nolander001 Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 My dash is cracked really bad, what would be the best way to repair it? or would it be cheaper to just buy a junkyard dash? also dumb question but im new to interior and bodywork but could you use bondo to repair the dash? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surpip Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 You could always cap it that’s pretty much the norm, or dash restoration companies you’re looking at $800-1000. But you should try searching this topic first it’s been answered before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dexter72 Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 Bondo doesn't hold up. the dash moves with the heat and then the cold. So it will crack again with bondo. Search for dash repairs. I think a few people have had success using spray foam in cans, but search to make sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
het976 Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 I did mine using the process that has been discussed here and on ClassicZcar.com; using spray foam, SEM bumper repair products and SEM interior paint. Looked great when done, but started cracking shortly after I installed it...Still better than what I started with, but not perfect. I will admit, I may not have done it correctly and others may have better results, but one guy’s experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
getoffmyinternet Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 My dash is cracked really bad, what would be the best way to repair it? or would it be cheaper to just buy a junkyard dash? also dumb question but im new to interior and bodywork but could you use bondo to repair the dash? Good luck finding a junkyard dash that isn't also cracked really bad... Caps look pretty ugly in my opinion. It would be a hundred times better to get the whole thing covered by an upholstery shop, suede with a baseball stitch looks pretty rad. People use foam with mixed results. I think it depends on how bad the foam underneath the cracks really is. You need to take out as much of the old stuff as you possibly can while still having enough of the original shape to work with. Cut all the way through where the center of the crack is, and then bevel it out like a madman, the new patch should feather out quite a ways to ensure that the load is distributed evenly and whatever caused it to crack in the first place won't just crack it again. Don't spend too much time trying to get it looking perfect the first time around because I bet that a few new cracks will form in different places once you patch the main ones and you'll have to patch those as well. Then hopefully it will all be settled in for another 10 years or so. Or just buy a fiberglass dash. Or just take a sheet of aluminum and bend it at a 90 degree angle. It all depends on how much effort you're willing to put into keeping the car original. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LowCarbZ Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 My plan is to have the dash covered in alcantara (a type of suede). A cap is probably the simplest and cheapest way to do it or the spray foam idea would likely work well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RB240zDET Posted January 15, 2012 Share Posted January 15, 2012 I have seen all of the mentioned ideas above. They all look amazing if done properly. If you are wanting a quick fix then do not expect it to look factory or amazing. If you take your time then it will turn out amazing. If I had a stock dash I would consider the foam idea and just take my time and do it right the first time. I have since made a custom aluminum dash for my datsun. Whatever you choose just take your time and do what you want to do and don't be afraid to experiment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alainburon Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 If you are keeping the stock dash I would suggest a dash restoration shop. That's what I'm having done to mine. I have seen some repairs that last and others that don't. Filling the cracks with foam is ok but you have to realize the rest of the factory foam remaining on the dash is over 30 years old. Keep in mind that when you do a repair is like putting a patch on a used tire. It gets the job done but for how long? A restoration shop will remove ALL of the foam and basically build you a new dash. The only thing the re-use is the metal frame. I know is not cheap but like they say do it right the first time and you don't have to re-do it later. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhunt571 Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 DOES ANYONE KNOW A SHOP THAT WILL REDO A Z DASH? PRICE? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nelsonian Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 Justdashes.com.. Expect to receive a quote in the $1600 range though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
R3VO 3VOM Posted January 25, 2013 Share Posted January 25, 2013 I repaired mine a little over a year ago with spray foam, bondo and bed liner and it has been outside ever since in the weather and nasty stuff (freezing rain here tonight) and I have no cracks yet. I guess I should be expecting some :/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wedge Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 Dash companies charges upward of 1k$ a cap looks so so, the foam repair can be good but you need a good prep and as mentioned you take your time to do it right. For my part im trying to do a half alcantra cover half original dash. I am also wondring if a flexible paint like plastidip could work. IMO if you want a quick fix and a good looking dash get a 240sx dash and call it a day. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DatsunZman04 Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Buying a dash cap is a cheap fix, but I fixed mine with bedliner with Kevlar in a spray can and coted the whole dash then sanded it smooth to paint. It has held up for 5 years know in the weather. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wedge Posted February 8, 2013 Share Posted February 8, 2013 Have any photos of it Zman04 sounds interesting.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
niner11 Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 I followed the thread at classiczcars.com and had pretty good results Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tamo3 Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Looks really great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz Posted February 20, 2013 Share Posted February 20, 2013 Looks good ! I spy a porsche 911 in the last photo !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s14kouki10 Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 niner11, did you fill that in with the bumper repair? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SUNNY Z Posted February 27, 2013 Share Posted February 27, 2013 niner11, did you fill that in with the bumper repair? Oh come on. Theres a picture of it right there. ..... I'm sure he did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
s14kouki10 Posted February 28, 2013 Share Posted February 28, 2013 Oh come on. Theres a picture of it right there. ..... I'm sure he did. Are you 100% sure? I wasn't, so i asked. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.