I Refused to Believe I Would Be a Statistic
02-25-2019, 11:29 PM
#42
Null and proud of it
I've got an '06 with 102k miles and thankfully the dash hasn't cracked. With everything I've seen on this forum I've accepted the fact that it will eventually crack and have already decided to get a Coverlay when that day comes. I look forward to seeing updates from gatr regarding those quotes and eventual decision.
I agree with most on the saving for eventual maintenance. This is beyond that, and shouldn’t be our issue, Altho ultimately it is. I just wager the fact that mine is 15yrs old now. And If I was to replace it, at only cost of the dash itself, it still seems to be a hefty expense (I do realize a new car costs xxxxx). I love the car, and at 84K miles, it still has a lot of life left.
So I guess I should just suck it up, and pay for the dash, and replace myself. And add in some things I’ve read that people do, to prevent this from happening too soon. For example, rubber o-rings between the main mounting points to frame, to possibly eliminate some flexing. And another member mentioned some type of styrofoam layer in certain spots to aid In the flexing aspect.
So I guess I should just suck it up, and pay for the dash, and replace myself. And add in some things I’ve read that people do, to prevent this from happening too soon. For example, rubber o-rings between the main mounting points to frame, to possibly eliminate some flexing. And another member mentioned some type of styrofoam layer in certain spots to aid In the flexing aspect.
Could it be wrapped in vynal? Not vynal wrap, but the upholstery kind?
02-26-2019, 01:36 AM
#43
Senior Moderator
Now it's figuring out if I have to cut the cracked vinyl dash away near the pass. airbag to allow less resistance to the coverlay but also ensure it stays in place and can come apart properly when the airbag goes off.
02-26-2019, 02:00 PM
#45
Senior Moderator
right now it's all in pieces in the garage but I"ll def get it posted. I've been using some info from GM's Patents on breakaway stitching to figure out what the heck to do to make sure the airbag pops out and it doesn't look like crap all the time
02-28-2019, 06:11 AM
#46
iWhine S/C 6MT TL
iTrader: (1)
You could try something like this
and wrap your existing dash board or buy the overlay cover and have an upholstery shop custom leather wrap it with nice contrast stitching.
03-04-2019, 03:46 PM
#48
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
Wait til it warms up, park in the sun, crack will disappear, sell 
03-04-2019, 03:53 PM
#49
Chapter Leader (Southern Region)
03-04-2019, 05:31 PM
#50
Burning Brakes
You could try something like this https://www.amazon.com/100X30cm-Leat.../dp/B077JMB8S9 and wrap your existing dash board or buy the overlay cover and have an upholstery shop custom leather wrap it with nice contrast stitching.
I can't imagine it's strong enough to stop an air bag deployment though, right? It can't be worse than a coverlay.
Maybe I'm an idiot.
03-05-2019, 02:31 PM
#53
One company got back to me and said they would charge $150 to fix the crack. I will try to get that "repaired," I guess. We'll see how good the repair is to my OCD self. At least I have the Coverlay to fall back to.
03-05-2019, 02:50 PM
#54
Head a da Family
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: New Friggin Jerzy
Age: 69
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If you really love the car, you will accept the cracks that come with age...
I know a car is different to most people, but to me, having a car for a few years or more means deep emotional attachment and excusing or completely dismissing any flaws that come up... Like an old dog or cat going gray... Love is love, and love is blind... Love your car man! Seriously, I love your car...
I know a car is different to most people, but to me, having a car for a few years or more means deep emotional attachment and excusing or completely dismissing any flaws that come up... Like an old dog or cat going gray... Love is love, and love is blind... Love your car man! Seriously, I love your car...
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Last edited by DMZ; 03-05-2019 at 02:58 PM.
03-06-2019, 01:20 AM
#56
Null and proud of it
Don't I know! I've been this way ever since his father, a 1989 Accord SE-i (An extremely limited edition based on the Accord Export edition made in Ohio exported to Japan), his grandfather, a 1976 Buick Century (Based on the bicentennial Indy 500 Pace Car), and his grandfather, a 1963 Buick Riviera (The one I miss most of all (like Dorothy taking to the scarecrow at the end of The Wizard of Oz), purchased new by my father). So I get it !!
