Dash crack - help
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Dash crack - help
Does anyone have an idea or suggestion on how to slow or stop a crack in my dash from spreading. I have a 1981 vette and a small crack has started on my dash.
Thanks in advance for any help
Thanks in advance for any help
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,852
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
I've never repaired one with body filler, I'll have to try this.
We do have the new pads on sale right now though... you get an additional 10 percent off the forum price until the end of the month.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...rds=dash%20pad
We do have the new pads on sale right now though... you get an additional 10 percent off the forum price until the end of the month.
http://willcoxcorvette.com/advanced_...rds=dash%20pad
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 172
Likes: 2
From: Cumming GA
My dash had a crack in it and also a chunk about the size of a pencil eraser missing. I took the car to my body shop on the day that the person who repairs seat upholstery and the such was there. He repaired both and did a excellent job, matched the color on a ’82 dash. You can’t see where the damage was. Cost something like $55 I think. You may want to check with your used car dealer or a body shop to find one of these guys.
Andy
Andy
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 15
From: Oxford Ohio
I'm suspect if it started cracking in one spor additional spots will begin to show up. The entire dash is the same age. I'd vote for the replacement while they are on sale. I'm thinking about it for mine. I fixed a Camaro once and again and again and again. Then broke down and replaced it. Looks better and I don't keep seeing new ones. They don't give them away, but it's the part you see everytime you're in the car and all the time driving it. All your passengers see it while they are riding with you.
Kind of like putting new carpet in and painting your house before you try to sell it. When they look good they seem to drive better.
Kind of like putting new carpet in and painting your house before you try to sell it. When they look good they seem to drive better.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
You can fill the crack with polyester body filler (spot putty), but that won't stop a propagating crack. You first would need to put some kind of sturdy fabric or thin plastic patch under the end of that crack (use good epoxy to bond it to the vinyl top skin) so that the crack will not continue. Then use the body filler to get the cracked area up to the same level as the top skin...this may need several 'fills', as the filler shrinks when it dries. Finally, use SEM ColorCoat vinyl dye to recolor that area to match--or just re-dye the whole dash top so that the patch doesn't show.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 803
Likes: 4
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
I came across a product called Padded Dash Filler, or something. Supposed to be designed for the job. I don't think it's available here in New Zealand.
I haven't had much luck using bondo to fill cracks in the dash pads and windscreen trim. Even tried using plastic bumper filler. Must be doing something wrong. Either that or the bits are too dried out and brittle.
I haven't had much luck using bondo to fill cracks in the dash pads and windscreen trim. Even tried using plastic bumper filler. Must be doing something wrong. Either that or the bits are too dried out and brittle.
