Dashboard Cracks

[kellyj00]

Does anyone know how to prevent dashboard cracks?
They usually show up after about 10 years or so, I'm wondering if there's anything I can do now to keep my dash in good shape!

Thanks!

[bestatchess]

I'm hoping that Aerospace 303 will protect the dash, although a dash cover is probably the best bet. A sunscreen for the windshield when parked will also help.

[jasonmotox]

Dont Use Armor All!

[BigA]

I think car companies are useing better materials to prevent cracking now, My old Ram sat out in the hot Georgia sun for ten years and it didn't have any cracks in the dash, but if your really worried about it I would use a window sun shade for those hot sunny days.

[Clint]

Originally Posted by jasonmotox

Dont Use Armor All!

I agree, Armor-All will promote the vinyl to shrink and crack rather than prevent it.

Clint

[Grizzlymudder]

really? what should be used instead?

[onelowmini]

Tint the front windshield..thats what I did..just use the lightest tint they make...its great.

[m1aman]

Originally Posted by BigA

I think car companies are useing better materials to prevent cracking now, My old Ram sat out in the hot Georgia sun for ten years and it didn't have any cracks in the dash, but if your really worried about it I would use a window sun shade for those hot sunny days.

thats right. if you get a crack these days the material is faulty. back in the 60's and 70's everybodys dash cracked no matter how expensive the car. i got rid of a 93 gmc i had for 12 years and no cracks even though it spent most of it's life without shelter of any kind.

as for me, i wipe my dash with a damp rag when i clean it. no chemicals of any kind.

[Nick_1551]

Originally Posted by onelowmini

Tint the front windshield..thats what I did..just use the lightest tint they make...its great.

exactly my thought, although here its really illegal most cops wont look for it. it will help the most and is fairly cheap (40-90 bux)

my old f-150 was a 99 and the only crak i got was there the radio sat in dash because i hit it one day and than starting picking at it yada yada...

NICK

[FuzzyLogic]

Originally Posted by BigA

I think car companies are useing better materials to prevent cracking now, My old Ram sat out in the hot Georgia sun for ten years and it didn't have any cracks in the dash, but if your really worried about it I would use a window sun shade for those hot sunny days.

Agree on all points. Better materials are now the norm. Dash cracks are largely a thing of the past.

Use a sunshade though...it does keep your interior cooler in hot climates because it block solar gain from heating the dash and steering wheel (sun angle dependant).

Seats, consoles and dash boards store a LOT of heat, which translates into longer cooling off periods in the car after starting it.

[Blackbeauty]

Honestly, ask anyone with a vintage car. Lemon Pledge makes it soft and supple and makes the inside of the car smell lemony fresh. No kidding. Ask anyone.

[kellyj00]

uh, guys... I'm asking because a friends 2002 Blazer is starting to crack. You can even see the yellow foam now, it's just destined to get worse.
I had a 1991 Cougar that cracked like crazy.
My mother's 1995 Lumina has a minor cracking, but not too big of deal because her foam is a darker color so it's hard to notice.

[Boots]

Hey they make Duct Tape fer that there. Cover that crack up and get er done......

[seniorgp]

Never had a dash crack on me.....Always keep it clean, use a good quality vinyl protectant and sunshade when parked. Oh, same goes for all the vinyl/plastic interior peices. Just take a little TLC.

[kellyj00]

I'm searching on google.com for answers to my original question about preventing dash cracks. There are MANY sites that say Armor All or STP are the way to prevent cracks on your vinyl.

Why does everyone oppose armor all?