can I get it?

Thank you all in advance.

Max

[Layne]

A dash cover will absolutely trap heat and crack your dash. Don't do it! Carry a white towel to throw on when you park quickly, and a full car cover if you're going to park longer.

[rlkrlk]

Also 3M makes nice UV blocking window films (some are almost clear), to minimize cabin heat.

Cheers,

Ray

[bkats]

A dash cover will absolutely trap heat and crack your dash. Don't do it! Carry a white towel to throw on when you park quickly, and a full car cover if you're going to park longer.

The dash would heat from the top down if it's from the sun. The only way it could trap heat is if the car's cabin temperature was cooler than the dash and the cover was acting as an insulator. But, if the cover was on, the only way the dash gets hot is if the entire cabin was the same temperature. In which case, the cover doesn't do anything for heat, but still blocks the sun. The cover acts as an insulator in both directions: it slows the heat-up from direct sunlight, and slows the cool-down when the cabin starts to get cooler. It seems like a wash at best, but it's not because: it protects from direct sun damage, and it slows the rate of expansion and contraction in both directions. These are both pluses, as far as cracking goes.

I have a black dash cover from BavAuto that is "suede-look" but is actually foam. No carpet. It fits reasonably well, but it's made to use little velcro strips for a tight "fitted" look.

I have a rear deck cover, as well. It's carpet and came with the car. My advice is to get one that matches the seat/deck color.

Something that will benefit your entire interior (i.e. your steering wheel) is a sunshade. You can go expensive with the hard-board, custom-cut ones. But, even the $15 reflective autozone specials make more of a difference than any cover. I use both unless I'm just going to be parked for a little bit.

[Layne]

Anyone who's ever driven a car knows that the steering wheel temperature far exceeds the air temp inside the cabin after parking in the sun. Radiant heat goes straight through air, even cold air, and heats any surface it hits. This heat is then trapped by the dash cover.

Film on the windshield is a good idea IF you don't have to stick registration stickers to it. It's also technically illegal in most states. They make some that transmit all visible light, but block UV.

[tom2941]

I have a sun shade from bav auto and it works very well.

[bkats]

Anyone who's ever driven a car knows that the steering wheel temperature far exceeds the air temp inside the cabin after parking in the sun. Radiant heat goes straight through air, even cold air, and heats any surface it hits. This heat is then trapped by the dash cover.

Film on the windshield is a good idea IF you don't have to stick registration stickers to it. It's also technically illegal in most states. They make some that transmit all visible light, but block UV.

That is flat-out incorrect .

First, radiant heat has to heat up the air first. It radiates through the medium.

The steering wheel is hotter because of light energy hitting the steering wheel and turning into heat energy. And probably the increased thermal capacity of the wheel. Maybe that's what you meant. Light goes through cold air. Heat energy absolutely cannot.

Second, how does a dash cover trap heat in a steering wheel? Ever cover your steering wheel with a towel? Or a sunshade? Does it still far exceed the cabin temp?

Third, the dash cover cannot trap heat if the reason for the heating is light. The light hits the cover and heats it. Very little I might add since it's mostly fibers and air. This heat is transferred to the cabin air, and if the thermal capacity is reached, then it may radiate some heat to the dash below. Again, very little since there is a lot of air between by virtue of the gaps in the fibets. Because of this, the dash can't really get any hotter than the cabin, since the air will now be the primary source of heat. Consequently, the dash cover can never trap heat unless the cabin is cooling. In which case, it might be beneficial to slow the contraction process anyways. Moreover, since the cabin air temp will be the same as/the source of dash temp (minor heat transfer from cover to dash aside), reducing the cabin air temperature would be the next step (i. E. Sunshades).

Dash covers work for the following reasons :

Air is an insulator which is hard to heat and cool.
Fabric /carpet /foam are mostly air, and thus good insulators. This is why you can grab hot and cold things with these materials. This is why a black cotton shirt left in your car isn't as hot as your steering wheel.
The primary source of cabin heat in a parked car is the conversion of light to heat when it hits interior surfaces.
The dash cover gives the light something to hit other than the dash.
The fibers heat up. However, the cover is essentially a pocket of air, which the now heated cover fibers must transfer their heat energy to.
Air, being the good insulator it is, will take a long time to do this.
All the while the top fibers of the cover are transferring heat to your cabin air instead of your dash.
When the air in the cover reaches its heat capacity, it will begin to transfer heat downward into the dash.
This will be limited because this heat is either radiating through the air between or conducting through limited surface area (fibers).
However, by this time, the cabin is probably quite warm and the remaining, uncovered dash surfaces have been or are absorbing heat energy from the cabin air.

