Dash Repair

I pulled the dash out of my truck and decided to try and repair it. Since sending a dash out to a place like Just Dashes can cost a $1,000.00 or more and since my wagon is a daily driver not a full-blown resto, I decided to try this myself.

The first thing I did was wash the dash with Dawn and hot water, using a stiff bristle brush to scrub it.

The next step I did was use Gorilla Glue to fill in the cracks (note* use sparingly cause it will foam up like Great Stuff).

Tomorrow I will list the third step that I will do before sanding and painting.

I know this isn't a perfect way of doing it and it will most likely have some ridges but thats ok if this works like I hope the dash pad in my E/W will be next.

 

I can't wait. Mine's a disaster. Not as bad as yours tho. I was thinking of using the method in this site http://www.rickwrench.com/ but he only shows a before and after. The after looked pretty good.

 

If you can rescue that one, you can rescue anything! Looks promising so far.

 

It's a slow process so far the Gorilla glue takes 24 hours to dry. one it does I will try to smooth it all out with some Elmers Wood glue then the sanding and painting. Cross your fingers cause if this works on this dash almost any dash can be saved.

 

I couldn't find the link for a dash in his website.

 

I used two-part flexible epoxy (bodyshop product) to do mine, but my cracks were a lot narrower. Your way should work, and maybe better, because the wider cracks can be more easily 're-textured' with a piece of tack-cloth pressed into the foam before it skins too hard. The epoxy wouldn't let me do that, but my cracks were pencil thin. When you repaint, the new textured areas will fill a bit and look fine.

 

I will know more by Friday it's suppose to rain the next 2 days so that means no painting but I can finish the rest of the work that needs to be done and respray it back Gray. I hope this will help others,I don't feel like I have been contributing anything.

 

Try looking at this. I posted my dash repair there before I joined here:
http://fordsix.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=41252&highlight=console

and here:
http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=716

 

I get another chance to jack one of your threads!

Hey, if it wasn't for the fact that we are all here, looking, lurking, learning and lending our ideas, these wagons would drift into the great smelting furnaces in China and Japan! I kick and squeal that with my links and auto-related rants, but we're in the best, most affordable segment of the automotive hobby. Try to buy a Mustang or GTO project car. Ha! But wagons are low-priced, even though they're better equipped. Your opinions and knowledge and outstanding humour help keep the Rev and most of us alert, even into the wee hours!

You've now had your 10 seconds of self-torment for the year! So thanks for your Dash technique, and your progress with the F-150 roller project on the http://rolledon.com/index.htm site.

 

Thanks Stormin.... After I get the engine I have in a Machine shop out next month get it together,and engines swapped out.I'm going to Pull A Part about a Hours drive from my house and pick up a Chevy small block(350) to rebuild to go into my wagon. I'm also thinking about getting rid of the ECM and OD Trans.Along with a few interior mods and make it my own Big Land Cruiser that can roll. If I can find the links I need to keep my 200 4R I will.

 

What's a '200 4R' ??? A GM term?

 

Stormin'It's a Metric overdrive transmission that came in Caprices they had 2 of them One was a 700 4R which were in 4 Door sedans and some wagons. The same can be said about the 200 4R, They both replaced the Th-350 and TH-400 transmissions of the 60'-Early 80's. So I'm thinking that I will end up losing the overdrive since I will be getting Rid of the ECM.

The ECM that my car has is the 1st generation of computers and mine has no way to make upgrades to it to make use of my plans.

 

That's why my calculator was confused!

 

Welcome to my world....

 

heres a outfit i deal with..if they have anything you ever need ..lemme know..i'll see what i can do
http://www.dashtop.com/