Dashtop Crash Pad - to glue or not?

[A Brit in Bama]

I'm fitting a new dashtop crash pad, as the original broke up when I tore down the car for paint. I'm wondering if the new one actually needs to be glued down, as was the original.

Anyone fit one without gluing it down, and how has it survived the years?

[dicta]

I'm fitting a new dashtop crash pad, as the original broke up when I tore down the car for paint. I'm wondering if the new one actually needs to be glued down, as was the original.

Anyone fit one without gluing it down, and how has it survived the years?

Keith --- My original top dash pad split every which way when the car was about 20 years old. It was glued solidly over the entire surface. It's my thought that this did not allow for any stretching that could take place during temperature changes. So I just tacked the new top in about three or five places and used the existing hardware to hold it in place. No signs of this cracking over the last 28 years. FWIW the new dash vinyl came from TRF.

Dick

[baws]

My experience is this: I replaced my original dash pad in the mid 80's with a TRF part when my 6 was repainted. I did not use any adhesive at all, anywhere. The pad started to lift at the corners, by the windows, about 10 years ago. No cracking anywhere, but it looks kinda crappy.
When I refit a new pad, I will glue it down.
FWIF My 6 has been garaged (when not driving/touring) and she's been in California her whole life.

[safire6]

My experience......I replaced the top dash pad in 2009 with one from TRF. I used a high quality 3M spray adhesive to glue it down to the metal dash. No signs of cracking or lifting 13 years later. I've kept the car in a garage since then, but I only put about 1500-2000 miles on it a year.

[phil73]

I glued mine down (can't recall what I used) when I restored the car back in 1992.

No signs of cracking to this day but, as others point out, the car spends the vast majority of its time in a garage.

[A Brit in Bama]

Thanks all. I've decided to glue.

I think most of the pad would be fine un-glued, as the front edge is pinned by the metal dash, and at the back by the windscreen and tonneau studs. But the two ends are not well-pinned, and so (like Bruce's) might lift.

[Philstr6]

Keith
how about a picture of your car and new color
glue it
Phil

[baws]

keith
how about a picture of your car and new color
glue it
phil

yes! Please. :d

[L.O. Guvna]

very good thread. thanks for posting it, Keith.

[Dentman]

I have a very low mileage 73 and the original dash in it is perfect. I think the question is how much is it exposed to the sun.

[Anthony]

I just tacked a couple of spots at the front where the windshield frame would sit to keep it in place.