solty202003

Ok i usually don't post here a lot but i am trying this out because obviously i own a thirdgen!! Anyway i figured you guys could help out more then the camaro z28 forum. Like many i have a cracked dashpad that is very ugly and i was trying to think of ways to fabricate something out of it. I was thinking of trying to use some type of filler to fill the crack in smoothly and then sand the whole dashpad smooth. After sanding it smooth paint it with like a gloss or flat black then after that hit it with a coat of clear coat to finish it off and give it a professional look. Tell me what you guys think and throw any ideas that you have at me !! Oh and if i did that and it looked good, then i would do the piece around the heater controls and then the shift plate to match.

okfoz

If you can pull it off it would look good. Some problems I could possibly forsee:

Since the dash pad was originally covered with Vinyl, you would have to use something that would be flexable. They do make a urithane repair kit it for bumpers that would probably flex enough, but it has to bond to the vinyl. Problem being if the filler is not flexable then it would crack when you put any pressure on it.

When these things crack it seems that the cracks raise on the edges so you would hve to cut away more material to get it smooth.

Its worth a shot.. Tell us how it goes.

John

VERTIGO Z28

iTrader: (1)

Time for over priced used replacement from ebay, or over priced used replacement from the classifieds here.
Once it is cracked there is nothing you can do repair it. I would say good luck but on this one I'd say exercise the wallet.

Mr_Metal

I'm STILL doing the repair on my 'cracked' dashpad, just like hundreds of other 3rd Gen members (time has NOT been permitting) !!

Long story short...
I have a length of black interior vinyl (my Aunt used to work for Ford Motor Co. back in the day).
I'm going to strip off the old brittle, cracked, fubar'd dash vinyl and adhere this NEW vinyl to it... and post pics of how it turns out.

I'm thinking/hoping that others can purchase the vinyl from an interior shop/wholesaler and do the same way as well.

Pics/info to follow...

samdog1232000

I would check out some local junk yards... Surprisingly I found 3 dash pads at that yard not cracked.... They were dirty like no other but once I cleaned them and put a proctectant gel coat on them it looked like new..... I got them for $25 bucks a piece.......

VERTIGO Z28

iTrader: (1)

You will NEVER get the corners and speaker grills right. If you have enough money for a vacume forming machine you have enough money for a better condition dashpad. PERIOD.

3rdgenstm

I have seen a formed plastic overlay that attaches to the pad with 3M VHB double sided tape. I think it was about $75, but you could pick up a good used one for that much. Do a search on ebay for the overlay.

okfoz

I have a list of parts that I get whenever I go to a junkyard. wether I need them or not... An uncracked good condition Dashpad is one of them... I get them ALL if I got the money (luckily I know the owner of the junkyard I visit ) BUT like a moron I neglected to get some Formed Plastic interior door panels before they were destroied oh well

John

solty202003

care to hook me up with one next time you go to the junkyard? maybe a little cheaper then the rest?