Home |  Index |  Submit Request |  Share Photos |  Share Tips |  Active Topics |  New Feedback  |  Contact Us  |  Search
 User Login:  Username:    Password:      Forgot It?  | Join ThriftyFun!

 Popular Topics
 - Beauty
 - Budget and Finance
 - Christmas *
 - Cleaning
 - Consumer Advice
 - Craft Projects
 - Craft Tips
 - Food Tips
 - Garage Sales
 - Gardening
 - Gifts
 - Green Living
 - Home Improvement
 - Organizing
 - Parenting
 - Parties
 - Pest Control
 - Pets
 - Product Reviews
 - Recipes
 - Repair
 - Thanksgiving
 - Weddings for Less

More Topics

Google Search:

Web thriftyfun.com

About:
RSS Feed
About Us
Media
Advertising
Contact Us
Privacy Statement
Disclaimer

Solution for Cracked Dashboard

1x1
Date: 11/07/2004 Topics: Cars > Advice | Readers Request > Cars  
1x1
1x1
Post Feedback! | Email Friend | Print | Get Responses | Bookmark | del.icio.us | Link | Rate: Thumbs Up Thumbs Down
Does anyone out there know how to stop a crack in the dashboard of a car? We're a little tight on money right now and can't afford to have it professionally done. We aren't looking to repair it right now, only to stop it before it gets worse! thanks!

Alica from Missouri
Jump to Feedback | Post feedback
Related Links:
Previous: Use H-O-L-L-Y to Beat Christmas Cooking Stress ThriftyFun Next: Small Christmas Gift Ideas
1x1
 Feedback
1x1
1x1
1x1
1x1
 Sponsors
1x1
1x1

Post by jld (9) | (11/08/2004)
Contact
This is more of a preventive than a cure, but will at least help prevent future cracks. Use ArmorAll or some similar type of conditioner about once a month. It conditions your dash and adds a nice shine too. When I couldn't afford the conditioner I even used vaseline. Its a little more work to rub it in and get all the residue off, but it works.


Post By sicl (Guest Post) (11/08/2004)
I wonder if the process would be similar as used for windshields and the plastic in refridgerators? I have had both problems. The first step is to carefully (slowly) drill a hole, using a small bit, at the tip of the crack. By tip, I mean the end where the crack is expanding. This stops the crack from progressing. Then fill the exisiting crack and drill hole. I would assume any vinyl repair goo the color of your dash as described in the other post would work well.


Post By Tori (Guest Post) (11/07/2004)
Check your auto parts department at places like Walmart. I have seen repair kits for the vinyl in car interiors to repair vinyl seats, etc. which come with several color vials so you can mix colors for a better match. I think they are under $20.00, but I have never tried them so I don't know how well they work. If Walmart, K-mart, or Target don't have this item, then try an auto parts store like Auto Zone, Advanced Auto, Pep Boys, etc.

My second suggestion is a more frugal one just for appearances. You could just place duct tape over the cracks to prevent them from enlarging, and then use something like fabric (fleece, velour, felt, canvas, etc.) contact paper, rubberized (or not) shelf liner, or a scrap of carpet that complements your car interior over the top of the whole dash as a temporary cosmetic fix. I've seen custom made fabric dashboard covers in auto parts catalogs like J.C. Whitney, but these can get very expensive. If you decide to go this route, you may want to remove the dashboard so you can more precisely cut the hole where your defroster vent is near the windshield. Good luck!


1x1

Post Feedback:
Login using the form on the top of the page to post feedback if you have registered with ThriftyFun. If you have not yet registered, click here. It's FREE!. If you are not registered you can post feedback as a guest below. Please don't use your email address for your name because spam robots can dredge it from our site. Please do not post your feedback more than ONCE. We need to approve all guest feedback and it may take from minutes to hours for that to happen.
(1x1 graphic )
Your Name

Subject

Feedback

text tool text tool text tool text tool

Image Upload: Add an image to your post! Click the "Browse" button below and select an image from your hard drive. Please only select gifs or jpegs. If you have any problems, just email the image to images@thriftyfun.com

  

If you want to post your email address for responses from readers, obscure it in some way like put spaces between the name and @ sign and service address with (remove spaces) behind it or name (at) server (dot) com . This is for your protection from those creepy Robots.

(1x1 graphic )

© 1997-2008 ThriftyFun.com - Design by Cumuli Design
Disclaimer: ThriftyFun.com cannot accept any responsibility for any injury or damage that you may cause to yourself, others, or property when following any advice given on this site. Read the full disclaimer. If you find any information on ThriftyFun.com or in our newsletters that is either erroneous and/or potentially harmful to others, please Contact Us, immediately.