Dash cracking on sedan

[sonicii]

Dash cracking on sedan

Has anyone else had this issue, not sure why it is happening on my series 2 sedan, I guess it might have had a harder life before I purchased it in 2011, I always use a windscreen shade if parked in the sun, but as you can see from the pictures, my dash is cracking, it started about 2 years ago, but now is cracking in more obvious places (first location wasn't even where the sun would impact it).  Over $1k for a new dash, plus shipping, so I don't really want to go down that path, I was thinking of removing it and trying some of the local auto upholsterers to see if they can put a layer of vinyl over it, if they have something that matches almost exactly, but then I am worried about things like vents and other items not fitting back in.

Any ideas?

[Rufus007]

I cant tell from the photo if that is surface cracks only, or goes all the way through the plastic.  But if you drill a tiny hole at the end of each crack, that will stop the cracks spreading further.

[mutex]

That is an unhappy dash. Hence why I'm trying to find a dash mat for my v35 sedan.

May be worthwhile finding a good used one from a wrecker.

 

[V35_Paul]

Yeah I had a crack in my old V35 coupe. 2003

Near the windscreen in the middle. 

It was very small, and I only ever seen it when I was cleaning 

 

[sonicii]

I can see the yellow foam backing through the cracks, so it is all the way through the vinyl, I have been very careful to keep the sun off the dash whenever possible (always use a windscreen cover when parked in the sun, and all windows are tinted), same as my old J30 maxima that didn't have any cracking at all when I got rid of it when it was 18 years old, so I can only assume it was treated fairly badly before I got it in 2011.

I have been looking out for a 2nd hand dash, but it seems Series 2/3 parts are fairly few and far between.  I am also not sure if the coupe dash is the same, I assume they would be, but considering the cost, it isn't worth the risk, unless someone can confirm 100%?  Maybe the Stag dash is the same too?

Edited September 17, 2016 by sonicii

[junkie]

Vinyl has gone hard by the looks of it, I always use non silicone dash protectants and yet to have a cracking issue. But, hard to say how much the dressing actually helps, maybe I've just been lucky

[sonicii]

the vinyl actually still seems quite flexible, even around the cracks, pushing on it doesn't cause it to crack further or produce new cracks, but it does feel a little 'sticky'.  My theory is the vinyl is actually shrinking due to 'who knows what', and that is causing the cracks to appear.  I have been using meguairs products since I have had the car, like I have on other cars, but this is the only time I have ever had this issue on a car, thus my assumption it was something used on it earlier in its life.

Anyway, I searched the part numbers on epc and it shows the same number for the S2/3 V35 coupe and sedan and Stagea.