Dashboard / Windshield Glare

rkkoul · 16th March 2007, 21:23

I have a Ford Ikon. When I drive it in a direction, when sun is shining into me (not behind me), the front dashboard shines so much that the reflections appear in the front windshield. That prevents me from seeing vehicles in front of me. Thanks to cycle-wallas and pedestrians that go criss-cross all the time; they make my life tougher. Does anybody know how to solve the issue? Possibly, if the dashboard has a less shiny surface, the problem won't happen. But I don't know how to reduce the shini-ness of the dashboard - except covering it with some cloth that absorbs the light rather than reflecting. Any better way?

RK

navdeep · 17th March 2007, 10:45

yes even I would like to know if there is any better solution.

harishsegar · 17th March 2007, 11:07

I had faced the same problem.. beige dashboard.. and bright sun.

I just wear a polaroid glass now... end of problem.

rkkoul · 17th March 2007, 11:46

I have asked the servicing guy to find an innovative solution to fix the glare issue. If he fixes it, I will let you know. He says he will try with some kind of polish, which will reduce the reflective-ness of the dashboard.

RK

mail4ajo · 17th March 2007, 13:59

The best solution is "not to use dashboard polish" at all. I had this issue and rectified it by not polishing the dashboard at all. I instruct the service people not to. However you can polish it when it starts fading.

rishibravo · 18th March 2007, 15:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by rkkoul

I have asked the servicing guy to find an innovative solution to fix the glare issue. If he fixes it, I will let you know. He says he will try with some kind of polish, which will reduce the reflective-ness of the dashboard.

RK

I think polish is the culprit. I face this problem everytime my palio comes from service. Then I just spend a good 15-20 mins getting rid of that shiny polish from my dash and the problem is solved. But, some cars have a shiny finish on the dash . The cheapest solution is get a cloth matching your dash colour, cut it to required size and simply place it on the dash (just drivers side is enough i guess) or stick it to the dash using a few pieces of double ended tape....

normally_crazy · 18th March 2007, 19:59

Hi there,

Do you use any sun film on the front windscreen ? If yes then this problem will be a major issue. If not , the Ikon has a dashboard thats made of quite shiny material . It does dull with time though.

And yes , as advised by the rest do not use polish on the dashboard as it just adds to the shine.

mithun · 21st March 2007, 05:45

Yesterday, I've seen a dashboard mat which claims to reduce the dashboard glare and also helps to keep any objects on the dashboard so that it won't fall down due to the smoothness of the dashboard.

Cost : Rs. 200-300

ajitkommini · 21st March 2007, 11:15

I find polarised sunglasses help with this. (Ray-ban / Polaroid). Got myself a pair last week and there's a marked reduction in glare.

superavi · 21st March 2007, 11:23

That's correct. Polarized glasses do cut out the glare to a large extent. Also it'll be helpful not to put bright articles on the dashboard. Especially newspapers/caps/magazines.

Got a new pair of sunglasses last week - Polo Club for about Rs. 900

tsk1979 · 21st March 2007, 11:33

I have seen some cars fitted with a matt black dashboard covering which looks like its made of some cloth. Local accessory shops may help.
And never polish your dashboard, and forbid the service center from doing so too.

msdivy · 21st March 2007, 12:01

Has color of the dashboard got anything to do with this problem?
Is dark-colored dash board better than light-colored one?

rishibravo · 21st March 2007, 14:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by msdivy

Has color of the dashboard got anything to do with this problem?
Is dark-colored dash board better than light-colored one?

I dont think the colour of the dashboard has to do much with it but its the finish of the dashboard thats the culprit. Matt/rough finish dashboards should cause less problem that the ones which have a shiny finish

Su-47 · 17th February 2009, 14:16

I am reviving this thread, as this is a problem that I face on my i10. And with beige interiors on many cars, thought this would be helpful to others as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mithun

Yesterday, I've seen a dashboard mat which claims to reduce the dashboard glare and also helps to keep any objects on the dashboard so that it won't fall down due to the smoothness of the dashboard.
Cost : Rs. 200-300

Did you see this in BLR? Any pointers to where I can go and check it out. Driving the i10 on tree lined roads with sun shining on the dashboard drives me nuts.

