Dash pad restoration

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10-28-2019, 07:15 AM

Fullmonte77

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Car: 85 Berlinetta

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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.

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10-28-2019, 08:45 AM

Fullmonte77

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Car: 85 Berlinetta

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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.

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11-04-2019, 06:24 PM

seanof30306

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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.

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11-04-2019, 09:10 PM

Alfisti

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Car: 1986 Contempo Cantara Camaro

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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.

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11-05-2019, 06:40 AM

naf

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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.

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11-05-2019, 09:04 AM

ironwill

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Car: 1986 IROC Z

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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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11-05-2019, 10:20 AM

PMDJIM

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Car: 84 Trans Am

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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.

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11-07-2019, 08:13 PM

seanof30306

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Car: 1989 Formula WS6

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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

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11-07-2019, 08:33 PM

Fullmonte77

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Car: 85 Berlinetta

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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.

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