Dash longivity

[Rev Run D]

My dash has a small but annoying crack in it. Thinking of replacing it, or flocking it, but if I were to replace it with an uncracked dash, what's to keep it from cracking again?

[frolf]

There are a lot of theories on what to apply to the plastic to keep it from cracking. I'm not sure there is a magic product out there that can undo 25 years of plastic aging. I just installed a dash that had two hairline cracks in the tray of the passenger side. I drilled two very small relief holes at the end of each crack to hopefully stop the spread. To prevent cracking I am going to use a sun shade and then pray to the e30 gods.

[TimeMachinE30]

UV being the main enemy, I'd say a sunshade and a quality interior dressing like Aerospace 303 or Poorboys World Natural Look; both are mixed with UV inhibitors.

Products like Armor All contain petroleum distillates which can degrade plastics. Not all interior dressings are equal.

[chick]

On my last E30, Ruby, the dash was trashed. I bought a crack free dash fro $200 and did the install. 6 months later, even though I used a sun shade, the cracks began. By the end of 9 months, it was in the same shape as the one I pulled.
On this car, I put in a dash cap. Looks pretty good, you can only tell from inside the car. When I get a spare $900 I will buy a brand new one from BMW, and get 25 more years out of it.

[mrcheezle19]

I've been using olive oil for pretty good success. My cracks haven't spread in over 2 years. One in the tray and another on the corner of tray toward the ac vent. Plus it gives a nice look to the dash and a pleasant smell I think.

Even though I have a super nice and still soft crack free dash I will probably just get a cap and wrap it in alcantara. Best thing in my opinion.

[E30NJ]

My dash is crack free :bow: and I applied Armour all once. Hasn't cracked yet but should I do something else such as a sunshade? What do you guys think?

[KIRIEIW]

Dash longivity

I've tried many products and the best I've found to be was "Klasse". OP, I bought it from the BMW parts center at Peter Pan BMW in San Mateo if your interested in trying it. I've also tried the 303 which is absolutely way to shinny for my taste (looks like armor-all, possibly more shinny). I'd defiantly chose the Klasse



Here's a pic with "Klasse" on the dash;

[Vivek]

^There's no way 303 is shinier than that pic. You must have applied it wrong. It's a matte sheen, not a glossy shine.

[Benjamin_Button]

The secret in addition to sun shade and lube is a dash mat. Fight ask you want but it has proven results. That's the price you pay I guess.

[KIRIEIW]

It did appear a lot more shinny in that pic then it really is, here's another angle. My 303 definitely isn't this close to a mate finish. I apply by spraying on a microfiber and wiping the dash down.

Klasse:



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[Aleman]

My crack is dash free


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[AndrewBird]

I really like Meguiar's NXT Tech Protect:



Matte shine, smells good (lol) and has all the protecting goodies you want/need.

FYI, brand new dashes use the newer style vinyl found in E34/36's and is much less prone to cracking.

[88BlackS-ETA]

When I got my car the dash was crack free until one cold night it cracked straight down the middle. I used multiple products on it and parked facing north. In the end it will crack, its just old.

This is what I did to fix/prevent my dash from cracking.... Its not the cheapest but it WILL work..................

http://www.getbmwparts.com/parts/ind...&siteid=214672

[cpandrewschmidt]

I have two small cracks in corners of those the little pods on the top of the dash above the glove box. Less than half inch each.

What are your thoughts on putting some JB Weld in the seams and smoothing out? With some touch up paint you'd never notice. I'm wondering if that'd help hold them together so it doesn't spread any further.

Thoughts?

Andrew

[KIRIEIW]

When I got my car the dash was crack free until one cold night it cracked straight down the middle. I used multiple products on it and parked facing north. In the end it will crack, its just old.

This is what I did to fix/prevent my dash from cracking.... Its not the cheapest but it WILL work..................

http://www.getbmwparts.com/parts/ind...&siteid=214672

Wow didn't realize there that "cheap", I always assumed they where in the $1000's brand new.