Cracked Dash Poll Thread

[WERDdabuilder]

Originally Posted by ixfxi

Without removing the leather, its impossible to tell if it has formed any cracks. However, I did notice a small uneven surface that could be a crack.

Being a picky bastard, I may remove the leather in order to remove the OEM padded vinyl. This is the only regret I have so far because the padded vinyl is the problem. Removing it not only eliminates any chances of cracking but also gives a bit more clearance for the vents - which has also proven to be problematic with fitment.

So my best bet is to repair my dash then have it reupholstered? And did the vents fit fine after you got it reupholstered with the oem vinyl?

[TMW]

bought s13 with cracked dash, actually multiple cracks lol

bought s14 with cracked dash, right behind the cluster shroud

[Grocery Cart]

I'm actually glad this is a poll.
I've always wondered if I'd just gotten good luck or if uncracked dashes were just hard to come by.
Out of 9 240s - 2 s14s and the rest s13s I've had about three cracked dashes total.

[EDacIouSX]

2 s14s. had the 95 since 04, always used armor all or something similar. no cracks. second car, 96, came with cracks all over.

[jakewolf]

While my dash is uncracked... the previous owner swapped it in to replace the cracked one that was in there haha.

[brndck]

My 1993 s13 dash is uncracked. (1 tiny spiderweb on the passengers side, about the side of a pencil eraser). Car was garaged it's whole life, and I use a sunshade every single time I park the car.

[DreamN]

Have one car with a cracked dash and one without. The one without is obviously in the garage and hardly gets driven.

Reupholstering these things in quality leather would be the way to go imo.

[Kuma]

Mines not cracked (s14), but I'll be wrapping it in black ultrasuede.

[angel mkiv]

My 91 s13s dash isnt cracked but I do live in Washington and in the 5 years that I've had it it's been garage kept..

[Drift_FX]

I felt bad cutting up my s13 uncracked dash for my cage and gauges..... but it had to be done...

[rundown240]

240sx (s13) small 4" hairline crack above the cluster. Been using armor all on it every 2 weeks for the past 2 years and it hasn't grown or split wider apart. I use a sunshade and try to always park under some shade that's usually near the back of any parking lot.

180sx (s13) uncracked. I pamper this one since it'll be hard to find another RHD dash, lol.

Conditions: Arizona weather (dry and hot). It's been around 105 F recently.

Also got 2 spare 240sx (s13) uncracked dashes in garage that I wipe down as well to keep them from cracking. Got them to replace previous dash if crack got worse. Oh well, spares for life! lol

[ta2maki]

Originally Posted by az_240

Aersospace 303 UV protectant from Ace Hardware is good shit... USE IT.

Only helps, not a cure. I've been using 303 over 9 years on my 91. Got a small crack over the gauge cluster by the defrost vents last summer. Not garage parked, but have always used a sunshade.

[JBB]

Originally Posted by ixfxi

The interesting thing is, I took my non-cracked dash and had it upholstered with genuine stitched leather. It was a very big project.

So far, the only exposure it got was sitting in the garage - protected from the elements, but not from the temperature swings.

Without removing the leather, its impossible to tell if it has formed any cracks. However, I did notice a small uneven surface that could be a crack.

Being a picky bastard, I may remove the leather in order to remove the OEM padded vinyl. This is the only regret I have so far because the padded vinyl is the problem. Removing it not only eliminates any chances of cracking but also gives a bit more clearance for the vents - which has also proven to be problematic with fitment.

Damn these project cars...

I have always planned to get my dash wrapped in leather to match that on the Nardi wheels. Was it pricey to have yours done?

[blkvrtswp]

Never had any problems with previous s13's until my 93 vert, which spent it's entire life prior to me in the sun at an apartment complex. I garage kept it from 2006-2008 but since then it has been outside in the summer with no cover, but I used plenty of UV protection.

The stress from installing a JDM Digital Climate Control may have been the last straw - it developed a crack over the cluster approx 10 years from manufacture.

[dirtiee]

Going to start making dashes from fiberglass soon.

[_kouki_monster_]

It sucks when i bought my s13 the dash was perfect no cracks. Then about 6 months after i bought it i went to get in it and there was a foot long crack above the cluster. just showed up all of a sudden!

[ixfxi]

Originally Posted by yomisiu

has anyone here bought this? Robot Racing Carbon Fiber Dashboard - Nissan 240SX S13/S14 89-98

Originally Posted by dirtiee

Going to start making dashes from fiberglass soon.

No offense, but thats all bullshit.. carbon fiberglass, etc.. its all junk. Besides not being OEM, I have a gripe for things that are destined to fade. Find me a vendor who will guarantee that their wet carbon wont yellow.

I dunno.. I just want OEM.

Originally Posted by WERDdabuilder

So my best bet is to repair my dash then have it reupholstered? And did the vents fit fine after you got it reupholstered with the oem vinyl?

No, they didnt. This is why I may pull the leather in order to remove the OEM padded vinyl. My vendor did not do this and its been an issue. But since my restoration project is going on 10 years.. you know how it goes..... I have no problem waiting and thinking of solutions.

Originally Posted by JBB

I have always planned to get my dash wrapped in leather to match that on the Nardi wheels. Was it pricey to have yours done?

Absolutely pricey, and difficult. You're better off having a vendor do it in vinyl. I'm just a stickler for leather.. step into the car and the smell is RICH

Other problem is, trying to continue the design into the door panels and more importantly, the center console. I am still working on that.

How about people start posting up the names of shops that specialize in dash repair or reupholstery? My guy, unfortunately, *disappeared*. I'll add that he disappeared with my door panels and money, but thats water under the bridge now.

