Is the NSX dash less prone to cracking? Anyone have a crack in their dash?

[paulviriyapan]

I've been putting a white towel over the dash when I park the car in the sun (usually at work). Now I was wondering if this was even necessary, as the more I think about it, the NSX dash seems unlikely to crack. The NSX is the only car, at least that I've seen, that has the kind of vinyl that you upholster with, as opposed to the thicker foam stuff that I see on dashes on other cars. To me, it seems that the vinyl is more flexible and less likely to crack from just being in the sun. (I.E. able to move). Should I be as careful and cover it, or do I need not worry about it cracking due to sunlight? Anyone ever get a crack in their dash? Thanks.

 

[svalleynsx]

I have a crack in my '91 dash. It's in the strip that runs along the bottom of the windshield, not the main dashboard piece itself. It's cracked straight through and right in the middle. Pretty sure it was there when I bought the car, no biggie though. So yes, I'd say NSX dashboards and pieces around it ARE prone to sun damage. One thing I use now are those custom-fitted reflector shields you can pick up at any local Acura dealer. They're great.

 

[Track Junkie]

I have a crack in my '91 dash. It's in the strip that runs along the bottom of the windshield, not the main dashboard piece itself. It's cracked straight through and right in the middle. Pretty sure it was there when I bought the car, no biggie though. So yes, I'd say NSX dashboards and pieces around it ARE prone to sun damage. One thing I use now are those custom-fitted reflector shields you can pick up at any local Acura dealer. They're great.

Make that 2 of us. Actually, mine (same strip at bottom of windshield) has 2 cracks in it, both right in the center about an inch apart.

 

[paulviriyapan]

Well that would be three, 'coz I have the same crack on the plastic piece, right in the middle itself. However, I don't think the material on the dash itself would crack, but what do I know?

 

[Bucky]

I also have the same crack right below the middle of the windshield on my '91.

 

[nsxtasy]

This is described in the FAQ here.

There are other alternatives instead of a towel - including using a car cover, or putting one of those roundish "sunshade" type things under your windshield.

 

[svalleynsx]

nsxtasy thanks for the pointer

Has this problem been seen or even corrected in the newer models i.e. '97 and newer that anyone knows of? It makes sense that it would be stress-related and possibly heat-related due to the same spot I keep hearing where it cracks. It seems like more trouble than it's worth to either fix or replace the strip. Even back-breaking. I'll probably just leave mine alone.

 

[john576]

nsxtasy thanks for the pointer

Has this problem been seen or even corrected in the newer models i.e. '97 and newer that anyone knows of? It makes sense that it would be stress-related and possibly heat-related due to the same spot I keep hearing where it cracks. It seems like more trouble than it's worth to either fix or replace the strip. Even back-breaking. I'll probably just leave mine alone.

Add that strip along with those notoriously cracked sun visors.

 

[NSXaholic]

Something from the FAQ that can easily be overlooked if you decided to replace your strip:

"Also once you do change the strip dont throw it away. You will find your vehicles vin# attached to this part. Law enforcement wont be happy when they find out they cant verify your cars true ID #."

Regards.

 

[Acuraphile]

I am puzzled as to why you would not cover your whole car. That sunlight is constantly damaging the paint, trim, and interior, even your door gaskets and other rubber parts. Your paint will fade, your trim will dry, harden, warp, and crack, and the interior WILL suffer in much the same way. No, it is a slow process, but it goes on, relentlessly. Constant attentiveness with various protectants will help, but better UV protection is easily done by just covering the car with a good (primarily opaque with ventilation) cover. Use protectants to help moisturize leather, vinyl, rubber, and plastics, and to help to slow damage while you are driving or short-term parking.

Take your clothes off, cover yourself with sunblock, then stand in the sun for 40-50 hours a week. Did the sun have any effect on your skin? Maybe then you can decide if protectants will keep your NSX in pristine condition. To simulate unprotected use (as you are now contemplating for your dash), just forego the sunblock. A cover is the better choice, IMHO, but always remember to use it.

Regards,

Bill

 

[paulviriyapan]

Well the problem is that it's sitting out at work. At home, it's in the garage. At my office, there is no covered parking and I have to make due with what I have. On top of that I am a lazy bastard, and have a penchant for comming in late, and I really don't have time before I have to be in the office (before being yelled at) to put on the cover. I'm making due with a foil sunshade and a towel on the dash.

 

[mikec]

IMO, I belive that covering your car every day at work will cause it more harm than good for two reasons:

1. You should cover only a clean car, and your car will not be clean when it gets to work. If you cover a dirty car, the gritty dirt acts like sandpaper and will abrade your paint.

2. On a windy day the cover will be constaintly flapping and moving against the paint "polishing" your car in a way you don't want. If your car is the least bit dirty it will be all the worse.


The best thing you can do is keep your finish clean and waxed and use a windshield sun screen.

YMMV

 

[BadCarma]

ditto on the cracked strip and visors. will replace soon
-David

 

[nsxtasy]

IMO, I belive that covering your car every day at work will cause it more harm than good for two reasons:

1. You should cover only a clean car, and your car will not be clean when it gets to work. If you cover a dirty car, the gritty dirt acts like sandpaper and will abrade your paint.

2. On a windy day the cover will be constaintly flapping and moving against the paint "polishing" your car in a way you don't want. If your car is the least bit dirty it will be all the worse.

I believe that putting a car cover over your car every day at work - assuming that you have no option for a garage or other covered parking - is a much better option than leaving it in the sun, where the sun can bake the finish of the car.

Regarding the objections stated above:

1. I cover my car only when it is clean. If the car is clean at home, and it is a dry day with dry roads, then the car is still basically pretty darn clean when you get to work, and there is very little dirt on it. If the weather or roads are wet, I don't cover it that day.

2. A custom-made car cover, particularly one in which you use a chain underneath to secure it, doesn't flap around at all. On a rare day when it's really windy (winds over, say, 30 mph) I might leave the cover off, but even in Chicago, such days are extremely rare.

I believe the worst thing you can do is to leave your finish out in the sun, and that the sun is likely to do more damage than rain. Same thing for bird droppings and tree sap on your finish, which can also be avoided with the use of a car cover.