NEW OE Dash - How do I prevent cracks?

[565bbchevy]

I was able to pick up an original dash (different color) with almost zero cracks, from what I found only a small hair line crack on one corner of the speaker. I need to paint it to match my interior color but just curious if there is anything I can do to it to prevent it from cracking in the future?

I think the problem is you have a dash that already has cracks and I think they will just continue as time goes on no matter what you do, it's easier to preserve a "mint" dash with no cracks at all.

 

[Supa.Slo.SS]

I think the problem is you have a dash that already has cracks and I think they will just continue as time goes on no matter what you do, it's easier to preserve a "mint" dash with no cracks at all.

Well, I was going to place some epoxy/glue on the current crack in hopes of it not propagating more. It is less than half and inch long. But we shall see.

 

[84cutlasssupreme]

Hello everyone, as you all know the G-Body dashes are prone to crack BAD. 1 That being said I was able to pick up an original dash (different color) with almost zero cracks, from what I found only a small hair line crack on one corner of the speaker. I need to paint it to match my interior color but just curious if there is anything I can do to it to prevent it from cracking in the future? Special paint? Light layer of fiber glass, bondo, rhino liner (dont laugh). I just would really hate for this dash to crack after going through all that trouble of painting and switching out. Obviously, a dash cover would probably help but would like to not have to go that route if possible. Thanks in advance.

When I had my '84 Cutlass, I was fortunate to have it garage kept the 28 years I owned it. My dash was in perfect condition when I sold the car this spring. Never bought one of those dash covers but just a aluminum faced generic windshield cover.
Back in the 80s I did upholstery repair with car dealers (fixing cracked dashes, cigarette burns, redying carpets, etc.) I was told back then by my trainer never use Armor All on just about anything as it tended to dry the vinyl. So I never did. In fairness to them, they may have improved their product over all these years. Maguires has a vinyl protectant I liked; went on easy & had a low natural-looking sheen & you could also use it on your vinyl roof without streaking in the rain like some others.

Another thing, when you go to paint that dash, make sure you get a paint for vinyl & use a product like Sem Plastic & Leather Prep to prep the surface. $32 for a quart but it strips away your vinyl protectants & other residue & the surface is really going to be great for painting. If you don't want to spend the money a wax & grease remover worked for me too. Even used it for leather steering wheels.
I also used a Pre val sprayer for these small jobs since my paint was always mixed in a pint-sized can.
If you don't want to go this route, check out a company called Malco. They make plastic & carpet dyes in aerosal cans. They offer many colors ready to go. I don't know if they have colors dating back to the G-body days but I've used their light titanium in a Buick Lucerne with leather & it didn't wear off even on the driver's seat. Doesn't leave that dry powdery feel when it dries either. Again, I used the prep previously mentioned.

Hope this diatribe helps.