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03-06-2019, 11:28 AM
#57
iWhine S/C 6MT TL
iTrader: (1)
Personally, I wouldn't do it. The 2nd notorious crack by the center speaker will eventually form. They normally form shortly after one crack appears. Save yourself the $150 and just get the cover. You can always have a shop do some custom leather work to the cover.
03-07-2019, 11:45 AM
#59
-------Tim-------
I’d appreciate that^, as I also have the same tendencies. What color coverlay did you choose?
Agree with Gus, once one starts, the others follow. I have at least 10 cracks at the moment. I still use sunshade, why? I have no idea. Lol!
Agree with Gus, once one starts, the others follow. I have at least 10 cracks at the moment. I still use sunshade, why? I have no idea. Lol!
03-08-2019, 03:18 PM
#62
I had to sand down several high spots, specifically around the speaker openings, the low part in between the glove compartment and the navi screen, and the line above the navi screen, below the center speaker. I want those parts to sit flush.
03-08-2019, 07:01 PM
#66
The wrapped dash and other materials, including the silcone adhesive and airbag cover (above)
Silcone adhesive and airbag cover (above).
Test fit, driver's side corner (above).
Test fit, middle section (above).
Test fit, driver's side (above).
Last edited by gatrhumpy; 03-08-2019 at 07:03 PM.
03-08-2019, 07:08 PM
#67
Test fit, driver's side (above). This is one area that I used a Dremel to sand down so the edge was razor thin. I wanted it as thin as possible.
Test fit, center speaker (above). I also sanded down the little strip between the temp/clock display and the center speaker. I wanted it as thin as possible.
Test fit, center speaker (above).
The following 2 users liked this post by gatrhumpy:
LoveMyTL-S (03-15-2019),
Slpr04UA6 (03-09-2019)
03-08-2019, 07:17 PM
#70
More pictures coming tomorrow with the dash installed.
Couple of tips:
1. DO NOT PUT SILICONE EVERYWHERE. Only put the silicone adhesive around the speaker openings and edges of the dash cover, especially on either side of the steering wheel.
2. Put some kind of tape on the airbag cover temporarily on the A pillar where it meets the dash. This will prevent the plastic from scratching the side airbag covers.
Couple of tips:
1. DO NOT PUT SILICONE EVERYWHERE. Only put the silicone adhesive around the speaker openings and edges of the dash cover, especially on either side of the steering wheel.
2. Put some kind of tape on the airbag cover temporarily on the A pillar where it meets the dash. This will prevent the plastic from scratching the side airbag covers.
The following 2 users liked this post by gatrhumpy:
LoveMyTL-S (03-15-2019),
Slpr04UA6 (03-09-2019)
03-09-2019, 07:17 AM
#71
-------Tim-------
Looking good! I like the idea of the sanding to make it blend in better! Any idea of what sanding wheel for dremel you used? Did you get it at Home Depot? In for more finished pics! 
03-09-2019, 08:26 AM
#72
So I took off the cardboard and other stuff, and the dash cover looks great, even for my OCD ass! I still don't like the look of the cover near the airbag and above the glove compartment, but I'll take it. I bought some black RTV adhesive sealant to seal up the gaps on either side of the driver's side of the cover, by the air vents.
03-09-2019, 08:29 AM
#73
I used the roughest possible disk at first and then just took my time. If you do this, take your time, go slowly and evenly, and check the fit often. You can make this look MUCH better by sanding and taking off some material, especially around the edges and by the center speaker. I took off the most material by the edge to the right and slightly above the glove compartment. I wanted that to blend the most.
The following 2 users liked this post by gatrhumpy:
LoveMyTL-S (03-20-2019),
Slpr04UA6 (03-09-2019)
The following 2 users liked this post by gatrhumpy:
LoveMyTL-S (03-20-2019),
Slpr04UA6 (03-09-2019)
03-09-2019, 07:30 PM
#79
-------Tim-------
The outside edges? Any pics of before sanding and after? Can you tell I have the same ocd? Lol!
Thnks for all the info, it’ll help myself and others hopefully in the future!
Thnks for all the info, it’ll help myself and others hopefully in the future!