Shhhhh - everyone will want one if you talk too loud! Or maybe RS embroidered on it - those would sell like hot cakes in here!!

 

I just want to get Specboy and Wanderer so pissed off that they need an emergency diaper change from their mommies. Strange that it takes something like dash mats to do that. Oh well, if it isn't dash mats, it'll be something else.

If you don't like dash mats, don't buy them. But don't put down people who do like them. I don't like lowered Fits. But I don't insult the people who do like them.

 

What happen when air bags deploy under dash mats?

 

Oh, then that becomes a REAL disaster! The dash mat gets stuffed right down the passenger's throat and they die. The driver is OK though, see, the dash mat does not cover the steering wheel where the air bag lives.

But seriously folks, like they say on TV. The dash mat covers the passenger air bag like a trap door with a separate flap. Unlike some people, dash mat makers are not stupid and don't make problems for themselves or their customers.

 

I would be more concern about the owners who put in Clazzio's...and their affect on the SRS side airbags...

 

Why they are designed to tear. We have all seen the videos. Your the only one concerned.

 

LOL, this is too funny. Hey Pot... Kettle's around the corner. No one's putting anyone down here other than you. implications from previous posts that you finally found someone who was intelligent (referring to the one poster who purchased a dash mat) and in return, implying the rest of us are not.

No dash mat's going to upset me. Ignorance bothers me however.

~SB

 

Given my Hawaiian print coverking seat covers, I'm certainly not in a position of authority to knock someone else's choice. That said, I find dash mats to be hideous, and a pair of polarized lenses to be the better alternative. That and regular dusting of the dash area.

 

oh please, do not put that ugly dash mat! wipe the dust off evey 3days with a damp microfiber cloth. glare? buy a polarized Oakley Juliet. jeez...

 

I'm weighing this whole thing $450 sunglasses vs $30 dash mat and the dash mat just keeps winning!!!

 

I have been staying away from this thread simply because it really is a matter of taste if you want this thing or not!

But after some thought I have come to the following conclusion.

There are two basic reasons why I would not buy a dash mat.

One is that it is ugly to me. (This is a personal opinion and should mean nothing to you)

Two: Cleanliness. There is no way that I could live with a dirty, dusty, mat in front of me. You cannot tell me that you can keep this thing clean for any length of time. Can you throw this thing in the wash? Will it shrink or fade with subsequent washes? How hygienic are these things? How much heat does this thing retain in the dead of summer? IMO these are legitimate questions.

The reason I use rubber mats all year long is that carpet mats stink up your car after six months no matter how much you vacuum or shampoo them. They are disease traps.

I use a fitted black sheet (size=double) to cover my seats and cargo area because a rug never really gets clean.

I do not like a shinny dash at all. I use a Megs product that is mat in finish and it smells nice as well.

 

Polarized Sunglasses (cheap)
Polarized Sunglasses all under $20 | SunglassWarehouse.com[Gender][]=57

Use your protectant of choice (for now I'm still going with Armor-all, I like the shiny damp wet look)

Tint below Mfg line - Illegal
Blue or Red lights in cabin - Illegal in most states
ANY under-lighting - illegal in NC (sux cause I'd totally go for it)
Tinted headlights and tail -lights - illegal in NC (per NC DOT inspection regulations)

 

Polarized sunglasses don't prevent my dash from becoming hot enough to literally cook on in the direct sunlight for about 6 months a year here in Arizona, which causes the plastic to warp and crack. You guys still aren't getting why some people Need to protect their dash with a little bit more than spray on protectant. The heat warps the plastic causing the dash to crack - seen it in 2 of my own vehicles and numerous other friends & families vehicles here in Arizona.

I don't want to take that risk, so will be covering up the dash and hope that the Coverking mat at least looks respectable.

 

Shinny dashes...

Man I wanted to stay away from this thread....

Think of your dash as your skin for a second. The reason sun tanning oil is shinny is that it accentuates the sun beams. In multiplies the effect of sun beams on your skin.

UV rays are bad for your skin and they are bad for your plastic parts. Using a shinny material will degrade your plastic bits faster than if you didn't use any at all.

You can use a nice mat finish product of your choice that is a good compromise between looks and extends the life of your plastic parts.

Do you want your dash to show degradation after one year and cracking after 3 years?

Normally tire shine is ok to use in my opinion simply because we do not keep the tires longer than two seasons. IF you keep your tires for more than two seasons.....well then use a blackening agent on your tires and stay away from the shinny ones!

 

Who buys $450 sunglasses? I'm using the same pair of Polarized glasses I got 4 years ago at a local Pharmacy for $12 and they work great. My previous pair was about $8 and they lasted almost 10 years... before I dropped them in the middle of the road and someone ran over them...

Shiny doesn't necessarily make for more damage potential. suntan oil is designed to do what you said, but my SPF 70 (Which I used last week in Arizona) was also shiny and after a day out in the sun working on a fence, I'm still as white as a ghost. Also, almost none of the UV Rays will make it to the dash. Heat seems to be the issue here.

If intense heat on the dash is the issue due to constant beating of sun, I'd go with a sunshade instead of the dash mat as it'll reflect the light and keep it all out of the car keeping the whole car cooler. Even a Gray Dash Mat will get Hotter in the AZ sun and heat up the inside of a car than a decent sun shade (given that you turn the Silver side out and leave the black side facing in... which I have been known to do a few times ). When you are driving it shouldn't be that big of a deal as the A/C is usually on in areas like Tempe/Phoenix (unless you are one of those crazy people driving around with their windows down at 116F)

~SB

 

My point exactly - the kind person suggesting I buy sunglasses linked to a $450 pair! Quite happy with my $80 Rayban Polarized myself - but that still doesn't actually protect my dash from the insane AZ sun.

 

Geesh what a thread.

Of course do what you want to do. Do what you think best for your automobile. This might vary from state to state, enviroment to enviroment.

In cloudy, mostly rainy Oregon, I can easily (and happily) avoid a Dash Mat. Which I "Personally" feel looks horrible.

I use spray protectants....and a windshield heat shield during the hottest, sunniest parts of the summer. Never had a problem with a cracked dash.

If you live in a more "Vulcanious" enviroment? If you have experience with your dash cracking? If you feel you need the level of Dash protection a carpeted mat provides. More power to ya!

In my environment? I think the best choice is a protected clean dash, and use of a windshield heat shield. And yes...on sunny days, I also use sunglasses.

Oddly...I've tried many, but the sunglasses I like best? Are the near cheapest, As Seen On T.V. yellow lenses....I think these come in at less than $10.00, I've even seen them once at The Dollar Tree.

Sure I look horrific in them...but at least my dash looks good.

 

I am starting to find it quite funny in this thread that people will spend thousands of dollars modding their rides and avoiding dash mats, yet wear $6 - $12 sunglasses! lol. I guess that means more money for mods!

 

I am also having a hard time deciding which mat is best, check my out my thread if you want. I didn't know this thread was going when I made mine! My bad. https://www.fitfreak.net/forums/2nd-...ml#post1126770

 

The coverking is here waiting to install, wasn't high on my list of priorities this weekend as I was also out car shopping for a replacement vehicle myself. The Fit being my wifes vehicle.

I took it out of the box and it looks well made. As long as it molds to the shape of the dash correctly and the cut outs are in the right places for the Speakers and the fit is good, then I think it will look better than the haters in this thread will be willing to admit!

I will post some pics once it's in. Wife is at work until 9 today tho, so it's not getting installed today.