I found a small crack on my dashboard, how to prevent it from expanding?

[idobref]

Hey guys i bought my e30 few weeks ago and i recently noticed a small crack (about 3/4 inch long) on the passange side

I was wondering if theres any DIYs how to fix it...

the crack is not bugging me at the moment, but im affraid it will expand, so maybe a solution how to fix it ?

thanks

[Wh33lhop]

There is not much out there that actually works. If it's not visible from the passenger's seat, try drilling a small hole at either end of the crack to keep it from expanding. That will distribute the "tearing" pressure over a larger area and help quite a bit. Also, it never hurts to use sunshades and/or park in garaged areas.

[idobref]

yeah, i actually always use sunshade when i park it!

how about if i fill it with some crazy glue? or maybe some kind of a filler or something?
drilling will be almost impossible because its very close to the windshield...

[Wh33lhop]

You could try filling it with something but IIRC that really doesn't work too well. Try searching.

[stumble_t]

I's say drilling a hole is the best way to stop it, then use this

[idobref]

just drilled the holes :P

Im about to order the 303 product

thanks!

[nadodude111]

Would liquid bandaid help at all?

[Jand3rson]

If mine ever gets a big crack again (already replaced it once, and the current one has a few very small ones in the storage area), I'm just going to pull it and have it flocked.



DTM and Rally cars flock the dash, as well as many other kinds of racing. Cuts out glare 100%, and is pretty much non-fuck-up-able.

[e34john]

^
Where do you get that stuff?

I was going to drill my small crack and then fill it with that vinyl repair stuff but that flocked dash looks cool.

[george graves]

I'm just going to pull it and have it flocked.

DTM and Rally cars flock the dash, as well as many other kinds of racing. Cuts out glare 100%, and is pretty much non-fuck-up-able.

I'm going to have to look at flocking closer next time I see it. But, on the whole, not impressed.

[dnova89]

I guess for a racecar it's okay because of the whole glare thing, but for a street car it just makes the interior look like crap IMO

[margas]

Agreed, those dashes don't look good at all. For the crack how about putting a little dab of epoxy? Just don't make a mess out of it.

[AndrewBird]

What causes cracks is different expansion/contraction rates between the vinyl and foam in the dash. One shrinks more/less then the other and you get a crack. As vinyl gets older and is subjected to UV rays, it becomes less and less flexible. This is why it is a good idea to use a protectant to keep the vinyl pliable so it can flex/stretch more.

Gluing the crack won't really help. If anything it will make it worse as a crack would relieve some pressure where as gluing it back solid is just going to be back wear it was before it cracked.