Best method to fix cracks on dash?

[jballard81]

Good afternoon!
I pulled a dash out the JY yesterday and while it's way better than mine, it has a couple cracks. I've seen a few folks that have restored theirs. What products do you use? Any tips you can pass on?
Here's a couple pics of what I'm working with:

Really the only problem area is right at the defrost vent and a long crack leading away from the vent.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Blmpkn]

Fixing it so it ends up looking nice and not cracking further in the future is a lot of work. They crack because the material has dried up enough to shrink, and there really isn't a way to get the moist back in it unfortunately.

you can take a razor blade and cut the crack into a V shape channel more or less.. fill with epoxy.. sand flat.. and then topcoat with something thick and durable like truck bed coat.. but your always gonna need to be careful not to touch the thing with too much vigor once it's all done or else it's gonna just crack more.

There is an EXTREMELY well written and photo documented thread about the process on one of the various GM square body forums.. but to see the pictures you gotta be a member.

If you're serious about DIY'ing it back to life.. it would be well worth it for you to spend the few minutes making an account on the forum so you can see the pictures.

How To Refurbish Your Dashpad

This isn't show quality, but I think it turned out great for a daily driver. You'll probably be starting off with a dash that looks a lot like this. First, take a sharp knife and cut off all the curled up edges along the cracks. Cut back far enough to get into the vinyl that's still somewhat...

www.gmsquarebody.com

 

[jballard81]

Fixing it so it ends up looking nice and not cracking further in the future is a lot of work. They crack because the material has dried up enough to shrink, and there really isn't a way to get the moist back in it unfortunately.

you can take a razor blade and cut the crack into a V shape channel more or less.. fill with epoxy.. sand flat.. and then topcoat with something thick and durable like truck bed coat.. but your always gonna need to be careful not to touch the thing with too much vigor once it's all done or else it's gonna just crack more.

There is an EXTREMELY well written and photo documented thread about the process on one of the various GM square body forums.. but to see the pictures you gotta be a member.

If you're serious about DIY'ing it back to life.. it would be well worth it for you to spend the few minutes making an account on the forum so you can see the pictures.

How To Refurbish Your Dashpad

This isn't show quality, but I think it turned out great for a daily driver. You'll probably be starting off with a dash that looks a lot like this. First, take a sharp knife and cut off all the curled up edges along the cracks. Cut back far enough to get into the vinyl that's still somewhat...

www.gmsquarebody.com

Awesome, I will definitely take a look!

 

[jballard81]

Also, while I'm here. Is there a trick to removing these vents?

I've tried carefully prying from the top with a plastic trim tool but am worried about breaking them if I pry too hard.

 

[snoranger]

Also, while I'm here. Is there a trick to removing these vents?
View attachment 118956

I've tried carefully prying from the top with a plastic trim tool but am worried about breaking them if I pry too hard.

There are 4 tabs. Two at the top, two at the bottom. Reach inside the vent with a small screwdriver and release them while pulling out on the vent.

 

[jballard81]

Cutting out the curled up edges:

Adding foam filler:

I'm hoping the foam sticks as well as it did on the GM forum guide I'm following.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Cutting out the curled up edges:
View attachment 119311
View attachment 119312
View attachment 119313

Adding foam filler:
View attachment 119314
View attachment 119316

I'm hoping the foam sticks as well as it did on the GM forum guide I'm following.

When I use foam filler for its intended use, I use a squirt bottle and mist the surfaces. Apparently it helps the bond. When I eventually get to the point of fixing my dash, I'll try that and report back. But that is likely years down the road.

 

[Jim Oaks]

​

I've replaced one with Coverlay with great success:

Coverlay Dash Cover - Coverlay (coverlaymfg.com)

But I'm looking forward to seeing how your repair turns out!!

 

[jballard81]

When I use foam filler for its intended use, I use a squirt bottle and mist the surfaces. Apparently it helps the bond. When I eventually get to the point of fixing my dash, I'll try that and report back. But that is likely years down the road.

Good info! I'll post an update when I get around to trimming it down and sanding it. It looks like it cured nicely as of this AM

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Also, there are 2 types of foam that I'm aware of. One hardens completely, they other stays soft like an old marshmallow. The soft one is a low expansion foam used for vinyl windows and doors.

 

[jballard81]

Also, there are 2 types of foam that I'm aware of. One hardens completely, they other stays soft like an old marshmallow. The soft one is a low expansion foam used for vinyl windows and doors.

Started cutting the foam down today. The foam I got said doors and windows... It definitely has a bit of sponginess to it. It doesn't sand particularly well but I'm going to cover it with the plastic weld anyway. Will load up some pics when I can

 

[jballard81]

Here's a couple of pics from cutting down the foam. I feel like it sanded down well enough

 

[RobbieD]

That is looking promising.

 

[SenorNoob]

I think by the time you are done, it'll be hard to tell it was repaired form the top.

 

[Ranger850]

FYI there are YouTube vidoes on this process. Don't have to sign up to GM forum to get the info you need.