Best method to fix cracks on dash?

[jballard81]

This JB plastic weld stuff isn't fun to work with. I'm on my 3rd attempt at leveling it and I'm finding it difficult to get an even application.

It looks close from this angle

But once I shine a flashlight across it horizontally it's a lot more bumpy than I would like

Also just noticed in this picture that I've added some pits just outside of my working area accidentally.

It's going to get bed-lined in the end, not sure it needs to be perfectly level. I'm going to sand it down again and then try a skim layer using the flat of a razor blade to see if I can get a better result.

 

[jballard81]

I think the razer blade skimming method helped considerably. Also changing out my sand paper more often was helpful.

Definitely not perfect, but way better than the last pic. I'm going to use some high fill type primer before I apply the bed liner. Hopefully that will fill in the imperfections!

 

[jballard81]

Accidentally used some 2 in 1 paint/repair spray. That was a mistake

Definitely don't use this...

Spent forever sanding it down again and got it about halfway good and now I'm trying this stuff that's supposed to fill the pin holes left behind by the plastic weld

This is probably the 5th or so attempt at getting a even surface . I have a new found respect for you bodywork guys. Sanding sucks.

 

[Jim Oaks]

I was going to say, what about body filler.

 

[Brain75]

I watched a youtube video where a guy used bondo aka body filler and then I watched a second video where a guy did bondo to an old old 60's muscle car dash. The results were great, but the guy in the first video had never done bondo before and over sanded so had like 6 layers trying to get there... it looked easier than what you got going on now. The secret was get it perfectly flat then recreate the pebbly texture using "trunk paint" - textured stuff.... obviously requires taking the dash out and painting the entire thing to get it even.

 

[SenorNoob]

I know the whole thing is kinda flexible. I wonder how paintable caulking would do?

 

[jballard81]

I'll admit I'm pretty new to filler and any kind of bodywork, so I'm not too surprised it's taking forever to get it close to right

I will probably do a 'lessons learned' type post at some point but I think I probably would've started out with filler. I didn't know that this glazing putty existed until last night

Thanks for the tip on the trunk paint Brain! I'm going to attempt to add texture back in with bed liner. Or I'm going to at least test out the can I bought to see how it behaves before applying it to the dash (learning from past mistakes already!). If it doesn't provide the texture I want I will find some trunk paint!

Got some decals yesterday!

Those add at least 10 HP!

 

[jballard81]

That glazing putty stuff is a dream to work with compared to the plastic weld. Just barely touch it with 400 grit and it smooths out really nice.
The pics are pretty splotchy still but I'm pretty happy with this turned out. It's way smoother than it looks

The only spot that I'm not super happy with is right here where I didn't do a good job of mixing the plastic weld apparently and it's kind of spongey. Only way I could imagine making it better would be to sand out the gap again and restart with bondo. Not sure I have enough effort at this point but who knows!

Going to spray test the bed liner on something to see how the texture turns out.

 

[jballard81]

Dug out that bit I wasn't happy with

Used bondo and then the bondo glaze to fill it. Only took one try this time
Guess I forgot a pic before the 1st coating of high fill primer. But it looks pretty damn smooth.

I test sprayed the truck liner spray and it definitely doesn't have enough texture. So I picked up some trunk spatter spray. Unfortunately the only one available to me without a 2 week+ shipping time is the duplicolor version that doesn't have good ratings.

Caught a YouTube comment when I was looking for more dashboard repair examples:
Once you spray the filler foam, tap it down some to remove most of the air, once it's in place cover the repair with painters tape. That should help push the foam into the crack and reduce air bubbles instead of just expanding outwards as it dries.

Too late for me of course, but hopefully it helps someone else!

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Dug out that bit I wasn't happy with
View attachment 119699

Used bondo and then the bondo glaze to fill it. Only took one try this time
Guess I forgot a pic before the 1st coating of high fill primer. But it looks pretty damn smooth.
View attachment 119701

I test sprayed the truck liner spray and it definitely doesn't have enough texture. So I picked up some trunk spatter spray. Unfortunately the only one available to me without a 2 week+ shipping time is the duplicolor version that doesn't have good ratings.
View attachment 119702

Caught a YouTube comment when I was looking for more dashboard repair examples:
Once you spray the filler foam, tap it down some to remove most of the air, once it's in place cover the repair with painters tape. That should help push the foam into the crack and reduce air bubbles instead of just expanding outwards as it dries.

Too late for me of course, but hopefully it helps someone else!

Tap it down once it skins over...
Otherwise you'll have a sticky finger.

 

[jballard81]

So I practiced a little on some cardboard with the spatter paint. Then went for it. This is where it sits with 3 coats.

I didn't even bother trying to knock down the filler primer. Just cleaned it with some paint prep.

Can says it should be dry in an hour. I will probably give it until tonight then use either some 400 grit or maybe a red scotch Brite to knock down the peaks.

I think I'm going to cover it with the bed-liner for more strength and finally Krylon matte grey.

 

[Brain75]

Looks super...

 

[RobbieD]

That IS looking good.

 

[SenorNoob]

Not saying it's bad, but that looks like it has significantly more texture than stock. Is that why you say to knock down the peaks?

 

[jballard81]

Not saying it's bad, but that looks like it has significantly more texture than stock. Is that why you say to knock down the peaks?

It definitely has way more texture than stock and that's why I'm planning to knock down the peaks.

Even after that, it's still going to end up with more texture than stock in believe. Maybe the sanding, bed-liner and top coat will 'dull' it down more than I think though.