Now, if there are other sources of heating for the dash, like conduction from parts it's attached to. Then there may be some heat trapping by the cover, but I can't recall my dash being hot/warm after being parked at night.

[Layne]

Too long, didn't read. Let me try a different approach: I have real world experience with dash covers rapidly increasing the instance of cracks occurring after being installed on a dash. Take it or leave it.

[bkats]

Too long, didn't read. Let me try a different approach: I have real world experience with dash covers rapidly increasing the instance of cracks occurring after being installed on a dash. Take it or leave it.

Nice. Should have said that the first time, so we all know it's an anecdotal experience (though extensive, by the sounds of it) that you allege is the dash cover; instead of making up some bullshit reasoning that counters thermodynamics.

[Flash635]

The best solution is one of those reflective windscreen covers.
They block a lot of heat too. I use mine all the time and it makes a huge difference.

Even with the reflective cover I highly recommend Aerospace 303 Protectant.

The locally made Falcons from the 90's are known for how badly the dash switches and console deteriorate under the Australian sun, except for mine which was treated with 303.

My e28 didn't crack a dash but the dash vents did warp under the heat.

[Calplumber]

BKats - you're a long-winded wannabe know-it-all engineer without a degree. Take a break and rest your neck.
Anyone know of a good e24 dash resto thread?

[bkats]

BKats - you're a long-winded wannabe know-it-all engineer without a degree. Take a break and rest your neck.
Anyone know of a good e24 dash resto thread?

Actually, I have an engineering degree. You are quite a presumptuous asshole. See? I can call people things too.

BTW, use the advanced search for dash repairs. There's not a main thread, but a lot of little discussions. The type and objective of the repairs vary, so you'll have to read through a few to find what you want.

Edit:

OR you could start a thread and collect some of those posts as links and/or give the forum members a place to post their experiences /techniques. You know, contribute. Probably preferable to jumping on a thread, calling someone names and pulling the thread OT because you want to restore a dash.

[dwal95008]

My 85 has some small cracks and I bought a black bavauto one that Bkats has described. My car sits front facing the sun day after day and none of the cracks have grown in the last two years. Maybe my anecdotal experience is worthless but the facts are the facts. I have since bought a reflective shield and now it never even comes to mind.

[Calplumber]

Bkats, bgone! Bdogs sick 'em!
I'm eternally grateful for your profound wisdom and engimoaning logic. Peas.
Off to start a new thread!

[bkats]

My 85 has some small cracks and I bought a black bavauto one that Bkats has described. My car sits front facing the sun day after day and none of the cracks have grown in the last two years. Maybe my anecdotal experience is worthless but the facts are the facts. I have since bought a reflective shield and now it never even comes to mind.

Anecdote is helpful. That's how we find out if a problem is common to the model and what works to fix it, regardless if we know/care why.

[bkats]

Bkats, bgone! Bdogs sick 'em!
I'm eternally grateful for your profound wisdom and engimoaning logic. Peas.
Off to start a new thread!

This dude is weird...

[Derekwh]

My 85 has some small cracks and I bought a black bavauto one that Bkats has described. My car sits front facing the sun day after day and none of the cracks have grown in the last two years. Maybe my anecdotal experience is worthless but the facts are the facts. I have since bought a reflective shield and now it never even comes to mind.

What is the fit like of BavAuto's cap? How do they handle the "pockets" on the passenger side?

[bkats]

The pockets are depressed. They are sewn in as a separate piece quite neatly.

Overall the one I have is a little small, maybe 1/4" at most. But, I am pretty sure that it's meant to be used with the provided velcro and stretched a bit for a tight fit. I don't use the velcro and it makes removing my sunshade a pain.

[dwal95008]

What is the fit like of BavAuto's cap? How do they handle the "pockets" on the passenger side?


It fits well. I do use the velcro. In fact I cut the pieces they provide in half to hold the cover down in twice as many places. I took my time to make sure it fit snug and it looks really good. It does fit the shape of the depressed part of the dash but I never put anything there to notice even if it didn't.

[CaifanSC]

Even with the reflective cover I highly recommend Aerospace 303 Protectant.



Totally agree...in addition to whatever other method you decide dash cover or tint (I personally use a sun shade)...the key is leather care. You have to keep the leather supple and hydrated. Use good quality cleaners, moisturizers, protector (sounds like a beauty commercial but its true). Then, top it off with Aerospace 303. You got to do it frequently too. My staple products for interior clean:

http://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f226/Caifanito/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-10-18-1136_zpse4c36959.jpg (http://s48.photobucket.com/user/Caifanito/media/Mobile%20Uploads/2014-10-18-1136_zpse4c36959.jpg.html)