Can I Stop a Dash Crack by Stop-Drilling?

[DeesZ]

I took my '72 240Z to work today where she sat out in the parking lot for several hours in the sun. When leaving I noticed that an existing crack in the dash began to lengthen itself and progress towards the front. Needless to say, this doesn't please me. When I was in the service we used to "stop drill" cracks in aircraft aluminum skin as well as plexiglass plastic windows & windshields. Drilling a hole at the very end of the crack would most often halt the cracking process and prevent further damage. Has anyone tried this method of stopping a crack on a 240Z dash? I'm very tempted to give it a try, but am wondering if anyone has tried this before and what results or cautions y'all may be able to offer. Please contribute your thoughts and experiences on this.

After drilling, I'd likely put a drop of something in the hole to seal, level and disguise it. I'm thinking something like JB Weld might be suitable, but would really like to hear what others have used to patch a dash crack or blemish. I'm just not in a financial position to replace the dash or get it restored right now, so your contributions are quite welcome.

[MikeW]

I'm not sure how helpful this will be. It seems to me that it's the foam padding under the vinyl that's partly to blame for the cracks.

[a7dz]

Give it a try. It should relieve the stress at the end of the crack. Do let us know what happens.

[CoastGuardZ]

Stop-Drilling just might work. It is still used in damage control on ships for split seems in bulkheads. I don't know how much of a part the foam plays in the dash cracks, I always thought it was just the vinyl drying up and shrinking... so Mike could have a valid point. I don't think JB Weld would be the way to go though. I remember seeing a vinyl and leather repair paste in Wal Mart a couple years ago. I believe it was a two part concoction with a dye to match the material... I think you would find it in the crafts section.

Nate

[Bradz240]

Eastwood caries a repair kit. But I've never tried it.

[Walter Moore]

...I remember seeing a vinyl and leather repair paste in Wal Mart a couple years ago. I believe it was a two part concoction with a dye to match the material... I think you would find it in the crafts section.

Nate

I found the kit in the auto section at my local Wal-mart. I used it on the passenger door panel. It is cheaper than buying a new panel, but I had to use the kit several times to get a semi-acceptable result.

I finally got the panel where the rip was gone, but I am not happy with how it looks.

Which, to be honest, is about what I expected would happen.