Cracked Dash repaired

[FastVert]

Any one who has ever let their F-Body sit in the sun will find out what I mean (mine lives in the garage so it only took it 14yrs for it to happen). When I pullled it out to attempt to repair it was so brittle it broke into several pieces not just the big crack across it. I found this article http://www.fbodyonline.com/fix-cracked-dash-in-4th-gen/ (http://www.fbodyonline.com/fix-cracked-dash-in-4th-gen/)
It is very helpful and it totally works accept I bought thick black construction paper / cardboard for .99 at Walgreens. I used the same plastic weld from Advance Auto (5.89 a tube) and I had to purchase 2. I'll post pics later just wanted to give some good advice to save some money as these things cost 242.00 to buy.

[96LT1355Z28]

Nice I'm trying to repair this problem right now. I wonder what he did around the defrost vent, it's hard to tell in the picture.

[FastVert]

Nice I'm trying to repair this problem right now. I wonder what he did around the defrost vent, it's hard to tell in the picture.

It's not that bad if you take your time and do the pieces inidvidually, my vent was in 6 different pieces. Here is what it looks like together ( I was impressed with the plastic weld / epoxy it worked as advertised).

[Tarheel'Z']

i applaud you guys for going through all that for the repair,BUT,,is 242.00 really that bad for a brand new dash that will last you another 14 years?no matter how good your repair turns out you still have a 14 yr old brittle dash that will crack again in another spot..maybe im alone on this one but id much rather drop 242.00 on a brand new one i dont have to worry about than doing all that work and still have an old dash.for 14 yrs that new dash will only be 17 bucks a year,,food for thought:peace2:

[96LT1355Z28]

Mines not that bad! It's actually in pretty good shape otherwise, it's been garage kept all its life. I just got impatient when removing it and cracked it right in the center in front of the driver. 2 months ago I would have just bought a new one but now all my $ is at the machine shop with my engine. So it's DIY for me for awhile at least!

[bluebird94]

$242 is a lot of money, especially for a plastic piece that will just crack again. I think this article has been posted before, but I'm gonna try this when I get some time. Where does vinyl come from?

[Tarheel'Z']

$242 is a lot of money, especially for a plastic piece that will just crack again.

crack again? yeah in another 14 years,,the one you repair could crack the day after its put back in because its still a brittle old dash,,im not knocking the repair as far as i think its looks great when its done right,,but damn that looks like alot of work for no guarantees it wont happen again a week later,,to each his(or her) own

[FastVert]

The material I'm covering it in WONT crack or become brittle! So I won't spend another God knows how much it will cost in 10yrs to replace it again, plus with the new cover it becomes more sturdy - Follow me? That 242.00 will go toward the Suspension, Brake upgrades etc. Priorities

[FastVert]

crack again? yeah in another 14 years,,the one you repair could crack the day after its put back in because its still a brittle old dash,,im not knocking the repair as far as i think its looks great when its done right,,but damn that looks like alot of work for no guarantees it wont happen again a week later,,to each his(or her) own

It's really not a lot of work, remove A pillar covers pop off dash- epoxy and cover. Total actual work time maybe 2hrs. Plus I still have 220.00 left over :cheers:

[Tarheel'Z']

guess ill just be wrong on this one,,but my 30th Z is the nicest hotrod car ive ever had and ill be damned if my dash is gonna be held together with epoxy and cardboard etc,,if keeping my Z in showroom type condition means a 242 dash then thats what its gettin..if my 1990 bronco II with 400k needs a dash ill get out the epoxy..you guys have such bad ass cars (better than mine in my oppinion) i guess thats why its hard for me to understand why you would choose that route.. i know you might take this post the wrong way i hope you dont,,im just hard headed:cheers: :peace2:

[CamaroGirl]

It's really not a lot of work, remove A pillar covers pop off dash- epoxy and cover. Total actual work time maybe 2hrs. Plus I still have 220.00 left over :cheers:
is it really that easy to take off? i wasn't sure, i got my car painted last year and i dont know how it happened but i got it back and there was this tiny little crack that started at the window and then over the summer went straight to the vent-was cleaning the car today and had i known it was a simple thing to remove i would have taken it off right there...damn, next time i guess.

