Repairing dash panels question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
Repairing dash panels question
I need to repair the right and left side lower dash panels on my 68 convert where they join the center metal gauge panel. The places on the side panels where the screws join the metal gauge panel to the composite/plastic side panels are pretty much useless holding the screws, due to the panels being removed multiple times over the years. Prev owner tried to repair one side with some kind of filler, but it did not work well. Screws have nothing to bite into to hold. I am going to attempt to epoxy some metal self-tapping screw fixtures, but am not sure that is the best fix, since they will need to be dead center and they usually need to move a little. Has anyone found a good strong filler that will withstand drilling and holding the panel screws? RA
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 480
Likes: 42
From: Los Angeles CA
I need to repair the right and left side lower dash panels on my 68 convert where they join the center metal gauge panel. The places on the side panels where the screws join the metal gauge panel to the composite/plastic side panels are pretty much useless holding the screws, due to the panels being removed multiple times over the years. Prev owner tried to repair one side with some kind of filler, but it did not work well. Screws have nothing to bite into to hold. I am going to attempt to epoxy some metal self-tapping screw fixtures, but am not sure that is the best fix, since they will need to be dead center and they usually need to move a little. Has anyone found a good strong filler that will withstand drilling and holding the panel screws? RA
Good luck and let us know how it works.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,200
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi r,
There is a nylon 'bushing' used in later dash panels that was placed at the general locations of the bezel screws on that edge of the pad.
The 'bushings' are designed so that there's some 'leeway' as to just where the screw needs to be in order to fasten securely. The 'bushing' is a longish oval shape.
If you want to consider using them I believe Willcox has them.
Regards,
Alan
There is a nylon 'bushing' used in later dash panels that was placed at the general locations of the bezel screws on that edge of the pad.
The 'bushings' are designed so that there's some 'leeway' as to just where the screw needs to be in order to fasten securely. The 'bushing' is a longish oval shape.
If you want to consider using them I believe Willcox has them.
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Oct 19, 2015 at 02:04 PM.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 254
From: Catlett VA
panel repair
Hi r,
There is a nylon 'bushing' used in later dash panels that was placed at the general locations of the bezel screws on that edge of the pad.
The 'bushings' are designed so that there's some 'leeway' as to just where the screw needs to be in order to fasten securely. The 'bushing' is a longish oval shape.
If you want to consider using them I believe Willcox has them.
Regards,
Alan
There is a nylon 'bushing' used in later dash panels that was placed at the general locations of the bezel screws on that edge of the pad.
The 'bushings' are designed so that there's some 'leeway' as to just where the screw needs to be in order to fasten securely. The 'bushing' is a longish oval shape.
If you want to consider using them I believe Willcox has them.
Regards,
Alan
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Another solution.. And something I always suggest to have around to anyone working on these old cars... Plastic Fusion or Plastic Weld (two different names, same stuff).
This is the same style epoxy a dentist uses to make temporary crowns... It's great to use to repair breaks in any kind of plastic... and you can also force it into a hole, allow to cure and then re-drill the hole without having issues.
If you have a crack in plastic, you v-groove the crack, back fill it and allow to dry.... it's good stuff and available at almost any hardware store...
Willcox
This is the same style epoxy a dentist uses to make temporary crowns... It's great to use to repair breaks in any kind of plastic... and you can also force it into a hole, allow to cure and then re-drill the hole without having issues.
If you have a crack in plastic, you v-groove the crack, back fill it and allow to dry.... it's good stuff and available at almost any hardware store...
Willcox
Skip Shift
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,031
Likes: 419
From: Citrus Hills, Florida
I have been using J-B Weld on my right side dash panel. Had quite a few areas that had seen better times. The J-B Weld worked like a champ for me and is real easy to work with.
Had used this before on my 68 Olds door arm rest which after all the years started to crack internally. Been good so far for 3 years! Hope this helps you.
Fred
Had used this before on my 68 Olds door arm rest which after all the years started to crack internally. Been good so far for 3 years! Hope this helps you.
Fred
