Hoopes Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 I've got a cracked center console out of a 1973 240Z and am looking for any advise on how to repair it. I'll apologize in advance if this is a stupid question; I've searched just about every post in the Interior section and cannot find a thing that will help. I'll also consider a reasonably priced replacement if anyone has one. Any advise would be greatly appreciated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moltar Posted March 19, 2011 Share Posted March 19, 2011 JB weld and drywall tape worked pretty well for me. I used the drywall tape to act as a reinforcing mesh. Build up the JB weld and sand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miles Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 After the cracks are repaired spray the console with: SEM 15013 color coat aerosol - Landau Black. I used it on my arm rests, console and dash. Looks like new. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoopes Posted March 20, 2011 Author Share Posted March 20, 2011 Guys...thanks very much!! You've saved the day. The pics look great! At this point, I'm on a pretty tight budget. I've got a dash cap too and have not looked under it yet to see the damage. I'm not mechanically inclined, but am willing to take a stab at it since this approach looks great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgsheen Posted March 20, 2011 Share Posted March 20, 2011 The center consoles are made of ABS plastic. We plumbers have used ABS pipe and fittings for years. The ABS Cement ("glue") we use is actually ABS plastic resin in a solvent. (That means it actually deposits ABS plastic on/between the parts you use it on...) Works really well on many of the plastic parts in Z-Cars... You can get a small can of it at any hardware store, Home Depot, Lowe's. I'd use it in place of the JB Weld suggested above - either as mentioned or with another piece of ABS plastic glued and clamped over the crack if possible (plastic piece from an unused/extra panel - just about all the black plastic in a Z is ABS). It's pretty easy to cut and fit ABS. No one will ever see it if it's on the underside of the console and it will never break there again if you do it properly... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamikaZeS30 Posted March 21, 2011 Share Posted March 21, 2011 If you have a good soldering iron (900+ F), you can order ABS plastic welding rods for a reasonable price, I'd do that and then sand/finish the weld. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoopes Posted March 21, 2011 Author Share Posted March 21, 2011 That sounds like a great idea. Do you know where I can get the ABS plastic welding rods?? Here's a couple newbie questions. When using the rods, would I weld from the front surface instead of the back? I'm assuming, but do I apply heat to the rod and have it melt into the crack? It seems like it would smoke like crazy. Any other plastic welding hints you can give me?? By the way, I want to share with you guys; my 73Z will be coming out soon; can't wait. I'm 47 and have wanted this since college It's got a brand new LS3 "hot cam", T56 into R200 3.54 with added clutches, 300ZX turbo half shafts w/ offset Rota wheels, 9" up front and 9.5" in rear so I'm running 245 x 17 front and 275 x 17 rear. I've had square tubing welded to the frame rails to handle the power. It's in paint and body now...Stage 3 front air dam, cowl induction hood and fender flairs...all black. I'll post some pics when it finally rolls out. I still have some work to do in the interior though... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kamikaZeS30 Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 http://www.google.com/search?q=ABS+plastic+welding+rods&hl=en&safe=off&prmd=ivns&source=univ&tbs=shop:1&tbo=u&sa=X&ei=GMaITdrRK-W_0QHjrdHlDQ&ved=0CD4QrQQ&biw=1280&bih=619 Just make sure you wear a mask while you're doing it. For best results you should use a small angle grinder to "V" the crack and then fill it with the rod. I would weld the plastic from whichever side you think will hold best and hopefully be easiest to finish/clean up afterward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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