How do you avoid dash board cracks?

[JackT]

I am fortunate that my 82 911SC has a very nice brown (non-leather) dash with no cracks. How can I keep it that way? Are there any chemicals that would help preserve it? I use a sun shade when it is in the sun.

[Formerly Steve Wilkinson]

Don't know whether it will help keep it from cracking, but I use Vinylex--made by the same company that makes Lexol, for leather. Keeping the heat off it with a sunshade is probably the single best thing you can do.

Stephan

[JC930]

Keep it in a garage and only let it come out at night works best for me and I do that with my car also.

[RickM]

For some reason I think the color of the dash has alot to with it. For example: Many Mercedes from the 70's and 80's with a blue interior has a cracked dash. I see this from other forums and from people I know with SLs. Perhaps xcertain colors absorb the harmful light waves and suffer more as a consequense.

Anyway,
UV light, age, material composition, temperature and humidity are influences as well. I'd use a treatment that does not contain silicone and has UV blockers. keeping it out of sunlight as suggested above is good advice.

[jmohn]

Originally posted by Formerly Steve Wilkinson
Don't know whether it will help keep it from cracking, but I use Vinylex--made by the same company that makes Lexol, for leather. Keeping the heat off it with a sunshade is probably the single best thing you can do.

Stephan

I agree with Mr. Wilkinson, Vinylex is excellent (contains UV blockers and no silicone) and block from sunlight whenever possible (use a sunshade).

Jerry M
'78 SC

[Harlan Chinn]

Move up north or sunblock SP-100 or greater. A sunshade would be the simplest and parking under cover of a garage or trees.

[JackT]

Id rather stay in the south. I will find a big shaddy tree.

[911SC Pilot]

I use a window shade.

[campbellcj]

Leave the car in the garage?

Just kidding. I always tried to use a windshield sun shade and/or one of those velour dash covers. Try to stay away from silicone-based cleaners or "protectants" (such as Armor-All) as many folks say they can actually promote discoloration and hardening of the vinyl. I think Wurth, Meguires, Vinylex and a few others all are better alternatives for the materials in our cars.

[vash]

you could tint the windshield with limo tint. but that is only legal in certian areas, like columbia, and in the movies when you are driving Christine. just kidding, i am a big fan of the big obnoxious silver window screen. thanks to formerly for the chemical approach.

cliff

[Bobboloo]

I will find a big shaddy tree.

Parking under trees may help save your dash but they'll rot your chassis. They have a host of goodies to destroy your body. They got sap, birds and not the least of which is their leaves.

[Doug Zielke]

Yeah, what Bobby said.
There are some evil, old Maple trees outside John Walkers Seattle shop.
In the summer, those suckers sweat sap. Don't ask me how I know!

And use a sunshade. Always.

[pwd72s]

Technically, it isn't sap...trees don't just "sweat" sap. But the aphids sucking on the tree sure do emit aphid doo-doo...

[old_skul]

I don't use anything. I have a black dash. It's fine. I wipe it down with a damp cloth twice or three times a year.

[Tom F2]

Mine cracked from sitting outside in sub zero cold. This is caused by the difference between the rates of contraction of the plastic dash and the steel reinforcements cast into it.

[vash]

aphid crap! i think i feel better thinking it is sap