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First week out of the winter barn. Came out from work earlier this week, hot day - and noticed this crack in the dash just in front of the steering wheel. Anyone have any luck or knowledge repairing a cracked dash? Understanding it won't be perfect, hoping it is possible to make it less noticeable and keep it from expanding. Any thoughts/suggestions? -- Thanks in advance.
That sucks. What year Vette and how was it stored? I don't think I seen any posts showing damage like that. Have you ever used anything on the dash as a cleaner or protectant that could have reacted?
That sucks. What year Vette and how was it stored? I don't think I seen any posts showing damage like that. Have you ever used anything on the dash as a cleaner or protectant that could have reacted?
It's a base 07, Auto 3LT. Only had it a couple of months now, and it has been in our garage (Chessy, VA - not real cold - stays in the 50/60's in the garage) most of the time until this week. Only used water & mild soap to clean it once since I had it, as it wasn't getting dirty sitting inside the garage. According to records, it "grew up" in PA, and then moved to VA around 2012. Can't speak to what the previous two owners may have used on the dash, but it seamed to be well taken care of otherwise despite the mileage (88K).
Anyone have any luck or knowledge repairing a cracked dash? Understanding it won't be perfect, hoping it is possible to make it less noticeable and keep it from expanding. Any thoughts/suggestions? -- Thanks in advance.[/IMG]
Swing by a dealer or two local to you & ask who they use for dash/interior repairs. Dealers usually sub-out this kind of job.
I've seen dashes where the repair was virtually invisible & others not so much. Either way cracking's stopped since two edges are glued together using an adhesive dyed to match dash/interior color.
Personally I couldn't live with it, would get a replacement & contract an interior shop to install. It's a Corvette, deserves better than a cheapy fix. YMMV. JMHO, G/L
Well, I suspect owners/drivers get a pass legally. But passengers must be beautiful. It's the law!!
All fun aside, as a soon to be retiree, spending 10% + of the recent purchase value to purchase a complete new GM pad is probably not going to happen. Hopefully I can find a good local shop that can repair it, or it will have to wait until I have all that retiree time on my hands to take the thing out and have it recovered. In that the steering wheel hides it from my view while driving, I doubt it will lessen the wide grin I always have going from point A to B.
That isn't any reaction to any chemical. It is clearly impact damage. Someone hit that dash pad right on the edge and caved it in. I know because I cracked my '00 Z28 Camaro's dash pad by whacking it with the heel of my hand. There was a cracked solder joint in the BCM that would kill the radio and the power windows. A sharp whack on the top of the dash would sometimes "fix" it. I used a kit from the local auto parts store to cover up my stupidity. It wasn't invisible, but at least the crack was gone. I also pulled the BCM and re-soldered the guilty joint and that really fixed the problem.
That isn't any reaction to any chemical. It is clearly impact damage. Someone hit that dash pad right on the edge and caved it in. I know because I cracked my '00 Z28 Camaro's dash pad by whacking it with the heel of my hand. There was a cracked solder joint in the BCM that would kill the radio and the power windows. A sharp whack on the top of the dash would sometimes "fix" it. I used a kit from the local auto parts store to cover up my stupidity. It wasn't invisible, but at least the crack was gone. I also pulled the BCM and re-soldered the guilty joint and that really fixed the problem.
YOU ARE CORRECT!! When I got home this afternoon, noticed that when I turned the vehicle off and released the steering wheel adjustment lever, it sprang to the top as usual. I then noticed that because the SW was turned a bit, the paddle shifter was actually pressing into the dash pad at that point and compressing it about 3/8". WOW!!! Another engineering oversight by the folks at GM!! I can't believe it. Never had that issue with my C5, but it didn't have shift paddles either. What a bummer.
Well, as you say, perhaps some black silicone will correct it visibly, but I will have to make sure the wheel is always "straight" before letting it up all the way.
If you mean the entire OEM unit, far too expensive at this point. I was thinking of the "fit over" type (Better than what it is now) but can't find one for the C6. Found some for C3's and C5's, but the only other alternative I found for the C6 was the "carpet" style, and I don't think that would hide this damage too well. If you know of a link I am willing to look at alternatives - or a cheaper OEM style pad. I could change it out a few months once retired with the spare time, but not at the OEM prices.
Vas ist das releasing the wheel adjustment lever? Do you have to move the wheel to the top of its range to get in and out of the car? I've had my C6 for a year and I'm no little guy, but I've never needed to push the wheel all the way to the top to enter or exit my Vette. Is that what you were doing when the dash pad mysteriously cracked? Why were we even discussing what the P.O.s might have used on the pad?
Last edited by RagTop69; Apr 21, 2016 at 03:42 PM.
Keep an eye on ebay, and watch the parts for sale section on this forum..If your not in a big hurry you can probably pick up a used dash, or one from a "part out" for a lot less money then GM wants...WW
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Dash Crack - Repairable?
Anyone have any luck or knowledge repairing a cracked dash? Understanding it won't be perfect, hoping it is possible to make it less noticeable and keep it from expanding. Any thoughts/suggestions? -- Thanks in advance.
..WW
