How to protect dash pads? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

kevinr1970 · 09-12-2006, 01:54 PM

So I have a nice dash pad for my Blazer and am looking at one for my truck.
How do I keep them from cracking and splitting???
The one in my truck was cherry when I bought it (the truck) 2 years ago but I looked at it the other day and it now has two huges splits in it.
Any ideas???

Joe67 · 09-12-2006, 02:17 PM

This is all I use on my vehicles. Available at most good auto part stores

http://www.303products.com/tech/inde...TOKEN=78630455

Eyegore · 09-12-2006, 02:54 PM

Here in phoenix, with interiors getting up into over the 100's we use dash mats, a cut to dash type of thin carpet material that is held in place with velcro. This stops the direct sunlight on the dash and usally preserves them.

jr2 · 09-12-2006, 04:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe67

This is all I use on my vehicles. Available at most good auto part stores

http://www.303products.com/tech/inde...TOKEN=78630455

I'll vouch for that. We have used 303 products on our boats for years. I use it on all of my pleather/vinyl products as well as all seals and anyting that could possibly dry out. I had a vinyl tonneau cover on my 80' GMC for 10 years and still looked new when I sold it. The truck sat outside all the time. You can't go wrong with that stuff.

If your local autoparts stores don't have it look for it at a Marine store.

kevinr1970 · 09-13-2006, 01:26 AM

Any idea how that stuff would interact with a painted or dyed dash pad?

89 crew · 09-13-2006, 01:53 AM

For years I have used silicone assembly lube for dashes. You can take a dash that is rock hard or even spliting and apply it and it will be soft the next day. The dash will look a bit shinny for a couple weeks but as it pulls it all in, the shine will go away. I can't tell you how it would work on pained I have never had to replace a dash I treated this way.

jr2 · 09-13-2006, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevinr1970

Any idea how that stuff would interact with a painted or dyed dash pad?

The dash pad in my GMC was painted (Previous owner, vinyl paint) and it never hurt it one bit. My door panels were painted by me, vinyl paint and they also were fine with 303 use.

**I however would test your application in a small inconspicuos area just to be safe.

84 400 · 09-13-2006, 02:44 PM

wow let me just say this is a great thread. This is always i big prob on these trucks. my 84 has an aftermarket dash from lmc or some one and it is junk man. it is warped from the sun but not cracked.

Any ideas on how to fix the sag??
thanks

pcmcobra · 09-13-2006, 03:48 PM

thx for the tip,
going to try and find some 303!

drillingmachine · 09-13-2006, 11:40 PM

I've used ArmorAll for years on my dash, works great on my stock dash. I can't say it will work for cheaply made repros. Put a good amount on the dash, it should absorb it well. It's the heat that dries the dash, making it britle and crack.

86swb · 09-14-2006, 04:50 PM

I will be getting some of the free stuff they offer and try it myself. Thanks for the address.

**john** · 09-14-2006, 05:07 PM

303 here too. Buy it at marine store. Works great on leather seats too and they dont feel slick like some of the others.

gldevall · 09-14-2006, 10:16 PM

I'll 2nd the Armorall

olblue81 · 09-15-2006, 09:16 PM

There may be better stuff now, but in the 80s when I got my truck Armor All was all I had. Still got the original dash in my truck. No cracks.

09-12-2006, 01:54 PM	#1
kevinr1970 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 2,316	How to protect dash pads? So I have a nice dash pad for my Blazer and am looking at one for my truck. How do I keep them from cracking and splitting??? The one in my truck was cherry when I bought it (the truck) 2 years ago but I looked at it the other day and it now has two huges splits in it. Any ideas??? __________________ 2009 Honda Fit CfC (bsf 44.9 mpg) 2000 Tahoe Limited 1991 GMC CrewCab Dually 2wd, will end up swb, not dually and replace CCswb below 1991 GMC CrewCab Dually 4x4, just going to fix things up for now 1982/1989 K5/GMC Jimmy 2wd 1987 GMC 1/2 ton swb 2wd Crew (sold)

09-12-2006, 02:17 PM	#2
Joe67 67 is sold Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Troy, Michigan Posts: 6,733	Re: How to protect dash pads? This is all I use on my vehicles. Available at most good auto part stores http://www.303products.com/tech/inde...TOKEN=78630455 __________________ Joe - Formerly 67c10step ------------------------------- 1967 Chevy Stepside - ECE 4/6, fuelcell, 5lug - SOLD gr8lakes - My ebay auctions Click here to order forum apparel :: Click here to become a subscribing member

09-12-2006, 02:54 PM	#3
Eyegore What Hump? Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: New River AZ Posts: 2,009	Re: How to protect dash pads? Here in phoenix, with interiors getting up into over the 100's we use dash mats, a cut to dash type of thin carpet material that is held in place with velcro. This stops the direct sunlight on the dash and usally preserves them. __________________ Lil red 86 c-10 99 Sub 78 Camper Special w/ 454

