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VERY LITTLE CRACK IN DASH - what to do?

RickB

Yoda
Offline
I noticed a small hairline crack (1.5") in the front of the dash on the passenger side today. Is there anything I can do to fix this & make it so this doesn't get worse?
This is in my 78 Midget (Frank).
 

aeronca65t

Great Pumpkin
Offline
Drill a small ( 1/16" ) hole at the each end of the crack. This will reduce the chance that it will "spread".
Then fill the crack with black RTV sealer and let it cure.
I've also seen folks fill these cracks with Bondo (body filler) that is dyed with a bit of black paint mixed in at the same time as the hardener.

The dash is off-gassing some of the oil and becoming more dry. You can slow down the "drying out" by keeping it in the shade and use a protectant spray. The common product is Armor-All but I think the "303" Protectant is better.
 

bugimike

Yoda
Offline
aeronca65t said:
Drill a small ( 1/16" ) hole at the each end of the crack. This will reduce the chance that it will "spread".
Then fill the crack with black RTV sealer and let it cure.
I've also seen folks fill these cracks with Bondo (body filler) that is dyed with a bit of black paint mixed in at the same time as the hardener.

The dash is off-gassing some of the oil and becoming more dry. You can slow down the "drying out" by keeping it in the shade and use a protectant spray. The common product is Armor-All but I think the "303" Protectant is better.

I would agree that the "303" is better. I have heard that, with time, Armor-All actually promotes deterioration! I have not found it to really help when I used it, and it left a film on the surface rather than penetrating to restore the softness!
 
Country flag
Offline
Mirror Glaze has a good vinyl cleaner conditioner.

If the crack gets too bad, there are dash caps available that are easy to install and looks nice.
 

terriphill

Darth Vader
Offline
zimmy said:
Eagle one nano protectant smokes the other!
plus , no greasy feeling! .........z

Where do you find this? I hates armour all cause it leaves a film that actually evaporates onto the windows in the Arkansas Summer heat. My dash is beautiful, but I want to keep it that way.
 
Country flag
Offline
I buy it by the Gallon and use it all my cars.
 

terriphill

Darth Vader
Offline
Thanks guys, just placed my order! t:smile:
 
OP
RickB

RickB

Yoda
Offline
Thank you, this will help keep an almost perfect dash in great shape! I use Meguiars already for other stuff, just didn't know it came so highly recommended. I may already have a bottle of the vinyl conditioner.

Right now the crack is hairline, so I would have to use a syringe to inject rtv into it. Does someone have an idea where to get one that would work for this application? RTV is thick stuff to try to force through a needle...
 
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