I had an idea to run past everyone ...

2 summers ago, I got a pristine dashpad. I also have a pristine console cover, a really mint shifter plate, and just replaced any and all non-mint plastics to mint pieces on the interior. Last winter my interior parts spent inside the house, while my car was at body shop. This winter, she's home in the cold winter air. I have no garage - best I can do is a $89 car canopy (6 tent poles with a large tarp) and a car cover. I need to be able to drive her during the better days of winter, but am concerned about the cold cracking the dashpad.

My idea: I have a heat rock from a lizard cage - it's 110v and just gets warm when plugged in - the idea was to just put it into the car, plug it in. I know it won't keep the interior at 80 degrees or anything, but should keep it warm enough to keep things from cracking and breaking from the cold winter night temps right? It's not something that would have much potential for a fire hazard (like an electric blanket could), not a light that would bust or fade anything - thoughts?
Thoughts?

 

I do not think it is a bad idea. However, keep in mind UV rays cause a lot of the damage. Certainly if you press on a cold dash pad it will crack. However, most of the cracked parts you see on our cars is due to U.V. ray exposure which causes the plastic to harden and get brittle.

I think you may be better served by using a U.V. reducing product like in the link below. I have used this stuff and never had any issues.

http://www.myboatstore.com/aerospaceprotectant.asp

 

I used to worry about cracks. Living in South Dakota extreme cold winters were normal. I never had a dash pad crack in the winter. In the summer I use some kind of a sunshade, and haven't had a problem since. I wouldn't worry too much about keeping the parts warm. I don't think it's as much a risk as UV and high temps.

Several years ago I got into the habit of removing the dash pad and setting them out on a nice hot summer day and soak it down in Armor All, letting it soak. After an hour or two, wipe off the excess and the plastic will hold the shine and it will keep the material pliable. The cracks come from the plastic drying out and shrinking.

 

armor all is probably the WORST thing you can put on a dash pad if you dont consistently use it.

there are tons of better products out there....i use this stuff that comes in a green bottle its called 303 aerospace protectant.

Came with a soft tonneau cover for my truck. Instructions for the cover explicitly say to use anything but armor all and give a small bottle of this stuff free.

on the edit: check the link 2 posts above me.

 

I will second the aerospace protectant! I used it on everything from my dash to headlights and tail lights in all of my cars. When used regularly it eliminates fogging and yellowing in clean lenses.

Good Stuff!

 

When I had to park some of my vehicles outside, I used the tent/tarp contraption because I also wanted to be able to drive them on the nicer winter days.

I used one of those small 110v cube heaters meant for under a desk in an office to keep warm. I placed it in the back with the fan blowing forward. The thing I liked about it was it had a thermostat so it wasn't constantly on. Had a safety shut off feature if tipped over or overheated also. If you try this, don't go too warm or condensation will develop along with ice and other not so pleasant stuff.

Keep an eye out for pests if you're not going to drive it for an extended period of time. Mice really suck