Dash tops

[Underdrive]

I have just been moving some of my Amazon spares from one location to another, including a spare dashtop removed from scrap car many moons ago. It is original and in perfect condition with no cracks and has probably stayed like this due to being kept dry and in the dark. I fear that if I ever fit it to my car it will start to deteriorate so my question is: has any one found a suitable product that reliably keeps this delicate vinyl(?) soft enough to survive intact for a few more years?

[Volvo Canadian]

Good question.

[amazon69]

Aren't they a hard vinyl? If so this stuff gets good reviews, try soaking it in over time.

[Carlsson 986]

I have used this company's stuff and obtained very good results with a few of their different cleaners, and their vinyl conditioner might suit you:

http://www.valeterspride.co.uk/1-lit...oduct-84-p.asp

I'm sure if you gave them a call they would be able to advise you accordingly.

Ric

[Underdrive]

Thanks for these replies, both products look like they may do a good job particularly the UV protection but suggest they only protect the surface. Yes it is a hard vinyl, not one I have come across elsewhere and I imagine putting a technical question to any product manufacturers would require naming the exact type of vinyl(Derek?). It might not be possible but what I was thinking of was something that could penetrate the whole thickness not just the surface because it seems to shrink and become brittle, then split usually in the grooves. This was something I felt sure many people would have tried to find a solution to bearing in mind how prone these dashtops are to 'letting down' otherwise immaculate restorations. As our cars get older original ones intact must be getting fewer and although there now some new ones available, I'm sure it will be a limited supply and they are certainly expensive enough to make care of existing ones a priority.

[Derek UK]

Technically I don't know what sort of vinyl is used. Dash tops pre about 1964 were thicker and have a coarser grain pattern. These survive much better than the later ones which are thinner and have less patterning. I think it was just the way they were moulded. The late type had the grooves pressed into the mould which makes the material there much thinner, hence the cracks. The foam on the backs is different too. If yours is good now I'd just keep the sun off it, perhaps with a cover if parked up in the sun. RHD covers can be bought in Australia for many cars. Don't know if they do Amazon ones but certainly for 240 and these look quite good.
I don't know if any of the liquids offered to protect vinyl will actually do much of a job over a long period. When Armorall first came out it was supposed to be the wonder spray. The first type made the dash very shiny and it had a lot of silicone in it. An alternate less glossy version came out later but neither got very good press over time for this job.
A heavy duty spray formulated for marine use might be the way to go. Maybe try http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303-Aerosp...kAAOSwRLZT2jib
http://www.amazon.co.uk/3M-Cleaner-C...r%2C+Protector

Having said that Autoglym vinyl and rubber care probably works fine and is MUCH cheaper.
Bottom line, keep the sun off it.

[northNH]

Thicker, though I don't think coarser, pre-'64ish original dash top, uncracked so far.
Treated twice a decade with mink oil, always well protected from unnecessary exposure to light, and most everything else...

[simonvolvo]

To avoid exposure to UV I am using a cover made from an off-cut piece of carpeting material. It has two plastic hooks pop-riveted to the underside. These hook onto the air-vents in the interior windscreen trim and keep the cover perfectly in position. To remove, you simply lift the cover off, although in practice I don’t bother. I just leave it there all the time.

[123GT-AMAZON]

Hi ya

I tend to use two products and one will be at most uk owners reach

1: wd40 penetrates & cleans and oils the hell outta it last ok then I switch to ..

2: trade secret on everything on car including leather seats BABY OIL
Works wonders and any 200 series owner rub some on ya faded door mirrors
Watch after a few days and be wonderfully surprised they back to brand new looking condition .


Never fails me them two products and you get soft hands when rubbing baby oil on ya leather lol.

Kind regards
Robert.w

[Underdrive]

Robert, thanks for your 'trade secrets' very interesting. I think I like the sound of baby oil better than mink oil. The great thing about the experience of members on this forum is that there is almost always at least one person with a good idea based on experience. My spare dash top is a pre '64 so hopefully that will help, just don't want to trust something that doesn't work because I won't get a second chance. Thanks for everyone's suggestions, hope it's helped others as well.