So I just dropped $$$ on a set of new dash pieces from Atkins. The cluster surround, hood, hvac, and armrest parts and I NEED to know. What is the absolute best/safest thing to use on these plastics to save the finish?

I want to hear educated opinions or fact based reasons for what materials. The car has low miles and a mint interior and I'd like to know what to use to keep it all shiny and hydrated.

For reference it's the 1993 finish with the smooth plastic pieces.

Thanks!

 

The newer plastics don't have the coating that peels off like the original 1993 parts did. So you don't have to worry about that long term.

Just whatever interior cleaner/protectant you like. There's a zillion on the market.

Dale

 

Thanks Dale, I was worried that since they're OEM parts they would have that same finish, it does have a nice smooth/soft texture to it that had me worried as it was similar to the old stuff that was in the car. I'll use my standard interior cleaning and detailing stuff then!

 

Hey Dale - would you happen to know if the newer production '93 finish OEM panels are still plagued with the same issue? I've admittedly had problems with custom Carbon Fiber veneers that were applied to my 93 panels, and not sure if I'll be subject to the same if I use new panels as bases...

 

I would just dust them with a swiffer duster, or at the most, wipe them with a microfiber towel that has been wet with distilled water. There should be no reason at all to wipe them with any chemical.

 

I haven't had a lot of hands-on with the newer '93 panels, I'm not sure of how that coating is on there. I haven't seen any cases of them scratching or peeling like the stock plastics.

The '94+ panels are textured and have no coating so it's really not an issue there.

Dale

 

I don't think there's any kind of extra coating on the "new '93" style plastics, beyond something akin to a painted finish coat (like a SEM paint). According to my car's PO, the instrument hood in my car was replaced a month or so before I bought it. Finish on that piece is nearly an exact match in terms of texture, reflectivity and color to the SEM paint I used to refinish the HVAC panel & shifter tunnel trim pieces. My guess is Mazda just paints them, or perhaps that satin finish is the natural plastic finish as molded.

 

Can you send me a link or add it to this thread what SEM product you used? I might be inclined to redo my driver side door panels to match since I'm home for the foreseeable future. Thanks!

 

Sure, the SEM product I used is called SEM Trim Black, #39143. If you google "SEM 39143" you'll find a bunch of online vendors including Amazon. I ended up getting mine from R&E Paint Supply, as they just had the best deal including shipping at the time.