Dash Repair updates...from starting prep...























Finishing prep...spot filled a few pin holes...though i wonder if it was necessary. The weather is holding up progress now. Hoping for a warmer day tomorrow.

-Royce

 

What did you use to fill the cracks?

 

I used Gorilla glue mixed with babypowder, then a little spot putty to fill pin holes. The Gorilla glue expands and mimics the foam that is under the vinal cover of the dash so I thought it might flex better than superglue. I used the baby powder to make it a little more sand-able. After that I will be using a 3m texture coating and finally finsh with SEM flexible coating. Once the weather warms.

-Royce

 

sounds like a good tactic.
My concern would be that the gorilla glue would expand differently that the rest of the dash and give a weird "wave" effect.
Let it cure for a while, then stick a heater near it to see it you can notice it rising up in a weird fashion. If you can feel it when you rub your fingers over it, then it will end up showing through the coating.
Other than that, it looks good to me.
When you get it all done, you need to invest in some of that 3m window tint that blocks all of the heat transfer and UV rays to keep it from getting damaged again.
this stuff - Crystalline Automotive Films - Clear automotive window film for cars, trucks - Crystalline - 3M USit is awesauce. They have a 90 with is pretty much totally clear. So it is perfect for windshields.

 

I will be sanding between the texture and the final coat in an attempt to stop the mismatch in hight that you talk about Empire. I had the dash outside last night to see if it would reach poorly to the cold and it was fine...its i the heat now. I do hope the babypowder will slow the rate of expansion some. We'll see though. The texture coat is like like a chip guard thats used under OEM paint along rocker panels and fender bottoms. Its clear too...So i figured the flexible black from SEM would do the trick.

A good tint would be in order after this is done. The other chassis' front window has a crack in the lower passenger side...so i'll need to get that replaced before the film can be applied. It will be done though. That tint you suggested is the bomb Phil!!

 

I'm thinking you are on to something with that baby powder idea. It should do the trick. Gorilla glue doesn't seem to expand much on its own to begin with, so any flex would be minor. So you should be good on that.
I'm really curious to see how the final product turns out.
I've not really need any repair jobs that turned out with a nice clean finish, but it looks like you are on the right track.
Lucky for my, the only cracks on the Z dash are on the removable part around the cluster.

that tint with be going on both my truck and my DD Z.

 

The dash is taking a little longer than I thought it would...but it pays not to rush. I had to grab a two part epoxy flxible adhesive recommended by a NAPA paint supply rep to bond the vinyl further and fill in some pinholes as well. those pix follow:




Sanding continues today...and hopefully the finishing top coat later in the afternoon.

-Royce

 

Looks good Royce! I went with some baking soda on mine. Let me know if i can help you with anything...What are you going to use to restore texture to the dash, you wouldnt want slick lines from fine sanding.
This is what i used on mine, text me if you need some pictures or advice.

SEM PRODUCTS 39853 - Texture Coating, Aerosol SEM-39853 SEM39853 SEM 39853

 

I was looking for that that part # Jared. Thanks!! I did try the SEM chip guard but it didnt seem to want to build enough to cover the lines left by the fill. I'll grab some of that plus the SEM flexible color match spray to finish the job.

 

Im just grabbing a few bits of info from the inter-webs on the engine removal and i'm out the door to start. Should be a fun day. If any of you guys are bored today and feel like lending hand, feel free. Drop me a text @ 7274170909 and i'll give you the address of where im @.

Thanks,

-Royce