[DreamN]

I've heard good things about Batz Auto-Upholstery. There's apparently some Hispanic guy in Burbank that does quality work for stupid cheap.

This guy: http://www.yelp.com/biz/e-and-c-jr-a...lstery-burbank

[zephyrclayton]

I think this is a late 80's/early 90's thing, or at least a carry over of type of materials used. My 2 s13's, ae86, 82 gmc, etc all have had dash cracks. I live in New Mexico, so lots of sun and very little moisture. I'm going to resurface and flock my dash just because I'm sick of seeing all the cracks. That robot racing dash is sweet but at $900 I'm going to just have to wait. I came from the aircraft industry and I think if someone just made a tight fitting carbon fiber/kevlar overlay it would sell well.

[ixfxi]

Originally Posted by DreamN

I've heard good things about Batz Auto-Upholstery. There's apparently some Hispanic guy in Burbank that does quality work for stupid cheap.

This guy: http://www.yelp.com/biz/e-and-c-jr-a...lstery-burbank

I was there about a month ago. Owner is a nice guy, but the shop does not appear to be professional. It was very unorganized. At the bare minimum, when I walk into a shop I want to see organization. I dont want my parts which I spent lots of time and money trying to locate and purchase, sit around some random area with the possibility of getting lost. Maybe I'm just getting too old for this type of shit.

So far, I've been driving around to the various upholstery shops in socal getting quotes and information. If I like the owner, and if the shop looks clean and organized, and if their price is right - they have my business.

FYI, I recently reupholstered a pair of seats and I will gladly plug the company that sold me the materials: www.interior-innovations.com

I ordered replacement leather seat covers from them. Price, lead-time and quality all appear to be good bang for the buck. A few imperfections but nothing I cant deal with given the price. After placing the other via email, a few weeks go by and I received a package from Pakistan's upholstery district (Karachi).

Be warned, if you do the upholstery work yourself you will need a *lot* of patience. Its very frustrating work but in the end, very rewarding.

[DreamN]

350Z seats by chance?

I'm just seeking basic reupholster of my rear 'vert seats in leather to match my z34 seats. I may just give the Burbank dude a go at the.

Batz will get my business for my convertible top when the time comes.

From what I gather you would have had the same attitude years ago just by what you expect from others. Nothing wrong with that. It is your money after all. Hell, Mel over at Nissan once told me you've spent a ridiculous amount of money simply on replacement nuts and bolts for your S13.

[Maiku240sxS14]

S14 is uncracked, 8yrs of daily driving and now stored in the garage.

Friend gave me a 89 s13 with uncracked dash, daily driven for 4 yrs.

[yardy]

I saw a 8" crack on my S13 dash over the cluster in 2012, deployed the end of the year and came back the following summer and it was all the way to the winsdield plus on the passenger side from sitting in the sun all year. I pulled it out and am now building a custom dash which I will be covering with faux suede.

[xBtony]

I bought my S13 two years ago with a flawless dash, took like a year for it to finally crack, now it has 3 small cracks and cut for a cage lol. Might try wrapping it at some point.

[ZenkiKid]

Wow, I didnt know that S14 dashes crack too.

[Cheesy Doriftos]

had a small crack when i first bought my s14 but then after being in texas sun/heat i had another crack, even with a sunshade and wiping it down every week in meguiars.

seeing a lot of guys in japan just say fuggit and throw on dashmats now. i might do the same.

[pulsar]

A company named coverlay offers a full ABS Plastic replacement that states it's guaranteed not to fade or ever crack. It's a great replacement for $150.00. It's not a full OEM replacement, but the fitment in the user photo's looks great.

http://www.carid.com/1989-nissan-240...FUg2aQodEioAmw

Here is a detailed write up on how to install it and how it looks fitted
http://forums.nicoclub.com/s13-crack...o-t243168.html

[Yellow4g63]

My dash isn't cracked, it was outside before I owned the car and now it's not in the sun and if it is windshield sun blocker is used. I use mothers products for the dash. My other S14 was the same I always covered it and treated it. Then sold it to my friend who didn't do any of that and sure enough it cracked on him lol.

[eastcoaststeeze]

luckily grabbed a s14 from the original owner with an uncracked dash and still in perfect condition

[ixfxi]

Originally Posted by pulsar

A company named coverlay offers a full ABS Plastic replacement that states it's guaranteed not to fade or ever crack.

Those types of covers have been around for ages. I remember seeing stuff like that on the older Datsun Z cars and what not. I'm not a big fan of it. Its just a hard-shell cover that does exactly that, cover the ratty cracked dash.

I'de like to hear more about people or shops that specialize in refurbishing the OEM dash, not cheap replacements and patch-fixes... or worse, flock. I think thats just cheap shit. The way I see it, if I'm going to pull a dash out - I want it done right.

Originally Posted by DreamN

350Z seats by chance?
I'm just seeking basic reupholster of my rear 'vert seats in leather to match my z34 seats. I may just give the Burbank dude a go at the. Batz will get my business for my convertible top when the time comes.

From what I gather you would have had the same attitude years ago just by what you expect from others. Nothing wrong with that. It is your money after all. Hell, Mel over at Nissan once told me you've spent a ridiculous amount of money simply on replacement nuts and bolts for your S13.

You cant really spend ridiculous money on nuts and bolts, more on things like glass, weatherstripping, bushings, etc... things that are here today and no longer available tomorrow.

If you need a top for your vert, I would check with RockAuto. I purchased a Robbins black stay-fast fabric top with glass window for my wife's Miata. Price was reasonable and then I did the install myself. Installing a top is tricky, but its not too bad. I had a harder time reupholstering my seats. And no, not Z34 seats - MKIV Supra seats.