I have an 82 z and the dash has 3 cracks in it, smallest being about 3 inches long half inch wide, the rest being 6-8 inches, still 1/2 inch wide. I was wondering if anyone has repaired any of these dashes? or knows of a way to do it. I've heard clear silicone and rattle can, or bondo plastic metal, but it seems to not fill very well, and the bondo just doesn't evenly fill it.


Open to any and all suggestions, thank you.

 

From what I have read I think plastic epoxy and spray on bedliner get the best results. I have one crack about 2" long on the left side near the speaker. I might build up the courage to try it. I would hate to ruin my dash since that is the ONLY crack it has.

Oh yeah, drill the ends of the cracks to keep them from spreading. I WILL be doing this at the very least.

 

Thank you, I'll have to give that a try!

 

Do yourself a favor and try to find a replacement. It will never come out right and the cracks will return. I am telling you this from experience.

 

don't waist your time,get a replacement.

 

I'm all for getting a replacement, but why not give it shot? If I knew I was going to be getting a replacement I would try to fix the old one just to see how it goes. Couldn't really hurt...

 

I wasted hours - probably days filling, sanding, and texturing, and painting only to have the crack return. I should have thrown the pad in the garbage. It is time I will never get back that I could have spent on something more productive.

 

I just filled the cracks with bondo and covered it in vinyl. Costs about $35.00 for a yard . Be careful though because it will barely cover, Make sure you test fit the vinyl to the pad. It will be diagonal to the pad to make it fit, then mark the center Glue about a foot wide section in the middle first. center the vinyl to the pad, then stick. Then do each end one at a time making sure you stretch the vinyl so it covers the ends. Super glue the seams, after it dries you can take fine grade sandpaper and "level" out the glue. A little black paint on the glues hides the seam very well, The corners and the center section on the defroster vent will be the hardest but just fill the imperfection with super glue and paint. Make sure that you staple the under side to keep it stretched It doesn't look perfect but I was not going to by a used one just to have it crack too!

 

are you talking about the dash pad or the actual dash itself?

my dash pad is cracked to hell and i will eventually get a replacement, but will be trying to repair it myself as well,

my Dash has cracks in quite a few places, i will also be removing it and trying my hand at repairing it, probably plastic weld it like i did my headliner when it split installing it

 

Dash pad.

 

its normal for these dash to crack or chip off or something ? cause my iroc z crack few spot too,

 

Yes, almost everyone on here has had to deal with a cracked dash pad at some point. Probably one of the most frequently worn-out parts on our cars along with driver's seats and console lids.

 

You guys are wasting your time.

 

I disagree, I know what I'm doing when it comes to body work, also plastic restoration,

I consider it a waste of time and money to buy a new dash pad and have it crack after only a few years

My 89' RS has a mint pad, and the dash itself only has hairline cracks which have been repaired

The Iroc has massive cracks in the dash and the pad is trash but I'm still gonna repair it because I know I have the skill to

 

My question was directed to the OP, I know what everyone else is talking about, the OP did not clarify in his post if he was talking about the dash pad, or the actual dash, they are two very different pieces with very different ways of repair

 

OK - it's your time and money in materials. Even if you were able to repair the cracks, the grain will never look right.

 

Grain isn't an issue, it may not come out like stock but it will look good and to the untrained eye look factory

 

OK - post up some pics when your done. I can't wait to see how it comes out.

 

sub to my "saving an 89' iroc" thread, pics will be posted periodically with progress

 

Subscribed to both. I want to see how this turns out. Good Luck!

 

The dash pad, the top part of the dash with the defroster vents, and speakers and what not. I can get the cracks filled in, but, they're still raised I think i need to cut the "bubbled" up edges of the crack out.

 

Dash pads NEVER crack or fade on me and interior panels never crack or fade on me either. YOU MUST keep something on it to keep the vinyl and plastic soft. I have NEVER had a dash pad crack on me once I get my hands on a good one. I always buy these cars with already cracked dried out pads, replace the pad and it NEVER cracks again even in the coldest or hottest months. How you ask? I use a Car-brite product known as Dazzle on them and I've used it for over 13 years. It is non silicone based and conditions vinyl, plastic, rubber and will restore coloring as well. Completely eliminates fading as well. I bought a full tan interior out of an 86 for my 82 about 6 years ago that already had some light fading in the hatch area. I immediately started treating it with Dazzle and it has not faded worse and none of the other tan has faded at all even after several hundred car shows sitting out in the sun and the windows are not tinted.

I treat the pad and interior panels once every 3 months and I have never had any of it crack on me, not once. I can reach up, take my finger and press down the vinyl on the dash pad and watch it rise back like memory foam! That's what every third gen owner should have!

The catch...you can't just walk into a local store and buy this stuff. I get it through a friend of mine who is a car detailer and he orders it for me.

 

I've never had a dash pad crack on me either, i use black magic and turtle wax ice total interior on my cars,

i bought the iroc from florida, you are not going to stop the florida sun from damaging your plastics if the car sits in the elements for years, doesn't matter how often you clean and protect your interior that dash pad will dry out and crack(notice i said IF the car sits for YEARS)

my RS has had a mint dash pad since I've owned it(2007) and im sure if i bought a new pad for the iroc it wouldn't crack for a very long time either if at all, but there have been people who live in extreme climates buy new products and have them deteriorate in a matter of months

 

yup cut away the raised edges and make sure they get a good seal back down or they will raise again

 

i think they make repros of the dash pads now, i just replaced mine with a perfect one from a junkyard paid $1 for it. best investment i made so far

 

Where on earth are you guys getting your replacement dash pads?? I have looked everywhere and all I can find are those dash covers

 

Here you go...

http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/pr...-Dash-Pad.html

 

Holy cow, you have no idea how helpful that is! I have been looking around for almost a year now with no success. Thank you so much!