Preventing Dash Cracks, Once Wrapped?

[HerbE30]

Been planning on getting into the dash game. Long story short, I would like to wrap my dash in Alcantara w/small amounts of Ti-Stitch accents. My main concern is what can I do to prevent the dash from fissuring once the fabric has covered? I have considered removing the entire top layer, foam included. But I worry about fitment and the OEM look if the half/quarter inch is missing.

Any suggestions?

[jeffnhiscars]

If you remove the foam there's nothing left :)

[Mwishlist]

I don’t know much about wraps but plan on covering mine next winter. I do know that from watching my wife’s crack free dash start to crack, they start small. I think it would take a long while for a new crack to be large enough to show through a wrap covering.

Also would it be possible to put a very thin layer of padding between the dash and the wrap? Like when someone pads a steering wheel? a layer of padding it seems like that would give an extra layer that would keep cracks from showing through. No idea how that would affect wrapping it and adhesion etc.

[HerbE30]

That's true. Still though, may take some R&D.

I read an article that gave quite a bit of information regarding how the dash cracks. Apparently the most cracks occur during the transfer to cool. Essentially, when you leave the dash in the sunlight (under the magnifying power of the windshield) it will be fine, but once moved to the shade or cool, that is when it will crack(of course, typical expansion rules). The gentleman believes that covering them with cloth would stop this from occurring. But I don't know about the longevity and efficiency.

I would hate to spend a few hundred dollars in fabric and hours of tedium, only to turn around and do it again.

If I used padding I could run a diamond stitch. ;D



Anyone have experience with the dash foam removed? What is the material?

[dnguyen1963]

Slightly off topic...to prevent the dash from cracking, one can apply suntan lotion to absorb the harmful UV rays.

[digger]

It's the temperature, thermal stresses contraction and expansion

[HerbE30]

Slightly off topic...to prevent the dash from cracking, one can apply suntan lotion to absorb the harmful UV rays.

;D I tried using tanning lotion to make it darker... Now it's just red?

[IRON-E]

I don’t know much about wraps but plan on covering mine next winter. I do know that from watching my wife’s crack free dash start to crack, they start small. I think it would take a long while for a new crack to be large enough to show through a wrap covering.

Also would it be possible to put a very thin layer of padding between the dash and the wrap? Like when someone pads a steering wheel? a layer of padding it seems like that would give an extra layer that would keep cracks from showing through. No idea how that would affect wrapping it and adhesion etc.

That's true. Still though, may take some R&D.
I read an article that gave quite a bit of information regarding how the dash cracks. Apparently the most cracks occur during the transfer to cool. Essentially, when you leave the dash in the sunlight (under the magnifying power of the windshield) it will be fine, but once moved to the shade or cool, that is when it will crack(of course, typical expansion rules). The gentleman believes that covering them with cloth would stop this from occurring. But I don't know about the longevity and efficiency.

I would hate to spend a few hundred dollars in fabric and hours of tedium, only to turn around and do it again.

If I used padding I could run a diamond stitch. ;D

Anyone have experience with the dash foam removed? What is the material?

Here's what my brother is doing (auto upholstery pro) there's a process of filling the cracks. Then once that's prepped, it's left out in the sunlight for about 3 days, to make sure there are no other cracks arising. Cover the dash with a thin 1/8th inch of heavy duty foam and lay the dash cover on top.

For future care of any material, make sure to use a heavy towel over the dash (like mentioned earlier) or some other type of material that repels UV rays.
I'll be re-wrapping my dash in german vinyl in the future, to keep cost down.
All upholstery materials have risen in price lately, so leather or alcantara would be out of the question as it's expensive and a pain to take care of when openly exposed to the sun.

[dnguyen1963]

It's the temperature, thermal stresses contraction and expansion

Yep...and the UV rays have the most energy. If you let those rays absorbed by the dash then it gets hot and goes through expansion/contraction cycle leading to cracks eventually.