dash repair
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 306
Likes: 20
From: Greenville SC
dash repair
Ladies,Gentelmen please see the damage to my dash. It is in my 79. The repro is close to $500.00 plus taking the dash out and putting the new one back in.
Have any of you ever attempted a repair like this and if so, were you happy with the results?
Ecklers has a kit that is around 65.00.
Have any of you ever attempted a repair like this and if so, were you happy with the results?
Ecklers has a kit that is around 65.00.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 212
Likes: 29
From: State College Pennsylvania
Not me personally, but another forum member, CraigH, repaired several interior panels that had gouges using body filler, primer and paint (or dye). This would still involve taking the dash out, but at least it's less expensive.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1583157130
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1583157130
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,221
Likes: 4,312
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi mr,
There are really 2 issues here:
First is the actual repair of the split.
Second is restoring the 'grain' in the repaired area.
You picture appears to show a repair has already been attempted and a good bit of the grain has already been lost.
Although people post about repairs on vinyl 'soft' parts, I don't remember seeing any actual examples of successful repairs.
Regards,
Alan
There are really 2 issues here:
First is the actual repair of the split.
Second is restoring the 'grain' in the repaired area.
You picture appears to show a repair has already been attempted and a good bit of the grain has already been lost.
Although people post about repairs on vinyl 'soft' parts, I don't remember seeing any actual examples of successful repairs.
Regards,
Alan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,206
Likes: 365
From: The Motor City
That is more of an out of control gash, not a "crack". There are no shortcuts with something that far gone. You are right that it will be a pain to fix, but having someone fix you must. Try to think of how beautiful it will look again.
Good luck
Good luck
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 4,057
Likes: 421
From: BC
It looks like a pretty good attempt was made to repair it once and was a failure. That is a lot of damage and I am willing to bet the whole thing will break apart just trying to remove it. I guess anything is repairable with enough time and expense but I would be looking at other options on that one.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 2,365
Likes: 428
From: Cape Girardeau Missouri
That repair is one of the sort that likely looked pretty good for a while but failed due to a nearly inevitable problem.
What nearly inevitable problem you ask? The vinyl had cracked but no backing was installed to keep the crack from re-opening. Unfortunately when it comes to padded dashes where the vinyl is permanently attached to some sort of foam-like backing it's extremely difficult to install a backing. I say "extremely difficult" because if I use "impossible" I'm sure someone will demonstrate their success.
I've made numerous vinyl repairs in places that see significant wear (think seat bolsters) using that widely available Permatex kit. All have been serviceable (years) but such comes ONLY when you can properly install backing fabric. A precious few are what I call "invisible" but most require scrutiny.
What nearly inevitable problem you ask? The vinyl had cracked but no backing was installed to keep the crack from re-opening. Unfortunately when it comes to padded dashes where the vinyl is permanently attached to some sort of foam-like backing it's extremely difficult to install a backing. I say "extremely difficult" because if I use "impossible" I'm sure someone will demonstrate their success.
I've made numerous vinyl repairs in places that see significant wear (think seat bolsters) using that widely available Permatex kit. All have been serviceable (years) but such comes ONLY when you can properly install backing fabric. A precious few are what I call "invisible" but most require scrutiny.
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