what is the best way to stop dash cracks from growing?
06-01-2003, 12:38 AM
#1
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what is the best way to stop dash cracks from growing?
My car has only one crack and it is un-noticable at this point, but i dont want it to grow larger, i do not have access to a garage and at this point my only defenses against more cracks are armor all and a sunshade, is there any way to stop cracks from growing completely? im sure this has been touched on before but any help would be greatly appreciated
quat2nv
1986 944 na, 63k
1993 audi 90cs quattro, for sale
quat2nv
1986 944 na, 63k
1993 audi 90cs quattro, for sale
06-01-2003, 01:03 AM
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Plastic has a compound in it called a plasticizer. Once it starts to evaporate due to heat, UV or time, the plastic will harden and crack. Sorry to say, all plastic will end up this way, it is just a matter of time and nothing can stop it. Getting the plastic out of heat and the sun is the only way I know of to slow this process. I did a quick search and the link below talks about this process for PVC. Note they are talking about this process occurring buried underground or under water.
<a href="http://www.geomembrane.com/TechPapers/EvalPlasticizer.htm" target="_blank">http://www.geomembrane.com/TechPapers/EvalPlasticizer.htm</a>
<a href="http://www.geomembrane.com/TechPapers/EvalPlasticizer.htm" target="_blank">http://www.geomembrane.com/TechPapers/EvalPlasticizer.htm</a>
06-01-2003, 01:38 AM
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I agree the only thing that will trully greatly slow this process is lack of sun. Get a dash cover or window shade for when it sits. As much as I hate them, they have their uses!
06-01-2003, 01:50 AM
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yup dash cover or window shade and use Lexol Vinylex (in a teal spray bottle get it at a pep boys etc), thats the best stuff and makes your dash look like new again. Put away the armorall, I have heard nothing but bad things about that stuff
06-01-2003, 01:51 AM
#7
"They say" Armor All contains silicone - which dries out the plastic over time, contributing to the cracks.
I like Meguires stuff.
It's too bad no one has an effective vinyl/plastic treatment that could stop teh cracks from growing.
I like Meguires stuff.
It's too bad no one has an effective vinyl/plastic treatment that could stop teh cracks from growing.
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06-01-2003, 01:51 AM
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</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">I agree the only thing that will trully greatly slow this process is lack of sun. Get a dash cover or window shade for when it sits. As much as I hate them, they have their uses!
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Exactly, I have used one for the last 3 Years, and I have had no new crack's or one's that got bigger, It also does not hurt to spray down or wipe down the dash once a week with a type of vinyl or leather treatment. I know if my dash only had one crack in it, and knowing how much a new dash cost's, I would be wiping down that dash more than my own ***.. <img border="0" alt="[hiha]" title="" src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[hiha]" title="" src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" />
Lead Foot 944
84 944....
</font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Exactly, I have used one for the last 3 Years, and I have had no new crack's or one's that got bigger, It also does not hurt to spray down or wipe down the dash once a week with a type of vinyl or leather treatment. I know if my dash only had one crack in it, and knowing how much a new dash cost's, I would be wiping down that dash more than my own ***.. <img border="0" alt="[hiha]" title="" src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[hiha]" title="" src="graemlins/roflmao.gif" />
Lead Foot 944
84 944....
06-01-2003, 02:55 AM
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Here is a good resource on dash cracks:
<a href="http://www.zhome.com/ZCMnL/tech/dash.html" target="_blank">http://www.zhome.com/ZCMnL/tech/dash.html</a>
EXCERPTS:
1. Ultra Violet light, depending on its wavelength, is in fact ionizing radiation. It can dissassociate and even ionize molecules.
2. If the damage to the dash parts is "cracks" it is probably from heat, (which couses outgassing or drying). If it is "powdering of the surface" it may be >from UV light. Even material with a very high absorption coefficient transmits a small amount of UV light. A very bright UV source (the sun) over a very long time can cause damage through a car window.
3. The UV from the sun is sufficiently intense and energetic to cause blindness in a fairly short time (staring directly into the sun for 10 minutes). The sunglasses are to protect the retina from UV light.
So we can conclude that the cause of the dashboard cracking is [drum roll please]... THE SUN! So for an uncracked dash to stay that way, it must be protected from the sun. The other method is to undo the damage that the sun does. Since there is really no way to completely protect your dash from the sun (except, maybe to keep it in the garage during the day and only drive at night :-), then this makes sense. There is also mention on the list that dashboard cracking may be related to high temperatures inside the cabin of the car, and also may be related to rapid and/or extreme changes in interior temperature.
Personally, I also cover my windshield with a solar sunscreen and leave the windows/sunroof cracked open when the car is out in the sun. Periodically, I treat it with Meguiars leather conditioner to keep it moisturized.
P/S. I see some people recommending that the dash gets washed with soap and water before applying the protectant. Be careful with soap....I have been told that soap has a tendency to dry the leather prematurely.
<a href="http://www.zhome.com/ZCMnL/tech/dash.html" target="_blank">http://www.zhome.com/ZCMnL/tech/dash.html</a>
EXCERPTS:
1. Ultra Violet light, depending on its wavelength, is in fact ionizing radiation. It can dissassociate and even ionize molecules.
2. If the damage to the dash parts is "cracks" it is probably from heat, (which couses outgassing or drying). If it is "powdering of the surface" it may be >from UV light. Even material with a very high absorption coefficient transmits a small amount of UV light. A very bright UV source (the sun) over a very long time can cause damage through a car window.
3. The UV from the sun is sufficiently intense and energetic to cause blindness in a fairly short time (staring directly into the sun for 10 minutes). The sunglasses are to protect the retina from UV light.
So we can conclude that the cause of the dashboard cracking is [drum roll please]... THE SUN! So for an uncracked dash to stay that way, it must be protected from the sun. The other method is to undo the damage that the sun does. Since there is really no way to completely protect your dash from the sun (except, maybe to keep it in the garage during the day and only drive at night :-), then this makes sense. There is also mention on the list that dashboard cracking may be related to high temperatures inside the cabin of the car, and also may be related to rapid and/or extreme changes in interior temperature.
Personally, I also cover my windshield with a solar sunscreen and leave the windows/sunroof cracked open when the car is out in the sun. Periodically, I treat it with Meguiars leather conditioner to keep it moisturized.
P/S. I see some people recommending that the dash gets washed with soap and water before applying the protectant. Be careful with soap....I have been told that soap has a tendency to dry the leather prematurely.
06-01-2003, 03:30 AM
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cause of the dashboard cracking is [drum roll please]... THE SUN!
Nope, the sun is the accelerate to the process. It happens due to the way plastics are made. All things made by man seen to fail over time.
Nope, the sun is the accelerate to the process. It happens due to the way plastics are made. All things made by man seen to fail over time.
06-01-2003, 10:46 AM
#11
Quat2nv,
My 928 (US) had numerous cracks when I purchased it 4 years ago. I used black RTV to fill the cracks and they haven't grown. I have noticed one new crack. BTW my dash is black. Of course YMMV.
Dennis
My 928 (US) had numerous cracks when I purchased it 4 years ago. I used black RTV to fill the cracks and they haven't grown. I have noticed one new crack. BTW my dash is black. Of course YMMV.
Dennis