Dash pad restoration

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Oct 28, 2019 | 07:15 AM

Fullmonte77

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Joined: Nov 2018

Posts: 247

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From: Kylertown,PA

Car: 85 Berlinetta

Engine: 350

Transmission: T5

Axle/Gears: 10 bolt 3.42 with Torsen posi

Dash pad restoration

What can I use to recondition a dash pad? I'm lucky enough to have an 85 Camaro with an uncracked original dash pad. I have it removed from the car and would like to soften it up with something before putting it back in.

Oct 28, 2019 | 08:39 AM

T.L.

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Joined: Sep 1999

Posts: 3,004

Likes: 813

From: Colorado USA

Car: '83 Firebird (T/A Clone)

Engine: 350 with L-69 components

Transmission: 700R-4, 2000 RPM stall converter

Axle/Gears: 10-bolt/3.73 ..

Re: Dash pad restoration

It's not gonna soften back up...

Oct 28, 2019 | 08:45 AM

Fullmonte77

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Member

iTrader: (3)

Joined: Nov 2018

Posts: 247

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From: Kylertown,PA

Car: 85 Berlinetta

Engine: 350

Transmission: T5

Axle/Gears: 10 bolt 3.42 with Torsen posi

Re: Dash pad restoration

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.L.

It's not gonna soften back up...

Then what can I do to keep it from cracking? Other than not bumping it or hitting it.

Nov 4, 2019 | 06:24 PM

seanof30306

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Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 1,613

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From: Tulsa, OK

Car: 1989 Formula WS6

Engine: L03 305 TBI

Transmission: T-5

Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt; 3.42 Posi

Re: Dash pad restoration

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fullmonte77

Then what can I do to keep it from cracking? Other than not bumping it or hitting it.

I'm really interested in this as well. With as expensive as these things are, seems like keeping them from cracking is a pretty important.

Nov 4, 2019 | 09:10 PM

Alfisti

Junior Member

Joined: Oct 2018

Posts: 64

Likes: 2

From: Portland, Oregon

Car: 1986 Contempo Cantara Camaro

Engine: LG4 5.0 V8

Transmission: T5 5 -speed

Axle/Gears: 3.23

Re: Dash pad restoration

The only product I would use is Aerospace 303 UV Protectant.

I would also consider some sort of dash cover or winshield shade to help keep sun off it.

Nov 5, 2019 | 06:40 AM

naf

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iTrader: (7)

Joined: May 2004

Posts: 5,337

Likes: 71

From: Lexington, SC

Car: 1987 SC/1985 TA

Engine: 350/vortec/fitech

Transmission: T56

Axle/Gears: 3.27 9-bolt

Re: Dash pad restoration

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fullmonte77

Then what can I do to keep it from cracking? Other than not bumping it or hitting it.

keep it at room temperature. high temps and age dry it out through off gassing then cold temps crack it from thermal contraction.

Nov 5, 2019 | 09:04 AM

ironwill

Supreme Member

Joined: Jan 2008

Posts: 1,331

Likes: 565

Car: 1986 IROC Z

Engine: 5.0 TPI

Transmission: 700R4

Axle/Gears: 3.23 Posi

Re: Dash pad restoration

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fullmonte77

Then what can I do to keep it from cracking? Other than not bumping it or hitting it.

There's not much you can do to help 30-year-old plastic other than keeping it out of the sun and not exposing it to temperature extremes.

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Nov 5, 2019 | 09:47 AM

T.L.

Supreme Member

Joined: Sep 1999

Posts: 3,004

Likes: 813

From: Colorado USA

Car: '83 Firebird (T/A Clone)

Engine: 350 with L-69 components

Transmission: 700R-4, 2000 RPM stall converter

Axle/Gears: 10-bolt/3.73 ..

Re: Dash pad restoration

Don't use ANYTHING that has silicone in it. I'll PM you & tell you what I use...

Nov 5, 2019 | 10:20 AM

PMDJIM

Junior Member

Joined: Aug 2014

Posts: 36

Likes: 11

Car: 84 Trans Am

Engine: 5.0

Transmission: Auto

Axle/Gears: 3:23

Re: Dash pad restoration

I heard from an old timer long ago that the lemon oil in furniture polish helps keep vinyl and plastic from drying out. I use it on my cars, but they are garaged. Can't say for certain it works.

Nov 7, 2019 | 08:13 PM

#10

seanof30306

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iTrader: (4)

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 1,613

Likes: 10

From: Tulsa, OK

Car: 1989 Formula WS6

Engine: L03 305 TBI

Transmission: T-5

Axle/Gears: 10 Bolt; 3.42 Posi

Re: Dash pad restoration

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alfisti

The only product I would use is Aerospace 303 UV Protectant.

I would also consider some sort of dash cover or winshield shade to help keep sun off it.

This one?

https://www.amazon.com/303-30382-Protectant-plastic-finished/dp/B0185PU38A/ref=sr_1_4?gclid=Cj0KCQiAno_uBRC1ARIsAB496IWSNU_J0DVKeFr23H3fP_QA1NBVUdU4JHUYwhn4ICiaUVJBVzDaWEEaAlNdEALw_wcB&hvadid=177589187752&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9026542&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=5860771822748576293&hvtargid=kwd-86857911212&keywords=303+uv+aerospace+protectant&qid=1573179140&sr=8-4

Or this one?

https://www.amazon.com/303-30306-Aerospace-Protectant-Furniture/dp/B000XBCURW/ref=sr_1_2?gclid=Cj0KCQiAno_uBRC1ARIsAB496IWSNU_J0DVKeFr23H3fP_QA1NBVUdU4JHUYwhn4ICiaUVJBVzDaWEEaAlNdEALw_wcB&hvadid=177589187752&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9026542&hvnetw=g&hvpos=1t1&hvqmt=e&hvrand=5860771822748576293&hvtargid=kwd-86857911212&keywords=303+uv+aerospace+protectant&qid=1573179140&sr=8-2

Nov 7, 2019 | 08:33 PM

#11

Fullmonte77

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Member

iTrader: (3)

Joined: Nov 2018

Posts: 247

Likes: 117

From: Kylertown,PA

Car: 85 Berlinetta

Engine: 350

Transmission: T5

Axle/Gears: 10 bolt 3.42 with Torsen posi

Re: Dash pad restoration

I’m gonna try some of the 303 protectant. For now I have it removed and will keep it inside out of the cold weather. It is still pretty soft not hard at all so the previous owners must have used something on it.