Repairing/stopping crack in dash pad??

[snake]

Any suggestions on what does or doesn't work to stop a crack in the dash pad from propogating??

I have a small crack at the extreme passenger side end of the dash pad that isn't really noticeable when the pad is installed but I'd like to prevent it from propogating out further. Is there a way to 'drill' the end like you can drill the end of a crack in sheet metal???

Thanks in advance.

[fordman]

drilling it would probably make a hugh mess. you might maybe be able to repair the crack witha vinyl repair kit. but i dont know i havent ever tried one of those kits. it would depend on how good the vinyl is. if its drying up. then it probably wouldnt work. but you could try it. i think the kits are about 10.00.

[FORDification]

If the crack wasn't very wide, I think I'd actually try some SuperGlue. It'll dry clear and is virtually indestructible. However, if the crack is starting to get wide, then the vinyl repair kit is probably the way to go, since it comes with stuff to fill the crack (like vinyl Bondo). Then you put a texture sheet on top of the filler and lay a hot iron on it to reproduce the vinyl texture.

The reason the pad is cracking is because it's drying out...so hit it with some vinyl treatment to soften the vinyl back up, and you might be able to get a few more years' use out of it.

[snake]

Yes, I realize that actually drilling it wouldn't work but I was just using that as an example for comparison. I was wondering if maybe 'poking' it with a hot nail or something might do the same as drilling a crack in metal or something.......if anyone had done something like that??

When you say 'vinyl treatment', are you referring to the Armor All type stuff??

[mljjones67]

The best place to find some real vinyl protectant is at your local detailer. What ever you do don't use Armour all. It actually dries it out faster. I have detailed cars for many years and only use a certain brand. It is a commercial grade and it works awesome. If you can't find any let me know I sale bottles of the stuff.

[fordman]

a small hot finish nail might work good. and then soften it up. then as a final to it use the repiar kit to fillin the crack and the nail hole.

[Ranchero50]

Shop rags soaked in baby oil. Let them sit on it for a couple days and it should come back fine. Try not to use anything with alcohol in it or silicone.

Biggest problem is the sun hitting the dash and cooking the oils out. It's either keep the sun and heat out or put the oil back in. Same for arms rests and seating.

Jamie

[Joe Kriston]

A carpetted dash cover would help...Jamie's right, the sun shining through the windshield is a big problem...Trouble is, the dash is cracking because the foam underneath it is drying out and shrinking, and something has got to give... just like when an asphalt driveway, or roof starts cracking...

[snake]

Hey 'jones',
What should I be looking for?

[fordman]

i was havin soem thoughts on cracked radio speaker areas. and i was wonderign since thsi is all foamm in this area. what woul dbe a good glue to glue the pseker area back to itself? i had considered abs cement. it is black. and gooy looking. and it does glue platic very good. how do you think it woul dreact on the speaker area foam?