Cleaning eucalyptus wood dash

[user 5157]

Any suggestions to clean/preserve the i3's wood dash besides BMW's PureCare product (83122405479)?

 

[n1o2c3a4c5h6e7t]

I recently bought the BMW Pluscare product, which should arrive today. Is there a reason you don't want to use that product?

FYI, it's available for about half the price (after shipping) if you buy it from eBay, where some BMW dealer sells it for ~$14 with shipping included.

 

[CharonPDX]

Slightly damp rag, then go over it with a dry cloth.

 

[Fisher99]

Searching the forum for tips for maintaining the Eucalyptus wood dash in my new-to-me 2014 i3/REX. The BMW PureCare product looks like a cleaner, which is ok. But I am wondering whether some type of oil would work better for maintaining the finish against the harsh rays of the sun? Maybe a Tung oil or Linseed oil? I wouldn't want to do something that would significantly change the color tone of the wood though. Anybody using any type of oil or sealer on their dash? Or if you are using the BMW PureCare product, does that appear to seal the wood as well as clean it?

 

[Anonymous]

I use the PureCare and it does seal and protect the wood. Label says it contains Sandalwood extracts, Beeswax, and Carnauba wax.

 

[Fisher99]

Excellent! I've got some on order. Thanks!

 

[Randy101]

I have a 2015 i3 and just noticed that my eucalyptus wood dash is suddenly beginning to "crinkle". The formerly smooth surface has not taken on a ridged feel that appears to be the grain lines of the wood lifting.

For the past 3 years I have put on the BMW sandal wood treatment mentioned above. The car is in the US Pacific Northwest and in the summer, I use a full inner windshield reflected cover.

Has anyone else had this experience?

 

[alohart]

I owned a 2014 i3 for over 7 years in the strong tropical sunlight of Honolulu. Its eucalyptus dashboard trim looked like new when I sold our i3 even though I never treated it with anything. I wonder whether the BMW sandalwood treatment might be causing the crinkling.

 

[Chrism88]

I never put anything on it and after 100k miles sitting outside it’s great.

 

[Skye2002]

I recall a similar thread where someone actually took the dash apart and applied a gloss finish (!)
My response was that I use a good cabinet maker's polish such as Goddard's which contains beeswax. Comes up a treat with a soft sheen

 

[thinkingdonkey]

I have a 2015 i3 and just noticed that my eucalyptus wood dash is suddenly beginning to "crinkle". The formerly smooth surface has not taken on a ridged feel that appears to be the grain lines of the wood lifting.

For the past 3 years I have put on the BMW sandal wood treatment mentioned above. The car is in the US Pacific Northwest and in the summer, I use a full inner windshield reflected cover.

Has anyone else had this experience?

I had this on my 7 year old i3 in Denmark. The wood grain had become raised and it felt rough. I gave it a very light sand with 250 grit sandpaper (being careful not to sand any plastics), then applied some beeswax based wood wax. It now feels buttery smooth and looks great.