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

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

__________________
~shell
As of 2/2010:
2001 CLK55 0o\=*=/o0
13.6 @ 106mph
10K mi
1984 300SD
260K mi and going and going...
97 S600
46K miles
1991 Sentra SE-R (extremely dorked with)
www.se-r.net

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.

__________________
1984 300Sd 210k

Former cars:
1984 300D 445k (!!) (Strider) Original (and not rebuilt) engine and transmission. Currently running on V80 ( 80% vegetable oil, 20% petroleum products). Actually not, taking a WVO break.
1993 300d 2.5 275k. Current 120/day commuter
1981 300SD 188k (Hans) Killed by a deer

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.

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.

__________________
Sam

84 300SD 350K+ miles ( Blue Belle )

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..

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

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.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

The cracks are better. No offense but my grand mother had a dash cover, and plastic on the couches...and although I'm middle aged with a kid, rollin in a diesel wagon...I'm not goin for the dash cover.

No disrespect intended to those of you who have them, I'm facing an identity crisis as it is and I'm afraid the dash cover would just push me over the edge.

I was hoping that someone had experimented with the vinyl kits...you know the ones they use to advertise on TV. I think you get them at auto part stories like SD Blue mentioned.

If no has tried it, I'll do it over the weekend, take pictures and report back.

Can't hurt, its already cracked...I've got to replace the evaporator this winter anyway. If I truly screw up I'll just replace the dash then...

Where can one get a new dash...?

- Patrick

__________________
1982 240D. 198k, Marine Blue/Blue, 4 Speed, Crank Windows, No Sunroof, No Rust, No Oil Leaks
2001 TDI. 197k, Lagoon Blue/Black, 5 speed, Chip, G60/VR6

Check Performance Products. They make a very nice cover that looks original. Not a piece of carpet. I think it is around $90.00.

__________________
1984 300D Turbo Sedan (Hilda) 272,115 miles.....
Anthracite Gray/Palamino Leather, I am 3rd owner

2001 Dodge Stratus (Silver) (wifes) 55814 miles...

1982 280TE Wagon Astral Silver Metallic/
Anthracite Velour
260,512 miles (Eva)

1969 230 Sedan Olive Green/Black MBTex
4 Speed Manual
84,213 miles ????
Haus Frau


2004 Boreem Ninja Pocket Bike
Highly Modified 49cc (Ling Ling)

Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit

I know what you mean. When I asked where to get one I didn't realize it was one of those carpet things. Looks like a shag rug.

Oh well, I'll keep mine covered up when not in use and replace it when the time comes.

Someone mentioned Performance Products dash overlays. a friend of mine who has had a custom body shop for years says the one in the P.P catalog is made by a long standing company that makes excellent products. A little more money than others but he says you won't be disappointed.

Cheers,

Bill

I am not sure you can still get them for the W123 but I know the dealer can get them for a W126.

I wonder how expensive it would be to get one recoverd?

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I had my 230sl dash recoverred. I think I paid 50.00. I had to remove it etc. It wasn't that expensive. But with a 123 car it would be a bigger deal. I see new dashs on eBay all the time, I think they trade for about 70.00.

Going today to check out the patch kits, I'm also going to stop by a local upholstery place to see what they recommend...