Repaired the dash!

[yoshi_w]

My friend and I both own 240z's, and both of us had cracked dashes. Also, both of us hate covering up problems so a simple dash cap was not gonna do it. However, we are both lacking in high monetary compensation from our jobs so we decided to experiment and find a cheaper way to repair our dashes. This involved the use of silicone, bondo, light gorilla glue, jb kwik, and finally "Flex Seal".

We began with the silicone, but quickly found out this really only works well for larger cracks, and also tends to have some small air pockets as well as it tears away from inconvenient cracks, still leaving medium to small size cracks un-repaired. To remove the excess silicone a 3" sanding pad was used on a drill for speed, but in some tight areas, such as around the three small gauges, the 3" is too big and abrasive and starts to dig into the vinyl. However, in certain areas it is necessary to sand down to the foam for a smooth finish, as when the dash splits, the two separated pieces of vinyl stick up. This then led to the use of bondo for the small cracks, which worked for the small cracks, but not the bigger cracks, as it just crumbled out. Then I used some light gorilla glue for some really small cracks, and finally, jb kwik to fix any big crack and small cracks that the previous methods did not work for. In between each method, we sanded with 60, 180, 220, then 600 grit sand paper to make the finish as smooth as possible. We were originally going to use filller primer so I decided not to worry myself, or cause more damage, by sanding some areas down more. However, while at the hardware store, I realized we can use Flex Seal, that stuff you see on TV, and although steep in pricing, $18 a can, is perfect and only one can is needed. It is flexible should the dash flex, it fills in small cracks, its meant for outdoor roof repair so it is good against the sun, and the texture is close, but not exact, to the original dash texture. It worked! However, I later realized I should have sanded down some areas a little more, but it came out with no cracks, original looking, and doesn't add any parts like a dash cap! Now, on with the pictures!

[LeonV]

Nice job Yoshi, you'll have to bring your Z by my place sometime!

[HermanM]

That looks pretty good man!!! Makes me want to see what I may be able to do with my dash. May have to host a BBQ/Get together in my neck of the woods to see what I can get done

[Wade Nelson]

Wow, wish I'd known about using Flex-Seal a week ago when I had the windshield out for replacement!

[mlc240z]

Weird question, but what does it smell like?

Figure it's some kind of rubber based sealer and might stink up the interior when sitting in the sun.

[zhead240]

wow!!!! that's got to be the worse cracked dash I've ever seen. I know you stipulated covering was out of the question but I think a full dash cap would be the way to go. turned out pretty good though.

[Captain Obvious]

Too late, I guess, but I've got a full dash cap for sale... $50. :bulb:

Unfortunately, I'm at the other end of the country:

There are a couple other pics in the craigslist ad:

Datsun 240Z 260Z 280Z Dash Pad Cap Cover Nissan

[yoshi_w]

That dash cap looks nice! but I personally don't like just covering up problems, I'd rather try repairing them first. Thanks though! And Leon, I will drive over there as soon as the car is back together! Mlc240z, I have yet to put the dash back in the car as I am doing a full rewire, but I had it in the sun all day yesterday when I was installing gauges and what-not and it didn't smell at all, but inside the car it could be a different story, I'll try to keep this updated! I would also recommend to sand more than I did, but hey, live and learn and its still better than before! And thanks everyone else for the words of encouragement! I am also installing new vdo gauges (tachometer, oil pressure, and water temp), as well as an afr gauge as I just rebuilt the engine and the non-working stock gauges weren't cutting it. The oil pressure wasn't installed yet, but the vdo tach looks pretty much factory, and I relocated the gas/amp gauge to the driver side air vent. Probably not to everybody's liking, but hey, I think it's not half bad!

[HermanM]

Dude, you're rockin it! New location looks pretty cool. It's your car, make it how you want it. Thanks for the cool ideas

[HermanM]

How's the smell on the dash after a few more days?

[Scaotty]

Looks pretty good. Here's how mine turned out...

Before & After

The after picture is with texture coating only. After the picture I followed it up with SEM Landau black.

Edited June 25, 2013 by Scaotty

[EuroDat]

I think when winter comes around again, this will be my next project. The results you guys are getting are excellent. Top job and motivating to say the least.