Minor dash cracking - thoughts on slowing it down?
02-10-2015, 12:50 PM
#1
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Minor dash cracking - thoughts on slowing it down?
well, it's happened - my crack-free dash now has some hairline cracks and i'm looking for ideas on how to prevent them from getting worse too quickly. mainly, what products are people using, with success, on their dash to keep it from drying out (i do use a sunshade due to the TX sun). second, anyone ever try a small dab of crazy glue type product at the base of the crack to hold the open end together. some products have some rather precise applicators. thanks.
02-10-2015, 02:09 PM
#2
I don't know that there is much you can do at this point short of getting the most effective sunshade you can and and using it religiously. Products are a good idea, but its the thermal expansion that's going to kill you no matter what, so you need to reduce in car temps as much as you can. Leave the sunroof cracked and the windows cracked too on hot days. Tint the hatch if it isn't already.
Personally? send classic 9 some money for a new cover and do the dash while the cracks are small, its $600 and then the install work, but the bigger those cracks get, the harder it will be to recover later.
Personally? send classic 9 some money for a new cover and do the dash while the cracks are small, its $600 and then the install work, but the bigger those cracks get, the harder it will be to recover later.
02-12-2015, 02:49 PM
#3
Three Wheelin'
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Hawkinsville / Perry, Georgia, RETIRED USAF GO BLUE
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Minor dash cracking
You can use the smallest drill bit to stop drill a hole right at the end of the cracks. This should stop the crack quicker that just letting it expand further. Some people say to treat the dash same as the leather seats with conditioner. I know, just how often do we do it.
Cheers,
Larry
Cheers,
Larry
02-12-2015, 04:41 PM
#5
Rennlist Member
I have some very, very minor cracking around the vent holes. Doing my best to prevent it spreading with regular moisturizing and UV protection.
I use this stuff:
Non-sticky, not ridiculously shiny, does a great job.
303 Aerospace Protectant is also pretty decent in my experience.
I use this stuff:
Non-sticky, not ridiculously shiny, does a great job.
303 Aerospace Protectant is also pretty decent in my experience.
02-12-2015, 07:15 PM
#7
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
that's exactly my current condition. i have/use lexol products, but wasn't aware they had one specifically for vinyl/dashboards. this is just what i was looking for. thanks very much for the suggestion.
I have some very, very minor cracking around the vent holes. Doing my best to prevent it spreading with regular moisturizing and UV protection.
I use this stuff:
http://www.amazon.com/Vinylex-1215-P...rotector+lexol
Non-sticky, not ridiculously shiny, does a great job.
303 Aerospace Protectant is also pretty decent in my experience.
I use this stuff:
http://www.amazon.com/Vinylex-1215-P...rotector+lexol
Non-sticky, not ridiculously shiny, does a great job.
303 Aerospace Protectant is also pretty decent in my experience.
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02-14-2015, 02:02 AM
#12
Burning Brakes
4-way stretch marine grade upholstery vinyl might work even better, but apparently this worked quite well. Since the material is fully supported by the underlying dashboard structure, it does not need much strength or backing, so a thin material would suffice, and be easier to form around curves than a thick material.
Could be, the contact cement only needs to be applied around the perimeter of the piece, and in the indentations and grooves for the windshield defroster. A good quality spray contact cement such as 3M may be suitable, and somewhat easier to apply.
Upholstery vinyl is typically sold by the lineal yard in 54" width, often for less than $20 per lineal yard. It looks like this guy used maybe half or 2/3 yard of material, so this is a very inexpensive project.
Or, buy several yards of it, do your door cards and rear sun shade, etc. in matching color. My 951 has pearl beige (basically tan) leather seats, but a charcoal gray or black dashboard and rear sun shade, which make a very efficient solar oven. So, I may consider recovering the dash, window sills, and rear shade in a lighter color like the seats, so the car does not get so hot in summer sun.
Could be, the contact cement only needs to be applied around the perimeter of the piece, and in the indentations and grooves for the windshield defroster. A good quality spray contact cement such as 3M may be suitable, and somewhat easier to apply.
Upholstery vinyl is typically sold by the lineal yard in 54" width, often for less than $20 per lineal yard. It looks like this guy used maybe half or 2/3 yard of material, so this is a very inexpensive project.
Or, buy several yards of it, do your door cards and rear sun shade, etc. in matching color. My 951 has pearl beige (basically tan) leather seats, but a charcoal gray or black dashboard and rear sun shade, which make a very efficient solar oven. So, I may consider recovering the dash, window sills, and rear shade in a lighter color like the seats, so the car does not get so hot in summer sun.
02-14-2015, 01:01 PM
#13
Instructor
my dash only has a small crack that started last year. If it was like most I like what the utube guy did. I am not sure you can do that on a air bag car.
when I looked up leather thearapy there was several options. Which product do you use?
when I looked up leather thearapy there was several options. Which product do you use?
02-14-2015, 01:21 PM
#14
Instructor
Join Date: Jul 2014
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I suspect the airbag would make a hole in that vinyl without much trouble. the pad over the airbag in alot of cars is scored, so if it's a concern I don't see why you couldn't score the back side of the material so it breaks away if the airbag goes off. I agree it does complicate things though