regluing dash edges?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,543
Likes: 1
From: Levittown NY
regluing dash edges?
Car is a 95. The edge of my dash is peeling up along the windshield. It's bad enough that the center vent cover doesn't stay snapped down. Now that the weather is warming up I want to fix it. I'm wondering if anyone has tackled this before? If so, what glue(s) did or didn't successfully work? Any tips or tricks? 
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,344
Likes: 48
From: San Marcos CA
Mine wasn't very bad on my old 95, but the curled-up-from-sitting-in-the-sun for too many years dash defect was one of a few reasons I decided to buy a cleaner C4 rather than restore the one I had. Pulling the windshield out would probably be required to have a chance of improving it.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
What we've done is to remove the dash pad, and using a small (1/4 comercial) staple gun, re-attach the rim of the top to the backing. It generally reguires staples about 3/4" apart to keep the top from "peaking" between the staples. If you want to cover the staples use a skin of black rtv along the edge. The staples should hold in the plastic backing permentatly. A manual stapler won't penatrate the plastic, so we use an air stapler (Harpor Freight has them cheap). Almost all of the 90 -96 cars subjected to sunlight will need this. It also re-attaches center console pads on the 90-96. It also works on the earlier door panels.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,543
Likes: 1
From: Levittown NY
This project is getting filed under "What the f____ were they thinking?". Got the dash pad out and I don't think any glue is going to fix this. There's foam between the rubber outside and plastic frame. If I glue it the foam will just crumble off.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 169
Likes: 4
From: I celebrate their entire catalog
My dash was peeling up just like yours, by the windshield. I pulled the dash out and used a 2 part epoxy that was made for plastic. I picked the plastic type epoxy because I figured the dash cover was a type of plastic or vinyl. I was careful to get the glue inside the dash as deep as I could, but at the same time not peel it up anymore and cause even more damage. Then I used 10 or more spring clamps with popsicle sticks and rulers to hold it down flat and level for 24 hours. I did that repair over two years ago and it still looks like new.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,543
Likes: 1
From: Levittown NY
My dash was peeling up just like yours, by the windshield. I pulled the dash out and used a 2 part epoxy that was made for plastic. I picked the plastic type epoxy because I figured the dash cover was a type of plastic or vinyl. I was careful to get the glue inside the dash as deep as I could, but at the same time not peel it up anymore and cause even more damage. Then I used 10 or more spring clamps with popsicle sticks and rulers to hold it down flat and level for 24 hours. I did that repair over two years ago and it still looks like new.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 169
Likes: 4
From: I celebrate their entire catalog
I vaguely remember some of the foam falling out on it's own and I probably scraped out some more so the glue could grab something solid. I don't think I got it totally sterile but I probably got it close. That 2 part plastic epoxy (permatex I think?) was good stuff.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,543
Likes: 1
From: Levittown NY
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 855
Likes: 36
From: Crystal Springs MS
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,543
Likes: 1
From: Levittown NY
Obviously only time will tell how well this holds up but it seems to be doing ok. I went ahead and glued the other half today. Definitely scuff the plastic first! Any place the plastic wasn't scuffed first, the glue popped off.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
It comes off fairly easily. Remove the top sensor pad, the cluster plastic suround, the center bezel and pass side air vents. Then remove the 7mm and phillips head screws (check for hidden screws). We've tried the epoxy methods with generally bad results. The staple method is easier, permenant, and looks better, and you don't have to shave the foam edge and use a bunch of clamps. Once you figure it out, it should take about three hours start to finish. There is about an 1/8th lip around the edge so the staples are pretty much out of sight.
Last edited by zr1fred; Mar 10, 2012 at 03:24 PM.
