Automotive Plastics: auto-plastics mainteinance, varsol, outer skin

Question
Octavio,
I have heard some silicon-like products used in dashboards are to blame when cracks appear. Is that true?

Answer
Hi, Sophie, I have heard the same theory since I begun repairing. I can tell you that I have not done any chemical analysis of these products, because I am not qualified. However, most dashes have an outer skin made of PVC, which is a polymer rather weak to solvents.I usually prepare a solution of 30% vaseline and 70 stoddart solvent(varsol) and apply it with a damp cloth. This is a mild solvent which does not harm PVC, ABS or Polypropylene dashes.It evaporates quickly and cleans the plastics nicely.I hope this may help you.