I'm in the process of pulling my dash out of my ute to paint and I'm unsure where to start.

First of all my dash pad is in uncracked but looks very dry and starting to change shape. This is my daily so I want to treat it and prevent it from cracking. What do you guys recommend to use? as I've heard products like armorol can make it worse.

Second, do I treat the dash before or after I paint it? You need to wash the dash pad before painting so will treating before hand just ruin the paint prep?

Once it's painted will treating the dash pad affect the paint or even help once there is a coat of paint on the dash?

Thanks