"Freezing"/Stopping small dash cracks?

[LAnNYCGuy]

So, I have a few very small dash cracks (just between the vents at the top of the dash, only two, and an 1/8th to a 1/4 of an inch at the upper corner of the glove box).

Are these doomed to spread?

Or is there a way to "freeze" them w/ an epoxy or something?

Right now they are not really a visual issue.

Just don't want to slowly watch the dash go downhill in front of me over time.

Thanks.

[honerboys]

i would say the short answer is yes they will spread - it seems the plastic on these (and most other) dashes dries out and loses all it's flexibility - once it's brittle it cracks - i don't think epoxy (also brittle) would help - i would definitely try to keep the sun off it as that seems to be what dries it out the most - i'm not sure any of those liquid applications actually do anything to really add flexibility back to the plastic - i could swear i've applied them only to see some of the cracks get bigger

[LAnNYCGuy]

Originally Posted by honerboys

i would say the short answer is yes they will spread - it seems the plastic on these (and most other) dashes dries out and loses all it's flexibility - once it's brittle it cracks - i don't think epoxy (also brittle) would help - i would definitely try to keep the sun off it as that seems to be what dries it out the most - i'm not sure any of those liquid applications actually do anything to really add flexibility back to the plastic - i could swear i've applied them only to see some of the cracks get bigger

Any belief or experience or faith in the Classic 9 fixes?

[Danglerb]

Doomed, heat makes vinyl shrink, and at least in that era nobody could make a dash that would last in the sun. No surprise the damage starts around the heated vents.

OTOH any of a number of good fitting sun screens keep the dashes nice as long as you use them all the time when parked in the sun.

IIRC Classic 9 does a fill and smooth, then covers the dash with new material. Best thing for items like this is to attend one of the regional meetings and look at some cars and ask the owners questions.

[LAnNYCGuy]

Originally Posted by Danglerb

Doomed, heat makes vinyl shrink, and at least in that era nobody could make a dash that would last in the sun. No surprise the damage starts around the heated vents.

OTOH any of a number of good fitting sun screens keep the dashes nice as long as you use them all the time when parked in the sun.

IIRC Classic 9 does a fill and smooth, then covers the dash with new material. Best thing for items like this is to attend one of the regional meetings and look at some cars and ask the owners questions.

Thanks!

What is your POV on that ceramic clear window tint? Supposed to cut heat a TON. As good as/better than the reflective sun screen? Especially as it is also in place when you are driving in the sun.

[Danglerb]

Wife's car is a Scion Xb aka toaster, and dealer put AZ style film on all the windows, works great, CHP pulled us over and wrote a ticket for it, so we are looking at removal on front windows and/or replacing with 3M ceramic film.

Two front windows we got quotes of about $200 for 3M and I think $125 for some other brand. Worth it I think even in SoCal where its sunny, but not insane AZ sunny.

That said you can't or at least I don't think you can put film on the windshield, so good shades are a must. I bought a "custom fit for 928" shade from a premium brand and the fit was LOUSY. I've got a SunGuard on the outside for now.

[honerboys]

hey danglerb - they have similar laws here in colorado - but the window tinter said they can put 27% tint (IIRC) on all the windows except windshield and be legal - that's what i did - it seems to make a big difference as now the a/c fan rarely has to go above 1 - i also have a windshield screen that i use but not religiously - probably should use it every time but i'm lazy - i think that big back window is the main culprit when it comes to solar heating these cars - lannycguy i've never heard of the clear stuff, but i'm old and out of touch

[George928]

Originally Posted by LAnNYCGuy

So, I have a few very small dash cracks (just between the vents at the top of the dash, only two, and an 1/8th to a 1/4 of an inch at the upper corner of the glove box).

Are these doomed to spread?

Or is there a way to "freeze" them w/ an epoxy or something?

Right now they are not really a visual issue.

Just don't want to slowly watch the dash go downhill in front of me over time.

Thanks.

Park the car in a climate controlled environment.

[LAnNYCGuy]

Originally Posted by George928

Park the car in a climate controlled environment.

Car spends much of it's time in one.

BUT, unless I'm going to not drive it during the day, not 100% possible.

And, for example, a local dealer parked it outside in the hot san fernando valley sun for two hours in advance of my pick up from last service.

But I do my best.

[kghjr]

Can't help you with repair advice but to keep it from getting worse, protect it from getting direct sun, DashMat brand for keeping sun off, tinted windows for keeping sun out, even the lightest tint has 99% UV protection. Get 3M, imo. The darker tints are a RPITA at night, makes if difficult to read street signs or unlit stuff that you could normally read easily.

This is the Ultimate material, they have 5 choices