"Softening" Old Door Panels

[Greg L.]

I was wondering if there is a product and procedure to soften/recondition original vinyl such as the dash pad and door panels? Mine are still the originals and quite nice so I would like to keep them that way as long as possible. I've read on other sites that you can't rejuvenate old vinyl but others say Goop hand cleaner or mineral oil might work.

Has anyone here had any luck in bringing back the original pliability to 50 year old vinyl?

Thanks.

[Domenic T.]

Re: "Softening" Old Door Panels

Greg,
I'll get beat up on this reply, but I used Armour All when it first came out and it seemed to do good. I understand that silicone is what it wants? Don't think much will work, but I did wipe my dash pads on my 67 with Armour All and it soaked it up so I kept doing it but it seemed to just drink it.
I liked Pledge to keep things clean, soft and with a shine. Actually had it approved for plexiglass on jet aircraft. One said it would penetrate the windows!! Can't do it on cars but I used heat and Armour all on a small piece and the heat made the vinyl soft and it seemed to soak in the stuff. As I understand it's the heat that is the problem in the first place but it seemed to work. Like to see if someone has the solution.

Dom

[Mark E.]

Re: "Softening" Old Door Panels

I don't know if any products soften or improve elasticity of PVC. But UV light (sunlight), temperature variation, dirt, abraision, and pressure are what damages this material.

So ideally, keep it away from sunlight, avoid intense heat and cold, keep it clean with a mild soap, and otherwise don't touch anything.

This means keeping your hands, arms and elbows to yourself while driving, and certainly don't use any part of the door panel or console as an assist to enter/exit the car. I've seen owners complain about the armrest cracking, then notice them driving with their elbow buried in it. So be aware how you wear the interior.

Clean gently. I once damaged the part of the dash that's perforated for the speaker by pressing too hard while cleaning. It was brittle to begin with from sun damage, so it didn't take much for it to crack.

Some products like 303 and Meguiars claim UV protection, so those may help for a driver.

Here's an interesting link: https://pslc.ws/macrog/work/dash.htm

[Edward B.]

Re: "Softening" Old Door Panels

I was wondering if there is a product and procedure to soften/recondition original vinyl such as the dash pad and door panels?
Has anyone here had any luck in bringing back the original pliability to 50 year old vinyl?

No, to both questions.

[David H.]

Re: "Softening" Old Door Panels

I was wondering if there is a product and procedure to soften/recondition original vinyl such as the dash pad and door panels? Mine are still the originals and quite nice so I would like to keep them that way as long as possible. I've read on other sites that you can't rejuvenate old vinyl but others say Goop hand cleaner or mineral oil might work.

Has anyone here had any luck in bringing back the original pliability to 50 year old vinyl?

Thanks.

Greg,

Consider Malco "Leather & Plastic CLEANER" (part no 100116), followed by Malco "PB2" protectant (part no 104322).

Dave

[Norm B.]

Re: "Softening" Old Door Panels

Hi Greg. Long time no talk. The only thing I might suggest is 303 Aerospace Protectant. I used it on the vinyl top of our '97 Miata just after we picked it up and it rejuvenated it back to black from that grey look that convertible tops seem to acquire. I really can't comment on whether or not it actually softened the material as well though. I use it on vinyl dashboards as it is proclaimed to have been originally developed as a UV protectant. It's relatively difficult to source in Canada, the only retailer I could find in Ontario was Mountain Equipment Co-op but here is a link to the company advertised as the Canadian Distributor. https://www.eshine.ca/collections/30...w-sprayer-16oz The stuff isn't cheap but so far I am pleased with it.

Norm

[Greg L.]

Re: "Softening" Old Door Panels

Well thanks guys. I was hoping that there would be some way to turn back the time on old vinyl but maybe not. I know lacquer thinner seems to soften it somewhat but I would be afraid that it might do irreparable damage before it could be protected. Has anyone ever tried thinner?

Nice to hear from you Norm. Are you still taking your trips down to Carlisle? I haven't been down for a couple years now but I do plan on going next year for the 69's 50th!

[Norm B.]

Re: "Softening" Old Door Panels

Yup, still going to Carlisle, probably getting close to 30 years now. It's still our traditional "Father/Daughter" bonding weekend. She now has her own '03 Z06 so our interests when there have kind of expanded.

[David H.]

Re: "Softening" Old Door Panels

... I was hoping that there would be some way to turn back the time on old vinyl but maybe not. ...

Greg

Malco products referenced earlier do work pretty well. Certainly try them before the "lacquer thinner" solution.

Dave

[Greg L.]

Re: "Softening" Old Door Panels

Dave, I'll keep an eye out for the Malco cleaner and the protector.

Norm, Just wondering if your old e-mail has changed? I sent you one with a pic of the Z06 my wife and I picked up last summer and was wondering if you got it.

[Norm B.]

Re: "Softening" Old Door Panels

Greg, PM sent.

[Gene M.]