dashboard cracks

[chuckhinva]

the dashboard on my 1981 is cracked and fried around the speaker grilles. Any ideas on how to fix it or at least make it look better without buying a new dash? I've got it out of the car (doing some rewiring).

 

[TJay]

Have a look in your telephone directory, there are companies that repair dash cracks cheap. There is also a repair kit you can get from an auto parts store. You may have to re-dye it.

 

[Chas]

the dashboard on my 1981 is cracked and fried around the speaker grilles. Any ideas on how to fix it or at least make it look better without buying a new dash? I've got it out of the car (doing some rewiring).

I have seen top pad replacement pieces but i have no idea how they look...But i have seen them .
Chas

 

[91-Vetteman]

Any Luck on dash repair ??

Hi Chuck, I have an 81 and in the corner (driver side) just left of the speaker, the top dash has an indent / groove (desinged like this) 1/2 inch to an inch long and mine has cracked and separated. I have black electical tape on it which looks like sh#t!! I think the only way to repair / replace an 80 - 82 top dash is to repalce the whole thing, around $400. The rest of my dash is immaculate. Anyway, just curious if you were able to find any kind of repair. Thanx !!

 

[Yoda]

I don't know if this would work or not, but I thought I'd throw this against the wall and see if anyone has any experience with it...

I had a nieghbor when I lived in CA that did motorcycle rebuilds.. and he did a process called "plastic welding" .. He was so good, he could repair gas tanks and fairing type components and from the topside or the visable side I couldn't tell he made the repair..

I don't know if this would work on the plastic Black top of our dash or not, hopefully someone can chime in that has experience with "plastic welding"...

Bud

 

[Peer81]

Same thing overhere, one of the "flaps" in front of the A pillar even broke when i tried to take the dash out. Replacing the dash is a good idea but look out the cheap one could be a problem. A friend of mine bought a new dash for this 82 and the center console cutout is about 1" off!! The rest of the button cut outs are also not well done.

I'm just doing to wrap the entire dash with nice top quality leather! The ship a new dash to Holland will set me back around $600 and to let a company wrap my old top fitting dash with leather (and shaving it to make it fit) will set me back around $700! Only problem, now i want all the cheap plastic wrapped in leather so i need some more money

Groeten Peter.

 

[Nut]

the dashboard on my 1981 is cracked and fried around the speaker grilles. Any ideas on how to fix it or at least make it look better without buying a new dash? I've got it out of the car (doing some rewiring).

Chuck......... Carlisle is only a few months away and you are driving close like me. I'd wait and see what you can find at Carlisle. I'd almost guarantee you'll find one or certainly find someone that knows how to repair one.

Just a suggestion............. nut

 

[chuckhinva]

Mine is cracked in the same place. Actually it was broken off. When I had the dash out, I was able to glue it back together. Tried to fix the crack using Permatex vinyl repair kit (about $11). It looks only slighty better than electrical tape. Although someone with talent could probably do a better job. You have to take the dash out, though. There is no way you could get to it in the car. The dash covers only cover the front of the dash.