Vinyl dash speaker screen repair
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 590
Likes: 2
From: Fairfield CT
Vinyl dash speaker screen repair
I've read the posts on vinyl repair and have a small crack on the dash pad to repair. I ordered the Eastwood Vinyl repair kit.
My question is how to repair the speaker screen, can it be repaired with the kit?
My question is how to repair the speaker screen, can it be repaired with the kit?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 803
Likes: 4
From: Christchurch, New Zealand
Bear in mind, I've never done a speaker grille repair before, but if it was my car, I'd try and get an old wrecked dash pad, cut a square piece out of the grille the same size as the piece that's broken and shrunk in yours, and set it in where the broken bit was, then use the repair kit to blend the joins. Just my 2c !!
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
I'm not sure how you would use the vinyl repair method, as it would fill some of those holes up. Then, how would you put the holes back in proper location?
I'm thinking that your best option would be to open the left dash area enough to remove the left-side speaker/mounting frame, clean the underside surface with a good cleaner (lacquer thinner?), then put a patch underneath while trying to push the damaged area together as best as possible. Maybe a small piece of "Gorilla Tape" (believe me, it is a lot sticker adhesive than plain ol' duct tape). If you want to open up any of the holes covered by tape, at least you will have the hole position defined well on the top side.
I'm thinking that your best option would be to open the left dash area enough to remove the left-side speaker/mounting frame, clean the underside surface with a good cleaner (lacquer thinner?), then put a patch underneath while trying to push the damaged area together as best as possible. Maybe a small piece of "Gorilla Tape" (believe me, it is a lot sticker adhesive than plain ol' duct tape). If you want to open up any of the holes covered by tape, at least you will have the hole position defined well on the top side.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,230
Likes: 4,324
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi m,
I agree with 7T1. You need to try to come up with a way to hold the gap closed first; and then try to repair the vinyl.
This looks like a small, but tough job.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
I agree with 7T1. You need to try to come up with a way to hold the gap closed first; and then try to repair the vinyl.
This looks like a small, but tough job.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 590
Likes: 2
From: Fairfield CT
OOOOOkay, then! I'm on my own. Actually, I like and may try the G-tape idea. I'll report the results. The dash is out, well, the whole interior is out and this is a used one I bought a couple years back for my project because the original is way to bad for repair. There's always $359.00 for a new one, I guess.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,264
Likes: 3
From: Vero Beach FL
I had a similar issue with my dash speaker grill. My attempt to make the repair was as follows. I used epoxy to fill the gaps of the torn material knowing that I was going to redye the whole dash. From the bottom side I used three nails lightly coated with oil to prevent the epoxy from sticking then used masking tape to hold them in place. From the topside I brushed the epoxy between the nails. I removed the nails after the epoxy setup. My results really did not work out as well as I had hoped but I do believe that this could work.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,116
From: Crossville TN
Well, if the dash pad is out of the car, you are well ahead on this one. Access is everything, when it comes to cosmetic repairs. I still believe the best approach is from the under side. But, you now have lots more possibilities on how you attack the problem.
The first order of business is to mend the tearing and put the pieces back where they belong. How you do that has many possibilities; but, I would suggest that you think all of them through very well in order to select an approach that you believe...up front...can be successful.
Buying a new dash pad is always a possibility. But, in my world, having to do that would mean that I failed my attempt to salvage an original part. There are usually (not always) better solutions than that.
The first order of business is to mend the tearing and put the pieces back where they belong. How you do that has many possibilities; but, I would suggest that you think all of them through very well in order to select an approach that you believe...up front...can be successful.
Buying a new dash pad is always a possibility. But, in my world, having to do that would mean that I failed my attempt to salvage an original part. There are usually (not always) better solutions than that.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 590
Likes: 2
From: Fairfield CT
I'm leaning toward a new one since this is a frame-off resto-mod. However, the principle of restoring an original part is adriving force. This dash pad, however, is not the original...it came from a '75 and looks like it was painted black over saddle. The original from my car is a mess.
