Tips for preserving an uncracked dash?

[black_falcon]

Guys, I just picked up a 964 that has a very nice uncracked dash. I don't know if these are prone to cracking like the oval dash on my 944, but if so, I'd like to preserve it best as possible.

I'm considering one of those $35 fabric Dashmats to lay ontop when it will be sitting outside on a warm sunny day. Aside from keeping it garaged and having a sunshade, any other tips for preserving the dash?

[boxster03]

keep the windows cracked

[tirwin]

There are a few products around that can be used to treat vinyl. The main thing is you want to keep it from drying out. I like the stuff from Griots because it's not super shiny.

[hbueno]

Use a windshield sun shade if you leave the car outside.

Hugo

[porterdog]

Not frequently reported in the 964 fora, but I like 303 Aerospace Protectant.

It works better if you say the name with a lot of reverb and your best Announcer Voice.

[964TargaC2]

clean it gently with a very mild solution of ivory soap and water to remove dirt and whatever may be on there..

Then apply Aerospace 303, repeat once a month (Its the best, since I discovered it I use nothing else, it makes my 23 year old targa roof look like new!)

Never use armor all..for anything on your car..i use my surplus armor all on some household items but not on my vehicles..

and follow the other advice as given above

[Trackrash]

Use a car cover. I replaced the dash in my '71 with a new one in '85 and it has not shown any signs of cracking to date. It was my daily driver for over 25 years. I kept my car in the garage at home, and covered it every day when parked at my work. I don't use any dressing, like armorall, on my dash.

[Bill Douglas]

This Aerospace 303 sounds good stuff. Another to consider is the Wurth product.

[armand80sc]

- I always use a windscreen sun cover when it is parked.

- aerospace 303 protectant is good stuff and doesnt make the dash shiny.
- I've also used the meguiars nxt interior tech protectant which has worked well. Never had any problems with their stuff. It does give a shiny appearance to the dash and smells nice

I suspect the windscreen cover is prob doing the most in keeping my dash crack and fade free.

[aigel]

What causes the dash cracks is the plasticizers evaporating from the material. This can be avoided by reducing temperature / sun exposure. Garage the car when possible. Park in the shade, crack windows, put a window shade etc.

Here a neat write up

Why do dashboards crack?

The good news is that chemists have been making the materials more and more durable over the years. I find my 993 dash as soft as when it was new (speculating here), no shrinkage whatsoever. I attribute this to better materials.

Finally, do you really want a CARPET in your face when driving your car? So it will look good for the next guy? The thing you look at most besides the road and your gauges in a car is the dash. I like mine to look nice - no carpet. On my SC i pulled the original leather dash and spent $700 on a factory new Porsche replacement. With those improved materials. I bet it still is as nice as the day I bought it - without a carpet on it!

Cheers,

G

[combatic]

+1 NO shag carpet

[IROC]

Originally Posted by porterdog

Not frequently reported in the 964 fora, but I like 303 Aerospace Protectant.

I second the 303 Protectant suggestion. My 1976 (!) still has the original dash and it is in essentially perfect condition. I use 303 Protectant, park it in a garage when I'm not driving it and use sun shades whenever I park it outside.

[Sunroof]

Necessary requirements for vinyl dashboards that will over time dry and crack are: Apply Vinylex and always use a Sunshade when parked outdoors.

[71scgc]

Threeee ohhhh threeee Arrowspace Proteccctaaannntt!!!

Needs more reverb.

Carter (bootleg Don Pardo)

[Sunroof]

Vinyl dries out and will crack if not properly treated. Lexol makes VINYLEX that is made to penetrate vinyl not cover it, coat it or shield it! Its not cheap! I have used this stuff for years and its great.

I use 303 protectant on my Sunbrella fabric covers on my boat. Not the same. I do not think this stuff penetrates vinyl.

No, I am not a spokesperson nor paid representative for Vinylex!!!!!!!!!!!

Bob
73.5T

[dyusem]

+1 for Vinylex!

The dash on my '80 SC is perfect and always treated with this product.

Vinylex also works exceptionally well on the exterior of the Targa top.

[armand80sc]

Im going to give the new Meguiars Ultimate Dash Protectant and Trim Restorer a trial. Has some positive reviews online in the car care forums and looks like might be promising.

One thing Ive found with the 303 aerospace is it doesnt work well for external rubber trim - for example rubber spoiler. very hard to apply and get an even coat. It actually made my new front windshiled rubber develop coarse bits over the top. So I only use it for interior now.

[mclmk8d]

I've been using Vinylex on all my cars for years...great stuff.

[m110]

Put an interior tint of 3M Crystalline on the windshield. Blocks 97% UV, reduction in light is not really noticeable. Mild distortion but I haven't found it a problem.

Technically illegal to tint the windshield but it is not dark and you can't even tell. Keeps the car cooler, less tax on the AC too.

Garage, Sunshade, Cover, Vinylex are my other choices. I actually cover my steering wheel before my dash if given the choice.