How to Restore Fix Cracked Dashboard

Do you have a crack on your dashboard? Learn how to fix the problem by following the procedures below. This guide will discuss how to fix a cracked dashboard.

I lived with one crack in my dashboard on the driver’s side next to the speaker for a while. Every time I drive, I keep looking at it. It was so annoying to see only one crack in there. I searched the net to find the best way to fix it. I called Dashes.Inc., and they asked for $4000 to restore the whole thing and wrap it again like the original using heat and vacuum. It was an “unreasonable price,” so I looked for alternatives

• leather wrap
• Clothe Cover
• Dash cover cap
• Bondo
• Buy a new dash

I found this kit, which I want to share with all If you have the time and passion for doing it and keeping the original classic look.
First, I will start to share my notes on each method.

• Leather wrap: It’s a lot of work; it is difficult to stretch the leather using a heat gun and contact cement. Especially around corners and AC/heater vents. You can buy and glue the ready leather cover from the UK for $200. The problem is it comes with stitches that will make your dash and interior out of its time and era since there is nothing with stitches inside. Either wrap everything (dash, center console, A & B pillars, steering wheel) or leave it as is.
• Cloth cover : This is an easy and cheap solution but so ugly.
• Dash cover cap: Expensive for cheap plastic, needs a lot of double-sided tape or glue/silicone to secure it on the dash; once you put it in, there is no turning back; your dash is already ruined from the glue. The cover will not survive in the direct sun/heat.
• Bondo: The Bondo is not flexible enough to expand with the dash material; mine cracked after a couple of days when I played using different materials to fix the crack.
• Buy a new dash; repairing the dash will cost you a fortune. I don’t know how much for the brand-new dash or the cracks-free used dash that will crack anyway in the future as it’s already dry and hard.

You can buy the kit from eBay for $70. This kit contains the heating element with the flat welding tip, a welder stand, stainless steel reinforcing wire mesh (10 inches (25 cm) by 5 inches (12 cm)), 15 ft. (4.6 m) of Polyvance’s FiberFlex. Each rod is 1 ft. (30 cm) long.

The rods are approximately 1/8th inch (3 mm) thick and 1/2 inch (12 mm) wide. Note the steel mech is not to fix dashboards; it’s for bumpers.

Dash preparation

I took the dash out to change the AC pods, rubber elbows, and AC draining tubes. Since the dash is out, it’s time to fix the crack. The video will explain the process in detail.

Procedure

Step 1