repairing a cracked dash

[944cop]

Found this link on the basics to complete vinyl dash repairs.
http://www.clean-image.co.uk/articles/vinyl-repair.htm

and this link for a uk product as the rest all seem to be in the states.
http://www.repairproducts.co.uk/

Has anyone actually tried to refurb a dash before as to do it I think would mean the removal of the dash. I am going to have a go I think but if anyone has any tips it will be much appreciated, because even though it wil be the spare I still don't want to bodge it if I can help it.

 

[DivineE]

Never tried to refurbish one but having removed my dash today I would say remember the two screws hidden behind the pillars which go up the side of the window, the two behind the steering wheel which hold the black plastic trim either side and the one that connects the dash to the centre console down inside the middle of the dash. Those are the only tough ones.

Oh yes and when removing all the electrical plugs, lever them apart using a screw driver in the gap don't pull or you'll snap the plastic catches or pull all the wires out of one of the switches. (The second one I still managed to do!)

 

[944cop]

I am gonna swap mine as I managed to get an uncracked blue dash which according to other posts appear to be like rocking horse droppings so I thought I would have a go and repair the old one and have it as a spare so I can rotate the dashes as when necessary. I have taken a week off work to try and sort the little jobs out resulting from the car been off the road for months such as leaks and the boot hatch sticking so I thought it was a good a time as any to change the dash before April when I tax it.

 

[garyalanlane]

I don't know if you saw my post http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=472041&mpage=1&key=&#472041 but I found when I was repairing my seats I found a small hole in one of the backs which was made of vinyl. I found this very hard to match up compared to the leather because of trying to match the grain in the vinyl where as, the leather grain is nearly smooth. This is why I chose to replace my cracked dash instead of trying to repair it. Gary

 

[944cop]

Gotta say Gary that looks stunning how has it worn over the past year.

 

[Copperman05]

Out of curiosoty where does the oval dash tend to crack? Is there any way of preventing it in the first place?

Edd

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Out of curiosoty where does the oval dash tend to crack?

The thin bits between the demist vents, then spreading across the dash towards you.

Is there any way of preventing it in the first place?

Nothing I know of, it's a particle board backing that shrinks. I guess heat and sunlight would be the damaging factors, so never use the heater and only go out on dull days. [&:]

 

[garyalanlane]

It's worn a little on the plastic bead but the leather is completely fine. I might sand down the bead a bit more if I touch it in to give it a better key. Edd the dash usually cracks on the top above the speedo binnacle. Keeping it out of strong sunlight or covering it in the sun should stop it from cracking.

 

[Copperman05]

Thanks, I also use Vinylex a product specifically designed for vinyl, perhaps regular use will also reduce cracking, their website seems to hint that it does. http://www.lexol.com/vinindex.html

Makes the dash look like new too!

Edd