Keeping an nice dashboard from cracking

[josephvman]

The dash in my '84 3.2 is perfect and I'd like to keep it that way. I drive it 95% of the time with the top off and park it at work in an area that's shaded most of the day. I have a fitted windshield screen that I use religiously if I'm leaving car somewhere for more than a half-hour, but the dash still gets pretty hot.

I was thinking about using a vinyl/plastic treatment on it (I like the Lexol stuff) but I'm afraid that even though it makes things look good that it might have alcohol other agents that will end up drying it out over time and making it more likely to crack.

Any thoughts on a good product to use? I had a similar perfect dash in my '88 Alfa Spider, which had materials that aren't nearly as high-quality as the Porsche dash. I ended up putting a fitted "dashmat" cover. It looked decent, if maybe not great, but I guess I got used to it.

[Pedro '84 Coupe]

Aerospace 303 Protectant

[walt]

It's the UV rays more than the heat so keep using your windshield screen. 303 is good too if your dash is vinyl.

[Kraftwerk]

Would use a windshield reflector for sure, I custom made one that fits 100% & blocks the entire windshield. There might be a cooling dash cover .. someone needs to invent that asap. Damn, Houston..hot!

[tirwin]

3M Crystaline

[ksluna]

Another recommendation for aerospace 303 protectant. I may over-do it but I probably put it on every 2 months or so on my dash.

[Ok here we go]

Heatshield makes a windshield reflector that fits 3.2 911's. I have one for my '87, and it works well to reflect the sun off of the dash. I also treat the interior with Meguiar's Interior Detailer spray.

https://www.heatshieldstore.com/car-window-shades/1987-porsche-911-coupe

[Ok here we go]

It's a snug fit. Very, very snug.

[Otter74]

My 911 has a cracked dash, so not much concern there, but my Saab ('85 900 SPG) has a perfect dash, and I am interested in keeping it that way. In addition to a perfectly-fitting screen that I use when it's parked outside, I put a 3M Crystalline tint on the windows to help keep UV out of the interior and keep it cooler. I couldn't have this put on the Saab's windshield because of the considerable curvature, but it should be easy to put a Crystalline tint on a 911's windshield (and the rest of the windows). This will keep UV off it all of the time, and the screen will help further with keeping it from getting too hot.

[freesaints]

Another vote for Aerospace 303

[josephvman]

I have a Porsche fitted sunshade that does a great job, but a Targa creates a challenge unless you want to put the roof on multiple times a day or cover the car. I've been using Vinylex but I'll order some Aerospace 303.

[Locker537]

I use Lexol products on all the leather surfaces.

[josephvman]

That's what I use, also a bit of Hide Food.

Originally Posted by Locker537

I use Lexol products on all the leather surfaces.