Flint

Of course, the hard part would be finding people who've EVER bought armor-all or similar products. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="wink.gif" />

atb

Thanks for the healthy conversation on Armor All Folks, but can we get back to the question at hand?

Is there anything I can do to prevent these to cracks for lengthening? If I drill or punch a round hole at the point of the split, will that prevent further splitting?

I live in Washington, we're not exactly known for sunshine, unless it's liquid sunshine (rain). Those of you that have seen my car, know that the only tinting that would keep out more light than what I have on there now would have to be made of granite.

The only cleaner I've used on the dash is Lexol.

I do have sun shades for the windshield when the car is parked.

I'm just curious is there is anything I can do directly to the splits in the vinyl to prevent them from spreading?

Thanks!

Iain

Armour all or similar is definately not for eather - use Gliptone, best least treatment available. For vinyl, what I use is simply silicone emulsion, it is the basic ingrdian for a lot of the Armour All type products. It does not shine, but seems to soften the vinyl. Not sure where you can buy it from now, I got 5lt of the stuff 5 years ago from a friend, cost all of $0.30c per litre if I brught my own bottle.

I use normal furniture polish on my XJ-S woodwork and vinyl, seemed to work very well, no cracks after 18 years.

Iain

Ron_H

atb:
You have a good idea by drilling a round hole at the start of the crack. I thought about that when I first got my car, as it has small cracks starting around the vents. The hole will distribute the stress evenly and hopefully it won't disperse any further. You should be certain that you make a clean, smooth cut as any ragged edges will be the source for more linear cracks radiating from the original hole.
Post a follow up after a few months if you do it. I haven't been able to figure out why Porsche didn't think of that or at least provide some type of expansion joint in the dash covering material or underlayment to accomodate temperature changes.
<img border="0" alt="[bigbye]" title="" src="graemlins/xyxwave.gif" />

atb

Thanx Ron!

I'll give it a shot.

I know the later S4's ('90 and newer?) have plastic inserts in the defrost vents as opposed to just having the vinyl going down into the holes. I'm assuming this was designed to prevent the cracking problem. Maybe I should do a retro-fit?

-Adam

Tom. M

Just a couple of quick thoughts on the splitting issue...

Two reasons I can think of why the covers crack...

First would be loss of elasticity because all plastics/vinyls have plasticizers in them (di-octyl phthalate etc..) that evaporate over time.

Second would be physical in terms of expansion and contraction.

So..you can't avoid the first...will always happen..and probably accelerated by heat and chemical attack..

and the second...can be minimized...ie ..keep it out of the sun etc...

Like you suggested...providing stress relief in the area of the crack may help, but may also be unsightly...

Tough one....best bet...find the newest best condition dash and pod around and hide it in a dark cool and dry place.....and use it when the time comes to replace the cracked one.. ;-)

Later,
Tom
midlman@rennlist.com
87S4 At For sale..anyone..come on....it's a bargain.....

89GT..

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by atb:
<strong>Thanx Ron!

I'll give it a shot.

I know the later S4's ('90 and newer?) have plastic inserts in the defrost vents as opposed to just having the vinyl going down into the holes. I'm assuming this was designed to prevent the cracking problem. Maybe I should do a retro-fit?

-Adam</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">