Vandalism or age related damage to door panel?

[ViperJohn]

Last week when I was cleaning the car I noticed this gash in the door panel. At first I thought somebody sliced the vinyl, but after more careful inspection it appears the vinyl just spit. I spend most of time with the top off and no passenger, I suspect UV damage must have dried up the vinyl. Over the weekend fall cruise it got pretty cold at night, perhaps the drastic change in temperature caused the panel to rapidly contract/expand and tear?

Anyone else experience this problem?

 

[dave6666]

It really isn't a matter of drastic temperature change, but the culmination of years of like you said, UV light, followed by temperature changes period.

Polymers like the vinyl door coverings are loaded with additives (plasticizers, inhibitors, stabilizers, etc.) that are meant to combat UV, ozone, oxidation etc, as well as make the plastic very flexible. Those additives break down over time and the most noticeable affect is the polymer is no longer as flexible. It is moving toward brittle.

Now lets apply (glue) this flexible vinyl fabric to another material that is rigid, the door panel structure. These 2 materials likely have different coefficients of thermal expansion from each other, and after years of shrinking and expanding every day with the breakdown of the vinyl polymer, you get a separation, or crack.

Time for a new one or maybe the "Venzano treatment."

Oh. I'm sorry. You asked if anyone else has seen this.

Nope. My car has a roof!

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

I've also seen damage like that to both door panels on a buddy's 02' RT/10

 

[ViperTony]

I've seen it on a few sport bar pads too.

 

[shmoos]

I have one on the passenger knee panel. Is there a way to fix it without buying new?

 

[big-n-italian]

strange place for vandalism.

maybe your car cracked because its mad at you for not keeping in clean? man is that window rubber dirty! hahaha

 

[TAILWAG]

I know people hate armorall but, it works...

 

[dave6666]

I know people hate armorall but, it works...

I was talking to a technical marketing guy at a company that makes additives for plastics a few years back, and they would go to junk yards and get old cracked dashes etc. to analyze. He said one of the common failure components they found was Amor All. That has been some time back, and polymer science has advanced substantially during that time, but I personally only use interior cleaners frequently, and shy away from shine promoting products on a routine basis.

 

[dave6666]

Here's a kit you might look at if you're interested in the economy route, like repairing it yourself. The good news is that vinyl polymers are repairable with either solvent or heat bonding methods. I believe this kit uses both.

Liquid Leather & Vinyl Professional Repair Kit

 

[ViperJohn]

I appreciate all the responses. I had just never seen this on another Viper. I have been meaning to redo the interior, so I may have my excuse to do so now. Of course, I have made vinyl repairs in the past, just not on a door panel. I have a kit at home and will probably try to repair first. If it doesn't turn out right, I will go the custom route. Thanks again guys.

 

[ViperJohn]

strange place for vandalism.

maybe your car cracked because its mad at you for not keeping in clean? man is that window rubber dirty! hahaha

Guess that's what happens when you drive your car instead of polishing it.

(Actually I was surprised to see how dirty it was, about a month ago I conditioned all my rubber seals on the car. It also does not appear that dirty in natural lighting, the flash from the camera is to blame.)

 

[big-n-italian]

Guess that's what happens when you drive your car instead of polishing it.

with 38,000+ miles on my odometer, i am the LAST person anyone can accuse of not driving their car!

 

[Lee00blacksilverGTS]

I don't know Big, you might be hard pressed to keep up with John, when he organizes cruises they are 400 miles a day. AND multiple days! You guys are two of a kind.

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

Guess that's what happens when you drive your car instead of polishing it.

with 38,000+ miles on my odometer, i am the LAST person anyone can accuse of not driving their car!

I don't know Big, you might be hard pressed to keep up with John, when he organizes cruises they are 400 miles a day. AND multiple days! You guys are two of a kind.

Me and 2 Viper Chuck would also like to say "38k? When you gonna finish the break-in period?"

Signed,

200k+ between us

 

[big-n-italian]

I don't know Big, you might be hard pressed to keep up with John, when he organizes cruises they are 400 miles a day. AND multiple days! You guys are two of a kind.

i like the way john thinks!

 

[big-n-italian]

Guess that's what happens when you drive your car instead of polishing it.



Me and 2 Viper Chuck would also like to say "38k? When you gonna finish the break-in period?"

Signed,

200k+ between us

thats why i drive as much as i do chad - i am STILL TRYING to catch up to you guys!

 

[zoomie]

I don't know Big, you might be hard pressed to keep up with John, when he organizes cruises they are 400 miles a day. AND multiple days! You guys are two of a kind.

- note - AND VOI X , what... 1200 mi plus ? 51K here. You go John ! and Lee !