Anyone have any success getting the lower dash back into shape where it seperates from the bezel?

It's not cracked, just deformed.

 

I have a 69 bright blue to and it's the same as yours except I just disassembled it down to bare nothing,console lower left and right dash pads,center console,top dash pad and other misc. items.If I can get it all back together(dubius) I'll let you know if it's still out of position.

 

I hope it works out for you. I had the same problem on a previous vette. It was warped too. I cracked the darn thing trying to straiten it out.

 

ha, I broke my speedo tach pad also,more disassembly

 

This mis-fit was a problem even at St. Louis.
By 1971 the left and right pads had a little groove added to them, right at the point your picture shows, that recieves a 'tab' that was added to the shifter console upper front corners. This helps keep the pieces lined up but was not a total cure.
Is there any way to add some 'resin' to the back side of the pad corner that would harden while you hold the pad straight?
Regards,
Alan

 

I was thinking something similar. Put a small metal brace on the back and attach it with resin or something. Perhaps use a heat gun on the back as suggested by Mr Vette to possibly reshape it without breaking. Do you know if the panel backing is plastic?

 

the plastic backing can be repaired with dental acrylic. talk to a local dental laboratory or your dentist.

 

The lower dash pad fit from the factory was horrible and to add to this the lower pad corners tend to warp even more with age.

There really is nothing you can do aside from trying to bond some metal stock to the back of it. Even then you run the risk of cracking the end of the pad when you pull it back.

The updated version of this with the extra groove was not much help either. In all, the 68-76 lower pads all pretty much did this from the start.

One glue that works miracles with the plastic backing is called “Plastic Fusion” or Plastic Weld. Its funny one of my better friends is a dentist and I sold him a tube of this one time. Jnb5101 is exactly correct! When my friend used the stuff he called me on the phone laughing. Aside form a few slight differences this is the same stuff Dentist use to make temporary teeth. I believe the stuff they get is in powder form and has a catalyst added to it vs. the plastic fusion bought over the counter which is a two part epoxy.

You’ll have to take my word on this until you try it, the stuff really works great! When you this glue you have to scuff what ever you are gluing and treat it just like you would a filler material. You can sand it, paint it and fill it again if needed.

Willcox Inc.

 

Hi Wilcox,
Plastic Fusion sounds like some good 'stuff'.
Do you carry it, if not where did you get it?
Regards,
Alan

PS: Does it come with any hints on starting a backyard dental practice?
In India, men set up right on the street corner and do dental work. People sit on the curb and get their teeth repaired. Honest!!!

 

Ok. I will probably try the metal brace and some of that plastic fusion.

Probably affix one side of the brace with the fusion. Let it cure. Then apply some heat to soften up the corner, then bend back and bond with the fusion. Put a clamp on it and let it dure.

If it cracks, then I'll still put the brace on it to hold it in place....can't be worse than it is now...unless I break the vinyl....that would suck.

 

Let us know how it works out

 

I had success with mine by using a heat gun (not too strongly, careful not to burn), and some patience (take your time, apply pressure gently to bend). Using it I was able to carefully fit all my new dashpad pieces snuggly.

 

That's good to know. There is hope. Thanks for the info!

 

Alan,

The glue can be purchased by two different names, Plastic Fusion and Plastic Weld. Permetex makes one and I don't know who makes the other one. Both are carried by Wal-Mart, Meijer’s, Home Depot and just about any place that carries epoxy glue. You'll have an easy time finding it.

I’m sorry; you’ll have go to the India web site to find the instructions.

If bubba finds out this stuff is available over the counter there are going to be a ton of rednecks with new teeth!



Willcox

 

I recently purchased a package of 'Plastex' to repair these same parts. I haven't tried it yet, so I can't say how well it works.

I got it via www.plastex.ca

If anyone has experience with Plastex, hopefully they will chime in.