Dash is starting to crack, how do you stop it?

My dash is clean except for a very small crack that start over the summer near the speaker. I guess the screw that hold down the speaker grill was too tight.

This crack is only about 1mm in length. How do I stop it from growing?

I was thinking about using glue, or maybe one of those repair kits for vinyl...

Any suggestions?

Thanks

[bodyart27]

UV (sunlight) is the major cause of dash damage. Also do not use Armor All on anything - it attracts dirt and will slowly break down your dash.

If your dash only has one split - I would condition it.

I think the safest product I have found thus far for a dash is the meguiars vinyl and rubber conditioner (#40) - it can be lightly buffed after an application to give a natural sheen. It also works well to take the gray out of your steering wheel center. It definately will not give you that "I've been slimed!" look that you see with other dressings (resulting in a greasy, tacky, "ick" feel). Do not use it on leather however.

For the lst three years or so I've been buying most of my high end detailing stuff (well stuff I can't get at a Target or WalMart) from goodspeedmotoring.com.

http://www.goodspeedmotoring.com/subcat.php?man_id=25

Hope that helps

[tenknots]

For small metal cracks, I've been successful in drilling a tiny hole at the leading edge of the crack to stop it. Sounds counterintuitive, but it works. Can't see why it wouldn't work in plastic.

I've seen stop-drilling used on cracks in the plastic fairings used on general aviation aircraft as well.

Can I also suggest a windshield shade/reflector and a dash cover?

Would this hold it together to prevent it from spreading?

Drilling a hole in the in my dash doesn't seem like the right thing to do, although I can see it for stopping other types of cracks.

[SD Blue]

and have considered taking a look at "Plastic-Weld" that I have found in auto part stores (OReilly's a local chain). I know of using it to repair cracks in bumpers but am not sure how well it would work on dash vinyl. The problem with any kind of adhesive is there is not a great deal of "mating" surface.

Probably the best is a "liquid vinyl". I definitely would like to find someone who has volunteered from trial use of such a product. The kits usually have a sort of "texturing" material for adding that invisible touch.

It just prevents the existing fracture from spreading as easily. And if you did drill a hole, it would be a tiny one.

If it was me, I'd probably just get a dash cover, though, and a reflective windshield cover for when I park outside..

[bill murrow]

Originally Posted by webwench

I've seen stop-drilling used on cracks in the plastic fairings used on general aviation aircraft as well.

Can I also suggest a windshield shade/reflector and a dash cover?

I need a dash cover for mine and have searched several places, including Fastlane to no avail.

Was gonna search more but you may save me some time if you could tell me where to get one. My dash is nice and I need to cover it to keep it that way.

Thanks

Cheers,

Bill

[Hatterasguy]

A big dash crack would bother me to no end. I hate dash covers to so when the time comes since the dash is aluminum backed I will get it recovered. Or bend over and get a new one. I have a very small crack at the corner of one of the speaker covers. You have to be looking for it to see it.

I have a windshield reflector that fits ok. I found a place that I think can cut me a custom one that will fit a W126 perfectly. But it's $50 so I will get that next year.

[miamimike]

Originally Posted by bill murrow

I need a dash cover for mine and have searched several places, including Fastlane to no avail.

Was gonna search more but you may save me some time if you could tell me where to get one. My dash is nice and I need to cover it to keep it that way.

Thanks

Cheers,

Bill

I bought my dash covers from JC Whitney--it was 30 some dollars and fit very well.