Plastic & Vinyl Protectants

Plastic and vinyl protectants put the finish back on clean dashboards, door cards and trim and help stop sun fading. The range runs from dressings and wipes by 303, Dunking Biscuit and Koch-Chemie to longer-lasting trim coatings from CarPro, 303, Mothers and Infinity Wax.

How to choose

• Inside or outside: 303 Automotive Protectant is labelled for both; CarPro CQuartz DLUX (plastics and wheels) and Sonax XTREME Spray+Seal (paint and trim) are exterior products, so keep them off the dashboard.
• Finish: a matt product such as Shiny Garage Interior Plastic Protectant Matt suits dashboards; gloss reflects in the windscreen and shows dust.
• Dressing or coating: a dressing wipes on in minutes and is topped up at each clean; a coating needs a clean, dry surface and curing time but is made to last longer.
• Silicone-free: Koch-Chemie Plast Star suits a car that is about to be polished, coated or painted, where silicone residue causes defects.

Good to know

• Clean first with Interior Cleaners: a protectant over dust and grease looks patchy and wears off fast.
• Keep dressings off pedals, the steering wheel and gear knob: a slippery grip is a safety risk.

How can I protect the plastic inside my car?

Clean it first, then wipe on a protectant or dressing to put the finish back and help stop sun fading. A matt one suits the dashboard, a coating lasts longer than a dressing, and nothing slippery goes on the pedals, steering wheel or gear knob.

Related: Leather, Plastic & Trim, Interior Dressings, Trim Dressings, Trim Restoration. Popular brands here: 303, CarPro, Infinity Wax, Koch-Chemie.