Stop small crack in dask from spreading?

[uhhair]

I have a very, very tiny crack on the top corner of my glove box on my dashboard. Anyone have any methods to stop it from spreading, outside of not leaving it in the sun? Just looking to see if there is a product or fix, kinda like they do for windshields when you have a tiny crack! Thanks!

[PJ Grady Inc.]

Sorry but your dash is doomed!!!! There is no gentle way to break this news to you. Go buy yourself an icecream and relax a bit. You deserve it.
Rob



I have a very, very tiny crack on the top corner of my glove box on my dashboard. Anyone have any methods to stop it from spreading, outside of not leaving it in the sun? Just looking to see if there is a product or fix, kinda like they do for windshields when you have a tiny crack! Thanks!

[refugeefromcalif]

I had a similar crack start the beginning of last winter.

34876

When I noticed it, it was ¼ long. I hit it with Super glue but, as you can see, It advanced to the windshield.

George

[Mark D]

You could try drilling a stop hole at the end of the crack. Google crack stop hole for more info

[Ryan King]

Your answer....

http://www.dashmat.com/products/index.phtml?prod_id=signature&cust_id=dashmat&SYSTEM=cartlink&SESSIONID=&ACTION=

[uhhair]

Well this thread has been depressing! I'm not going to buy a dashmat, I personally hate the look of them. I'd rather buy and install a new dash than use a mat.

I guess I'll look into the stop hole method. According to everyone else, I have nothing to lose by trying!

[Mark D]

Well this thread has been depressing! I'm not going to buy a dashmat, I personally hate the look of them. I'd rather buy and install a new dash than use a mat.

I guess I'll look into the stop hole method. According to everyone else, I have nothing to lose by trying!

The stop hole doesn't need to be very large, if you add a drop of glue after the hole is drilled that would also help mask it. At that point you could try to fill the rest of the crack too and touch it up with some vinyl dye and a fine brush. It might not look perfect but I agree that the dash mats look much worse.

These vinyl repair kits might be worth looking into for a more seamless fill of the crack.

http://3mauto.com/products/miscellaneous-repair/3m-leather-and-vinyl-repair-kit-08579.html

If you decide to repaint the dash after you fix the crack Acura Charcoal from SEM is a good color match. It's a discontinued color but people on the board here have stockpiles if you need a can.

[PJ Grady Inc.]

Yes they aren't as pretty as a nice dashboard but is a good way to slow down further damage. It should at least be used when the car is sitting out in the sun with the windows rolled up when possible. The hole may slow down the progression but will look funky enough that you'll want to hide it anyway.
I have a better solution coming but cannot devulge the info just yet.
Rob
P.S. Dash repairs don't usually last long unless you're doing a full strip and recondition.

Well this thread has been depressing! I'm not going to buy a dashmat, I personally hate the look of them. I'd rather buy and install a new dash than use a mat.

I guess I'll look into the stop hole method. According to everyone else, I have nothing to lose by trying!

[Ryan S.]

What do you guys think about wrapping it with 3M Carbon fiber wrap or something similar? Our dash is pretty flat so shouldn't be that tough. I was thinking about doing it with carbon fiber wrap. Not sure if that would have any windshield reflection issue or not. Check out these guys. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swoBhuvsu_k

[uhhair]

The crack is so small right now, maybe a 1/4 inch, that I wouldn't repaint the dash for it. however I do think I'll buy this kit and attempt a repair. I'll post pictures of before/after in case anyone else is contemplating this type of repair!


The stop hole doesn't need to be very large, if you add a drop of glue after the hole is drilled that would also help mask it. At that point you could try to fill the rest of the crack too and touch it up with some vinyl dye and a fine brush. It might not look perfect but I agree that the dash mats look much worse.

These vinyl repair kits might be worth looking into for a more seamless fill of the crack.

http://3mauto.com/products/miscellaneous-repair/3m-leather-and-vinyl-repair-kit-08579.html

If you decide to repaint the dash after you fix the crack Acura Charcoal from SEM is a good color match. It's a discontinued color but people on the board here have stockpiles if you need a can.

