[roy381]

Anyone ever repair a dash pad crack (about an inch) ? If so what type of materials did you use?

This is a 67 pad

Thanks in advance

[rohrt]

They make a product call padded dash filler. similar to a bondo product. fill in the crack and sand down smooth.

I then recovered my dash with new vinyl material. I was pretty happy with how it turned out.

[roy381]

Thanks Rohrt I will look into the filler

[roy381]

I did a search of reviews on the filler seems that there were issues with the pads cracking again. I didn't want to recover the entire pad as you did for a small crack. I guess the search continues.

[rohrt]

That was the same issue I found with all crack repair products. either matching the grain was impossible or the cracks would reappear.

[Jeff Hamlin]

IMO once a pad has cracked it's basically dried out beyond any hope for a "Repair"
The vinyl has shrunk and will continue to so as its exposed to any sunlight.

IIRC there was a full slip on/glue on cap/cover,
I can't speak to that as I've never seen one up close.

Having one restored is the BEST option but with a cost of upwards to 1000,
So I understand how most prefer another approach.

I would consider a repop and then color it if needed.

Or a good used and slowly conditioning it back to life,
there just getting harder to find.

[mrennie]

Originally Posted by Jeff Hamlin

IMO once a pad has cracked it's basically dried out beyond any hope for a "Repair"
The vinyl has shrunk and will continue to so as its exposed to any sunlight.

IIRC there was a full slip on/glue on cap/cover,
I can't speak to that as I've never seen one up close.

Having one restored is the BEST option but with a cost of upwards to 1000,
So I understand how most prefer another approach.

I would consider a repop and then color it if needed.

Or a good used and slowly conditioning it back to life,
there just getting harder to find.

What is recommended for conditioning the factory vinyl dash? I have an original black 70 dash that I will be using in my car and it is in really good condition with no cracks, would love to keep it that way.

[78w72]

Originally Posted by mrennie

What is recommended for conditioning the factory vinyl dash? I have an original black 70 dash that I will be using in my car and it is in really good condition with no cracks, would love to keep it that way.

303 protectant. google them & you can get a free sample. great stuff!

[Jeff Hamlin]

Originally Posted by mrennie

What is recommended for conditioning the factory vinyl dash? I have an original black 70 dash that I will be using in my car and it is in really good condition with no cracks, would love to keep it that way.

I prefer Meguiar's Mirror Glaze #40 Cleaner/Conditioner.
Not a Top coat but a true conditioner/cleaner, stinky stuff but works real good.

[gtospieg]

Can these conditioners be used on a dyed dash pad?

[78w72]

Originally Posted by gtospieg

Can these conditioners be used on a dyed dash pad?

"dye"? i'm sure you mean paint. but yes they can be used, they wont treat the vinyl under the coat of paint, but 303 & meguires do have UV protectant. both are great for other interior parts & tires & weatherstrips etc etc.

[Jeff Hamlin]

Originally Posted by gtospieg

Can these conditioners be used on a dyed dash pad?

I would say like with anything that has been Re-colored/Painted/Dyed it's best to do a test spot to be sure.
Can't speak on the 303 but the #40 is has good cleaning abilities and may effect/remove some color.

[78w72]

always good to do a test spot on unknown things. i should have said i have & do use meguires on a painted dash & other parts in a 2nd gen t/a i own, no issues at all, but i know its not treating the actual vinyl due to the light coat of paint on it. i used the SEM brand plastic/vinyl paint that many others incorrectly call dyes. i used the meguires before i knew about 303. both are great products.

[HWYSTR455]

I did a dash cap once and it turned out really good. The only areas that were questionable was the glove box opening, and on the very far outer edges. There was minor mis-fit in those areas, but not very noticeable. (You would have to be looking). With the caps, it's all about the prep when it comes to end results. It still looked good after 8 years too.

I just recently got a refurb, from a place in texas, over ebay, it's a 2nd, and looks pretty good. Think I paid $675 with a core. My core's radio opening was cut, I called, and told them I wanted a cut one back, no problem, gave me full core credit. Only complaint I have is that if you compress an area on the dash that's padded, it doesn't spring back right away, and takes time to relax back to shape. I suspect that would be better in warmer weather/conditions.

Places like Just Dashes I have heard mixed results, is expensive, and usually a long turn around time.

There are some repair materials out there, but usually, at the point the dash needs repairs, it's already past the brittle stage, and will just crack again, if not in the same spot, another spot. Eastwood has a vinyl repair kit, but it's tough to get the grain right, even with the patch they give you that you press on the repair before it fully cures. There's always a transition that is visible, and the color/glossiness is never the same.

.

[HWYSTR455]

Oh wait, a 67? Those are available repop for like $250.

.

[gtospieg]

Legendary sells the repops...they said don't buy it...get your original restored. This was a few years ago...maybe the quality of current repops is better.

[roy381]

I've seen a current repop and not very impressed, it looks cheap.

[ERIC AULL]

I had a 67 Dash pad recovered by Just Dashes...about 4 years ago.....$700 very nice job.

[Bobalong]

I put a dash cap over my badly cracked 70 dash. Without looking for the receipt, my
guess is that it's been on there 25+ years.
Unless you get a flashlight, open the glove compartment door, and begin a thorough exam
of the dash you can't tell it is there. Nobody knows I capped it. I forgot I capped it until I started
reading this thread.
Still looks like new.
Now my rear window shelf ? I recovered it with factory looking mesh. It looks ok, fading.
Wish I had tinted the back window or made a cover for it. I'd dye it (yes they call it dye, although
it sprays on and comes in a spray paint can) but it might be easier to just remove and replace it again.