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I was convinced that our 66 SDL had a rusty water leak of some kind as the left dash vinyl was stained. However, not the case as it is very good in there, through the grommet for the rear loom behind the wipers looks as if it came out during manufacture!!! Never been apart before I reckon.


Anyway, now its out I think it is nicotine as the family who were the first owners smoked I gather. Sooooo, do I clean or keep the patina??? And if I tried to clean, what would work the safest???

I also couldn't help but notice how little paint was on the underside of the dash rail!!!

Looks like the glue has come thru the vinyl on the dash cards, surely nicotine wouldn't be so concentrated?

That does not look like nicotine staining, surely the whole panel would have discoloured.

Nicotine usually comes of with a bit of mild soapy (washing up liquid) water. If the vinyl is discoloured you could try a bit of diluted lemon juice or diluted white vinegar.

Sugar soap is always our weapon of choice on vinyl etc …

beardylonodn wrote: ↑Sat May 28, 2022 1:44 pm Looks like the glue has come thru the vinyl on the dash cards, surely nicotine wouldn't be so concentrated?

Took a rear view to show how it looks on the other side, could well be the glue??

That looks more like scorching to me. Doubt you’ll get it out without damaging the vinyl, and if it is sun/heat damage it will have dried out the plasticizers and could crack. Maybe get a matching colour of vinyl/plastic trim paint to cover over it instead ?

iain1967s wrote: ↑Mon May 30, 2022 2:36 am That looks more like scorching to me. Doubt you’ll get it out without damaging the vinyl, and if it is sun/heat damage it will have dried out the plasticizers and could crack. Maybe get a matching colour of vinyl/plastic trim paint to cover over it instead ?

Think you are right Iain, sugar soaping has revealed cleaner patches where I am guessing someone has tried before in situ. Our 64SDL had a vinylkote freshen up in 91 and it still looks lovely, so now I need to find the colour to match, without going over the top and loosing this lovely original car's patina.

A mild mix of warm water and gentle dish soap applied with a soft cloth can work wonders without damaging the vinyl. For stubborn spots, a little vinegar mixed with water is a good option—just test a small hidden area first to ensure no discoloration.

As for preserving that dash's character, it’s really a personal choice. Some enthusiasts love keeping things as authentic as possible, while others prefer a fresh, clean look. By the way, if you're looking for ways to keep the air fresh and free of new stains, switching to something like the VIHO Supercharge instead of smoking could help avoid future buildup while keeping things stylish.

Good to see you have steel toe caps on. Safety first in the workshop. Te he