Another option I am thinking of is to get a leather wrap done in some dark matt shade. But, that would probably mean that the dashboard would be opened and I want to avoid this *surgery* as much as possible. Can anyone help me assess hos much would such a procedure cost?

Cheers,
Su-47

Sprucegoose · 17th February 2009, 15:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by msdivy

Has color of the dashboard got anything to do with this problem?
Is dark-colored dash board better than light-colored one?

actually it does..

the darker the colour, the less light is reflected off it.

black reflects the least light where as white reflects all frequencies of light.

if you manage [theoretically impossible] to get it perfectly black, then no light whatsoever will reflect off it.

I want to get a matt black finish for my dash board just for this reason.

Shekhar

16th March 2007, 21:23	#1
rkkoul Newbie Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 14 Thanked: 3 Times	Dashboard / Windshield Glare I have a Ford Ikon. When I drive it in a direction, when sun is shining into me (not behind me), the front dashboard shines so much that the reflections appear in the front windshield. That prevents me from seeing vehicles in front of me. Thanks to cycle-wallas and pedestrians that go criss-cross all the time; they make my life tougher. Does anybody know how to solve the issue? Possibly, if the dashboard has a less shiny surface, the problem won't happen. But I don't know how to reduce the shini-ness of the dashboard - except covering it with some cloth that absorbs the light rather than reflecting. Any better way? RK
	(3) Thanks

17th March 2007, 10:45	#2
navdeep BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Pune Posts: 892 Thanked: 4 Times	yes even I would like to know if there is any better solution.
	() Thanks

17th March 2007, 11:07	#3
harishsegar BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 178 Thanked: 2 Times	I had faced the same problem.. beige dashboard.. and bright sun. I just wear a polaroid glass now... end of problem.
	() Thanks

17th March 2007, 11:46	#4
rkkoul Newbie Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 14 Thanked: 3 Times	I have asked the servicing guy to find an innovative solution to fix the glare issue. If he fixes it, I will let you know. He says he will try with some kind of polish, which will reduce the reflective-ness of the dashboard. RK
	() Thanks

17th March 2007, 13:59	#5
mail4ajo Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 1,959 Thanked: 337 Times View My Garage	The best solution is "not to use dashboard polish" at all. I had this issue and rectified it by not polishing the dashboard at all. I instruct the service people not to. However you can polish it when it starts fading.
	(1) Thanks

18th March 2007, 19:59	#7
normally_crazy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Mumbai Posts: 4,305 Thanked: 543 Times View My Garage	Hi there, Do you use any sun film on the front windscreen ? If yes then this problem will be a major issue. If not , the Ikon has a dashboard thats made of quite shiny material . It does dull with time though. And yes , as advised by the rest do not use polish on the dashboard as it just adds to the shine.
	() Thanks

21st March 2007, 05:45	#8
mithun BANNED Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Cochin Posts: 2,195 Thanked: 268 Times	Yesterday, I've seen a dashboard mat which claims to reduce the dashboard glare and also helps to keep any objects on the dashboard so that it won't fall down due to the smoothness of the dashboard. Cost : Rs. 200-300
	() Thanks

21st March 2007, 11:15	#9
ajitkommini BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 488 Thanked: 124 Times	I find polarised sunglasses help with this. (Ray-ban / Polaroid). Got myself a pair last week and there's a marked reduction in glare.
	(1) Thanks

21st March 2007, 11:23	#10
superavi BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: London Posts: 286 Thanked: 29 Times	That's correct. Polarized glasses do cut out the glare to a large extent. Also it'll be helpful not to put bright articles on the dashboard. Especially newspapers/caps/magazines. Got a new pair of sunglasses last week - Polo Club for about Rs. 900
	() Thanks

21st March 2007, 11:33	#11
tsk1979 Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 23,695 Thanked: 23,484 Times View My Garage	I have seen some cars fitted with a matt black dashboard covering which looks like its made of some cloth. Local accessory shops may help. And never polish your dashboard, and forbid the service center from doing so too.
	() Thanks

21st March 2007, 12:01	#12
msdivy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,879 Thanked: 3,066 Times	Has color of the dashboard got anything to do with this problem? Is dark-colored dash board better than light-colored one?
	() Thanks