This is my first full leather dash. I was researching what's the best conditioner for the dash and I've actually found people saying Porsche says don't condition the dash because it's chemically treated. They reccomend just a lightly damp cloth. See below. Thoughts?

The leather Porsche uses on the dash contains almost no moisture - it is specifically dried so there will be less "movement" as it goes through the big temperature changes that can occur on the dash. Introducing moisture back into the leather by using a conditioner will cause the leather to "move" with temperature changes and possibly break loose from the surface it is glued to. Here's what Porsche has to say about the leather used on the dash...

"All leather is not the same. We work with classic upholstery leather, but we also work with low-shrinkage leather. The instrument paneling, for example, can get extremely hot in summer. If the material starting tightening, what would that look like after a while? So we're talking about leather whose residual moisture has been largly removed, which means that it won't be able to shrink later." (Christophorus, No. 276 January 1999)

 

I use aero 303 on all interior panels regardless of their materials. Leather seats typically get AutoGlym leather conditioners

I could be doing it all wrong. But so far this has worked for me. The 303 probably keeps dashboard away from discoloring etc. from UV?

That said, after experiences with different interiors, I have realized rubber dashboard works best for me. Hence I just kept the standard interior for the GT4

 

i still think the leather should have UV protection as offered by 303 or similar protectants

one thing is shrinkage or movement, but extended exposure to hot sun will take its toll over time for sure imo

 

I was absolutely planning on it because my brain says "condition and UV protect the dash". I typically use Lexol on my leather seats but the posts I found made me think to ask if others have heard "don't treat"

 

I thought the glass provides UV protection? If not, then any tint will. I have Llumar Air 90 on the windshield partly to protect the leather dash and also because of Texas summers and then Llumar F1 Pinnacle Ceramic on the side and rear glass. I think I'm covered from a UV standpoint.

 

Is used Zaino Z10 on my leather. Aerospace on plastic and vinyl. And a $10 sunshade from Walmart. Folds into a circle that stowes under the driver's seat.

 

I tend to use a sunshade as well. Makes a huge difference.

 

Glasses do remove UV to a degree. However, it doesn't remove it 100 percent. Sunshade helps a lot when car is parked, but doesn't help when car is in motion. Anyway, it's a small step to do considering how much money and effort it takes to replace a dashboard. Put it this way, I have bought a used car with dashboard that bubbled and discolored pretty badly even with genuine 13000miles. So I would rather (try to) do things to prevent that ...

 

I have leather on the dash of my Spyder and I have been conditioning it regularly since new. Having said that I only treat once every few months and I only use a very light amount of leatherique prestine clean for conditioning. Too much conditioner can definitely cause the glue to let go and allow the leather to move. I also wipe with a very lightly dampened microfiber every couple of weeks to keep the dust off. My dash still looks new and no signs of shrinking or movement.

 

Most important thing with leather is to keep it clean. The cleaner I use leaves behind some UV protection. 3-4 times I year I use Leather Master's protection cream. Frequent conditioning really isn't necessary and some of the more rich conditioners can even darken the leather unnaturally over time when overly used.

 

This^ +1