[uhhair]

Really bumming me out Rob! Haha if it looks bad I'll just buy a new dash worst case ontario. The crack is so small right now that even a repair attempt wouldn't be any more noticeable than the crack at this point, so we'll see if I can stave off the bad news and kick the can down the road for a couple years so to speak.


Yes they aren't as pretty as a nice dashboard but is a good way to slow down further damage. It should at least be used when the car is sitting out in the sun with the windows rolled up when possible. The hole may slow down the progression but will look funky enough that you'll want to hide it anyway.
I have a better solution coming but cannot devulge the info just yet.
Rob
P.S. Dash repairs don't usually last long unless you're doing a full strip and recondition.

[PJ Grady Inc.]

Yes I'm told I can have that effect on people. The Dashmat would be your best hope for staving off the inevitable ITMT.
Rob


Really bumming me out Rob! Haha if it looks bad I'll just buy a new dash worst case ontario. The crack is so small right now that even a repair attempt wouldn't be any more noticeable than the crack at this point, so we'll see if I can stave off the bad news and kick the can down the road for a couple years so to speak.

[David T]

The crack is so small right now, maybe a 1/4 inch, that I wouldn't repaint the dash for it. however I do think I'll buy this kit and attempt a repair. I'll post pictures of before/after in case anyone else is contemplating this type of repair!

Even with a repair or a new dash you will want to protect it from the sun to prevent it from getting worse or happening again. That means keeping the car in the garage, the shade, a dashmat or a sun protector. Once the underlying foam starts to split the vinyl covering will just keep tearing. No fix will prevent the foam from continuing to split. Between aging and sun damage it is done. Drilling a hole, IMHO, is not going to work so don't even try.

[mluder]

Google crack stop hole for more info

That seems like an extremely dangerous Google search term...

Cheers
Steven

[NJP548]

That seems like an extremely dangerous Google search term...

Cheers
Steven

Obviously care should be taken when searching for that. Definitely don't do it at work. Maybe at night when everyone is asleep. Just in case.

-Nick Pitello

[Mark D]

Even with a repair or a new dash you will want to protect it from the sun to prevent it from getting worse or happening again. That means keeping the car in the garage, the shade, a dashmat or a sun protector. Once the underlying foam starts to split the vinyl covering will just keep tearing. No fix will prevent the foam from continuing to split. Between aging and sun damage it is done. Drilling a hole, IMHO, is not going to work so don't even try.

Drilling a hole will stop the crack from continuing to propagate. I've seen it work on many materials including steel, glass, wood, and vinyl. I drilled a tiny 1/64" hole in my original binnacle skin where a crack had started to form and it has not grown any further in 2 years. The maximum stress found in a crack is at the point of smallest diameter at the very tip of the crack. Drilling a hole relieves the stress concentration at this point and spreads the stress along a greater area.

With only a 1/4" crack the outer surface, the underlying foam beneath the vinyl layer has probably not even started to split. Even if the foam has started to crack a small hole will still help in preventing the outer skin of vinyl from cracking along with the foam.

To drill the hole in my binnacle I used hobby type hand drill similar to this:
34900

[Ryan King]

Well this thread has been depressing! I'm not going to buy a dashmat, I personally hate the look of them.

I used to think the same exact way. Honestly. But the "Dashmat" brand mat is superior. Doesnt shed. Its cut perfectly and really looks swell. Wish I had bought one sooner before my glove box lid cracked. *Sigh*.
Ill snap a photo for you when I get the chance.

[uhhair]

Please take a photo, I'd be interested in seeing this. Thanks!


I used to think the same exact way. Honestly. But the "Dashmat" brand mat is superior. Doesnt shed. Its cut perfectly and really looks swell. Wish I had bought one sooner before my glove box lid cracked. *Sigh*.
Ill snap a photo for you when I get the chance.

[Ryan S.]

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8257/8696995385_5181c6d4ab_c.jpg Here is mine