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How do you fix and clean a sticky dashboard?
What’s the best way to get sticky residue off your dashboard? My family and I went on a road trip. I was cleaning out the car when we got home, and I noticed my dashboard is super sticky. I tried to wipe off whatever it is with a wet paper towel, but it’s still not clean.
Joshua Levy · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
“That sticky residue on your dashboard can result from leaving items on it in the sun, peeling vinyl, or even heat! Your best course of action is to clean it thoroughly.
Here’s what to do:
- Wipe off larger particles. Dust off any noticeable bits of dust or food before getting started.
- Make a solution of water and foam cleaner. Dip a soft cloth into the mixture and squeeze out any excess until it’s damp. A cloth that’s too wet could drip and damage electronics around the dashboard.
- Wipe down the surface. This may take a few rounds and some elbow grease, but keep wiping until the dashboard is no longer sticky.
- Let it dry. If yours is an extreme case and there are still sticky clumps on your dashboard, feel free to carefully chip them away with a plastic scraper.
- Spray with vinyl upholstery cleaner. Use a scrub brush to really work it into the vinyl, then let it dry.
- Protect dashboard with water-based vinyl protectant. Be sure to use a vinyl protectant and not a silicon sealer, as the latter could make your problems worse.
Altogether, a sticky dashboard isn’t the biggest deal. But keeping your vehicle clean can save you from bigger problems like faded colors and chipping paint. While it probably won’t interrupt your driving, scratches, chips, and faded paint can cost hundreds of dollars to repair.
Your insurance probably won’t cover deteriorating paint. But it may kick in if your damages were caused by another driver or a natural phenomenon—so long as you have
comprehensive coverage
.To make sure you’re getting the best deal on the insurance you need, try
Jerry
. The Jerry app can collect quotes from up to 50 top insurance companies in seconds! It’ll even help you cancel your old policy if you choose a new one.”View full answer
- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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