09-13-2006, 01:26 AM	#5
kevinr1970 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 2,316	Re: How to protect dash pads? Any idea how that stuff would interact with a painted or dyed dash pad? __________________ 2009 Honda Fit CfC (bsf 44.9 mpg) 2000 Tahoe Limited 1991 GMC CrewCab Dually 2wd, will end up swb, not dually and replace CCswb below 1991 GMC CrewCab Dually 4x4, just going to fix things up for now 1982/1989 K5/GMC Jimmy 2wd 1987 GMC 1/2 ton swb 2wd Crew (sold)

09-13-2006, 01:53 AM	#6
89 crew Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 865	Re: How to protect dash pads? For years I have used silicone assembly lube for dashes. You can take a dash that is rock hard or even spliting and apply it and it will be soft the next day. The dash will look a bit shinny for a couple weeks but as it pulls it all in, the shine will go away. I can't tell you how it would work on pained I have never had to replace a dash I treated this way.

09-13-2006, 02:44 PM	#8
84 400 Sb 400 club Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NH / MA Posts: 2,746	Re: How to protect dash pads? wow let me just say this is a great thread. This is always i big prob on these trucks. my 84 has an aftermarket dash from lmc or some one and it is junk man. it is warped from the sun but not cracked. Any ideas on how to fix the sag?? thanks __________________ 1984 chevy c10, built 400sb,.(SOLD) 77 K10 Project / daily driver "The Grinch" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=318363 1956 Willys Wagon (327 chevy) Project (Now Buick 225) 1980 Corvette L-48 4 speed 1992 Mustang GT built 5.0 5 speed 1985 C10 LWB Sold 1982 K10 SWB plow truck Parted out 1986 D30 M1028 fire brush truck Parted out

09-13-2006, 03:48 PM	#9
pcmcobra Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 1,684	Re: How to protect dash pads? thx for the tip, going to try and find some 303!

09-13-2006, 11:40 PM	#10
drillingmachine Married to my Truck Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 72	Re: How to protect dash pads? I've used ArmorAll for years on my dash, works great on my stock dash. I can't say it will work for cheaply made repros. Put a good amount on the dash, it should absorb it well. It's the heat that dries the dash, making it britle and crack. __________________ 1982 Chevy SWB C-10 (AKA my pride and joy 1989 Chevy Suburban (under construction) 1989 Honda Civic sedan (work car)

09-14-2006, 04:50 PM	#11
86swb Born a Chevy Man Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Navarre, Florida Posts: 10,221	Re: How to protect dash pads? I will be getting some of the free stuff they offer and try it myself. Thanks for the address. __________________ John or 86 (Viet Nam combat Vet-BIG RED ONE) '65-'66 1986 Chevy SWB Silverado 1984 Chevy Longbed Silverado New Kia Sportage (Wife's car and she loves it) CHEVY, American made w/pride! If you can read this, YOU NEED TO THANK A TEACHER! If you can read this in ENGLISH, PLEASE THANK A SOLDIER! GOD BLESS AMERICA AND BLESS OUR FIGHTING TROOPS

09-14-2006, 05:07 PM	#12
john member #16 Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Yuba City Ca. Posts: 3,618	Re: How to protect dash pads? 303 here too. Buy it at marine store. Works great on leather seats too and they dont feel slick like some of the others. __________________ john http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/showgroups.php board vendors http://www.flickr.com/photos/1745471...7602865984234/

09-14-2006, 10:16 PM	#13
gldevall Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Walker, LA Posts: 2,925	Re: How to protect dash pads? I'll 2nd the Armorall __________________ Gary -1986 SWB: lowered 4/6, SOLD!!! -Best 1/4 mile: 14.51 @ 91.01 MPH -2001 Pewter Tahoe, billet grill, Corsa Sport Cat-back, K&N FIPK SOLD!!! -2004 Z-71 Extended cab with a flowmaster, BDS 6.5", 3" BL, 35x12.5x18 Trail Grapplers on Pro-Comp 18x9 wheels

09-15-2006, 09:16 PM	#14
olblue81 Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 189	Re: How to protect dash pads? There may be better stuff now, but in the 80s when I got my truck Armor All was all I had. Still got the original dash in my truck. No cracks. __________________ Stu- 1981 GMC Sierra Classic LWB 355- original 2 bolt block, 10.2:1, vortec heads, Comp XE268 cam, built by self in 1992 700R4-2000 stall with lockup, shift kit, Corvette servo 3.07 open diff- I need a 3.73 posi! 2nd owner since 1986 - 388,000 km and counting. 100k by the first owner and the rest by me.

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