[FastVert]

Be very careful getting it out or you will break it into pieces "don't ask me how I know that" LOL.

[Z28pr0jekt]

Be very careful getting it out or you will break it into pieces "don't ask me how I know that" LOL.
x2 I can take mine off in about 3 separate pieces lol

[bluebird94]

crack again? yeah in another 14 years,,the one you repair could crack the day after its put back in because its still a brittle old dash,,im not knocking the repair as far as i think its looks great when its done right,,but damn that looks like alot of work for no guarantees it wont happen again a week later,,to each his(or her) own

Well, that's the point. It's covered in vinyl so it doesn't matter when it gets more cracks. And probably, since it will already have been broken in some places and will hold less tension, more cracking won't be very likely. Seems like more work to make $242 to go towards a ~zomgbrandnew~ plastic piece that doesn't have the reinforcement of vinyl...

[Tarheel'Z']

hmmm a indestructable thin vinyl cover,,wonder when that starts fading and tearing?ill quote my previous post and leave you guys and gals alone about it,wonder what youll be gluing and covering next?


guess ill just be wrong on this one,,but my 30th Z is the nicest hotrod car ive ever had and ill be damned if my dash is gonna be held together with epoxy and cardboard etc,,if keeping my Z in showroom type condition means a 242 dash then thats what its gettin..if my 1990 bronco II with 400k needs a dash ill get out the epoxy..you guys have such bad ass cars (better than mine in my oppinion) i guess thats why its hard for me to understand why you would choose that route.. i know you might take this post the wrong way i hope you dont,,im just hard headed:cheers: :peace2:

[bluebird94]

Dude, it's not like we all don't want a brand new one. Some of us just don't have as much money as you to throw around, especially on a really trivial part of the car. Stop knockin' the DIY method. As long as it looks nice, who cares

[LT1]

Wonder if anyone makes a carbon fiber version, maybe then we have something more durable we wont have to mess with it again. lol it would be a 1 time purchase.

[Z28pr0jekt]

Wonder if anyone makes a carbon fiber version, maybe then we have something more durable we wont have to mess with it again. lol it would be a 1 time purchase.
It can be wrapped in CF but will still be susceptible to UV rays and will fade

[bluebird94]

Have to start using those silly windshield sun screens. Though my buddy always uses those and his 99 z28 is already starting to crack :P

[badfnta]

i just got some plastic epoxy to do this befor summer. i hope it holds up well

[Silver Bullet]

i applaud you guys for going through all that for the repair,BUT,,is 242.00 really that bad for a brand new dash that will last you another 14 years?no matter how good your repair turns out you still have a 14 yr old brittle dash that will crack again in another spot..maybe im alone on this one but id much rather drop 242.00 on a brand new one i dont have to worry about than doing all that work and still have an old dash.for 14 yrs that new dash will only be 17 bucks a year,,food for thought:peace2:


fro soem poeple liek me it is i barely have enough money to keep my car running so this is an easy fix for me

[LT1]

Been avoiding taking mine off to delete the HVAC on my Z.
I know once i pulll it, will break into pieces.

[Purple94z28]

im so glad my dash pad isn't cracked i heard they break easy tho

[bluebird94]

Any ideas on where to get vinyl for this project? I tried Wal-mart and they do have some stuff that would work but it only comes in black and brown. Hobby Lobby didnt have anything remotely close. My car has graphite interior, so I was wanting a grey... but would black be ok? it would prolly fade anyway...

[Fastbird]

Ebay. Hate to say it, but ebay.

[dsmawd350]

man mine ended up broken when it got pulled out for the cage. got it all fixed up with the plastic weld and went to test fit it and there is literally no way to get in in around the down bars through the dash. I think im fucked. thought about cutting it near the edgethen putting it in then thrying to re attach some way but idk what to do

[Phstratton]

Is there anyway to wrap it in something that won't fade?

[razor02097]

I was wondering if anyone ever fiberglassed the dash? Vinyl is okay and all but in a car with cloth interior I would think it would be way out of place.

[Phstratton]

If you cover it in vinyl it kind of matches the console door and you could even cover other pieces in vinyl as well so that they match.

Could you not just paint it?

[razor02097]

I guess if you could match the vinyl to the stock plastic color it would be okay. The OP's article has a beautifully done piece.