I HAVE A DASH PAD IN ONE OF MY CAMAROS THAT IS FLAWLESS! HOW DO I KEEP IRT FROM EVER CRACKING LIKE THEY ALL DO? OVER THE LAST TEN YEARS I HAVE OWNED 20 3GEN CAMAROS AND ONLY 2 OF THEM HAVE HAD GOOD DASH PADS. IS ARARAL NOT GOOD TO USE? IVE HEARD IT WILL CAUSE CRAKING. ANY ADVISE WOULD BE NICE THANKS!!!

 

First advice....NO CAPS!!!
It's a forum, not a text war.
Look for vinyl and rubber protectants that have polymer protectants. Don't use silicon products. I use Maguires vinyl and rubber restorer/ protectant. Works great and lasts. Doesn't leave nasty residue and is not colored.
Keep in mind that one of the things that kills dash pads is temperature change. The pad can be well protected, but if it gets warmed up in the sun and the the temp drop sharply at night, or reverse, it will crack. The protectant will help keep it more flexible to prevent this, but extreme temps will still do it. There are many reasons why these cars really need covers if kept outside.

 

Agreed, best thing you can do it keep it out of the sun as much as possible. Garage it if you can, or at least put down a dash mat and window shades. There's a lot to be said for keeping your car out of the elements. Mine has been garaged for the ten years I've owned it, and has picked up zero extra sun or rain damage in that time (on top of the little it started with).

The wife's Falcon otoh has turned from new and smart into a beater, parked on the lawn outside over the same period. Especially the dash pad - big cracks and peeling.

 

I'd also recommend one of those fold-out inside windshield reflectors...it's gotta help. But yeah, the best thing you can do to avoid cracks is a quality vinyl/rubber protectant. I use the Meguiar's Natural Shine since it does a great job of protecting, but it isn't greasy/super shiny like armor all.

 

My car is kept in the shade, but I still use a dash mat along with the window shades.They make the shades that simply twist and fold into a little 12" circle, fast and easy, not the fold outs.

 

Double post.