Dashboard crack starting

Post Mon Oct 21, 2013 12:57 am

My interior is very clean on my touring, but i noticed this little crack which i missed when i viewed the car.

Was wondering can i use something to make sure it doesn't get worse & something that wont be noticeable??

Post Mon Oct 21, 2013 1:20 am

Very,very difficult to obtain a seamless repair.

I have had some success,however,using Evostick applied with a matchstick,then painting to match.

Post Mon Oct 21, 2013 8:12 am

Before I would fill it (though I've never tried the method above) i would drill a 2mm hole at either end of the crack which will spread the stress and load placed upon the crack which would normally make it larger.

Post Mon Oct 21, 2013 9:25 am

Good idea to drill small hole at each end as march109 has said.

That is a thin crack but if you have wider cracks try the following:

In SA we get a Pratley product called "Wonda Fix" which is a flexable epoxy mix that comes in clear or black...if you can find it obviously get the black.

Now the trick is to try and get the "wrinkeled grain" pattern on the surface to match the rest of the dash as apposed to a smooth finish.

First trim the edges of the crack with a blade if they are protruding above the dash surface. Now take some flexible material such as Plastercine or "Presstick" which is a white gum-type substance that you use to stick notices onto a wall.

On a nearby section of the dash that is still in good shape..smear a thin layer of Vaseline on it (or Q40) and press a section of this Presstick over it so that the Presstick picks up the pattern from the dash.

Mix the black epoxy together and level it nicely with the dash....now spray a fine amount of Q40 on the patterned section of your Presstick piece and press it over the crack with the wet epoxy in it making sure you maintain the direction of the "grain" that the Presstick has.

An Hour later pull off the Presstick and hopefully you have reasonable patched area with a grain on it to match the rest of the dash!

Post Mon Oct 21, 2013 1:27 pm

thats a good guide! if you get it done, take some pics and maybe someone could sticky it as cracked dashes are everywhere!

Post Mon Oct 21, 2013 3:40 pm

Very clever bill

Post Mon Oct 21, 2013 3:45 pm

Billwill wrote:Good idea to drill small hole at each end as march109 has said.

Great write up, but I can't take credit for my tip its an ancient BrianMooooreism.

Post Mon Oct 21, 2013 4:10 pm

i'm happy with my temp fix........

meet Ulrich

Post Mon Oct 21, 2013 4:22 pm

Bloody shame these dash cracks! When I last had e30's about 7 years ago I don't think I'd ever seen a cracked dash, now lots are.
If you have an uncracked dash is there any way of preventing it in the future??

Post Mon Oct 21, 2013 4:39 pm

magpie wrote:i'm happy with my temp fix........

meet Ulrich

Looks a little like 'er indoors on a good day...

Good

to drill a tiny hole at each end of the crack,as the OP's was so tiny I did not feel that it was justified!

My main problem was finding/mixing paint to give a decent match...
At the end of the day,sourcing and fitting an unmarked dash is the best answer.

Post Mon Oct 21, 2013 5:01 pm

Good idea with the drilling and pressing the pattern out...

As to stop or curtail the cracks Saab 900's have the same problem and mine has cracked, fortunately got a spare uncracked one to replace it but the bods on the Saab forums suggest a anti-uv protectant similar to this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303-Aerospace ... 1245956572

Post Mon Oct 21, 2013 5:40 pm

are there any sort of treatments (bar the usual car care products) ie a chemical/oil of some sort to feed them a little and prevent and rejuvinate/supple them up at all ?

what would be great is if someone designed and made a really smart e30 shaped dash sun cover sheet type thing made to perfect shape

Post Mon Oct 21, 2013 8:21 pm

polsta wrote:
what would be great is if someone designed and made a really smart e30 shaped dash sun cover sheet type thing made to perfect shape

On Australian ebay

Post Mon Oct 21, 2013 9:15 pm

magpie wrote:i'm happy with my temp fix........

meet Ulrich

hahaha thats the best fix i've seen so far!

Post Thu Oct 24, 2013 3:39 am

I got mine cracking too. I think I am gonna order one covered in leather from German eBay or have it done here locally in Kazakhstan.

Post Thu Oct 24, 2013 7:33 pm

i was told to use autoglym vinyl and rubber care by a classic car trader its supposed to keep it supple and it smells nice too and gives a nice shine

Post Thu Oct 24, 2013 9:23 pm

The whole dash or just the crack??

Post Thu Oct 24, 2013 9:52 pm

moggie wrote:i was told to use autoglym vinyl and rubber care by a classic car trader its supposed to keep it supple and it smells nice too and gives a nice shine

that is what i use, its the best e30 interior cleaning product ive found, tried many , use it on the dash, console, seat backs, door card vinyl, external rubber trimm (brings up screen rubber great)

excellent stuff, brings up a slight shine at 1st, but after a couple of days it dulls, and lasts looking good for a long time