The Ultimate Guide to Interior Dressing and UV Protection

Never apply dressing to a hot surface. Move the vehicle into a shaded, well-ventilated area and allow the interior temperature to drop below 30°C. High surface heat causes the carriers in dressings to evaporate too quickly, leading to uneven 'splotchy' finishes and poor absorption.

Use compressed air or a soft vacuum brush attachment to remove loose particulates, especially red dust and sand. Focus on the 'inflection points' where the dashboard meets the windscreen. If you apply liquid cleaner over heavy dust, you create an abrasive mud that can scratch sensitive clear plastics.

Spray your pH-neutral interior cleaner onto a microfibre towel (not the dash) and wipe all surfaces. For textured plastics, use a detailing brush in circular motions to lift embedded skin oils and sweat. This creates a 'naked' surface, ensuring the dressing can bond directly to the substrate.

Wipe the surfaces a second time with a clean microfibre towel lightly dampened with distilled water. This removes any surfactants left behind by the cleaner. A common mistake is dressing over dried soap, which leads to premature peeling and a 'cloudy' appearance.

Apply 3-4 pea-sized drops of dressing onto a microfibre applicator pad. Prime the pad by massaging the product into the fibres. Never spray dressing directly onto the dashboard, as 'overspray' can land on the windscreen, creating greasy streaks that are difficult to remove.

Work in small 40cm x 40cm sections. Start with the uppermost part of the dashboard and work downwards. This ensures that if any product drips, it falls onto un-dressed areas. Use overlapping circular motions to ensure the dressing enters the 'valleys' of the plastic grain.

For air vents and tight gaps around the infotainment screen, spray a small amount of dressing onto a clean detailing brush. 'Paint' the dressing into the slats. This provides UV protection to the fragile plastic louvres that often become brittle and snap in high heat.

Allow the dressing to sit undisturbed for 3 to 5 minutes. During this time, the emulsifiers carry the UV blockers into the pores of the material. In high humidity coastal areas, extend this to 8 minutes to ensure the water carrier has sufficiently evaporated.

Using a clean, dry, short-pile microfibre towel, lightly buff the entire treated area. This step is crucial; it removes excess product that hasn't absorbed, leaving behind a consistent, non-greasy 'factory' matte or satin finish. If the surface feels oily, buff again with a fresh side of the towel.

Apply dressing very sparingly to the steering wheel hub and stalks, but avoid the actual grip area and gear shifter unless using a specific non-slip product. Safety is paramount; a slippery steering wheel is a significant hazard.

Apply the remaining product on your applicator to the rubber door seals (weatherstripping). This keeps the rubber supple, preventing it from sticking to the frame in 40°C heat and ensuring a tight seal against dust and rain.

If the plastic appears 'thirsty' or uneven after the first pass (common on older vehicles), wait 20 minutes and apply a second thin layer. This builds up the UV protection layer on surfaces that have already suffered significant outgassing.

Check the interior glass for any accidental dressing transfer. Use a dedicated glass cleaner and two towels (one to scrub, one to buff) to ensure the windscreen is optically clear. Dressing outgassing onto glass is a primary cause of 'night glare'.

Use a bright LED torch or sunlight to inspect the dash from the outside through the windscreen. Look for high spots or streaks. The finish should be uniform with no visible transition lines between sections.