padded dash repairs
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 4
From: South west Idaho
padded dash repairs
I used the search but came up with zero. I have a 79 fixer upper I just bought and would like to repair the cracks in the pad on the dash. I plan to repaint the interior and would like to fix the cracks that are about 1/8 wide by 6 in . I know replacements are available , but would like to repair what i have. has anybody done this with good results? Jim 
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 212
Likes: 1
My cracks are limited to one area just to the right of the steering wheel so, I figured I'd mount a plate, maybe aluminum flashing material or even plastic to cover the cracks and then mount a compass or a clock.
It's a bit redneck but so's my whole dang truck. At least then it looks like you were making a mounting base for the attachment and not a cheesy dash repair.
It's a bit redneck but so's my whole dang truck. At least then it looks like you were making a mounting base for the attachment and not a cheesy dash repair.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
there are some repair kits for leather and such that has differant grain patterns. it should work on the dash pad. it uses some kind of flexible glue that can be tinted. most auto parts stores should carry it. or you could always pull the pad clean it and fill the cracks then stretch some new material over it and glue it all down.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 811
Likes: 4
I believe your options are as follows:
1. Leave it alone
2. Use a dash cap
3. Send it to a dash pad repair shop
4. FInd a replacement (ebay/etc.)
There are repair kits out there, and I have used them. The problem I see is the length of the crack. 6 inches is a pretty big crack. My experience with the repair kits is they do a good job with a relatively small are like a small hole, but not cracks where the material will continue o crack as it shrinks.
Good luck.
1. Leave it alone
2. Use a dash cap
3. Send it to a dash pad repair shop
4. FInd a replacement (ebay/etc.)
There are repair kits out there, and I have used them. The problem I see is the length of the crack. 6 inches is a pretty big crack. My experience with the repair kits is they do a good job with a relatively small are like a small hole, but not cracks where the material will continue o crack as it shrinks.
Good luck.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 6,993
Likes: 15
From: Costa Mesa, CA
I've seen guys on other forums (alfa romeo) get kind of crazy with the dash repairs since those things get worse then our trucks.
On thing that looked decent to me was a guy stripped the cover material off (plastic or vinyl or whatever it is) and then bondoes over the foam, filling the crack when he did so. He then just painted it.
Looks GREAT to me.
It might be a bit of work - but it's less $$ then other options and still looks good.
I have a really bad dash pad out of a 73 I parted that I am going to mess with a couple ideas on. See if I can't come up with something creative/cool.
Worse case scenario I'm gonna ditch the dash pad all together, weld up the holes and paint over it. I will be doing custom sheet metal work to that dash anyways so welding up those holes isn't a big deal.
On thing that looked decent to me was a guy stripped the cover material off (plastic or vinyl or whatever it is) and then bondoes over the foam, filling the crack when he did so. He then just painted it.
Looks GREAT to me.
It might be a bit of work - but it's less $$ then other options and still looks good.
I have a really bad dash pad out of a 73 I parted that I am going to mess with a couple ideas on. See if I can't come up with something creative/cool.
Worse case scenario I'm gonna ditch the dash pad all together, weld up the holes and paint over it. I will be doing custom sheet metal work to that dash anyways so welding up those holes isn't a big deal.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,157
Likes: 3
Those cheap vinyl repair kits are junk. Like others said, you have options based on how much you want to spend and how good you want it to look. If you repair the vinyl it will need to be spray with vinyl paint when you are done.
I think the options in order of price are:
Leave it as is
repair it with a junk kit
Buy a felt/cloth dash cover
Find a used cover and spray it to match your color
Buy a new cover
Have it covered buy an upholstery guy
In order of looks:
Buy new pad already colored to match
Buy new pad and you spray it with dye to match
Buy a used pad and you spray it to match
Have a upholstery guy recover it in a similar material and color.
Leave it alone
Use a junk repair kit
Buy a cloth/felt dash cover
I think the options in order of price are:
Leave it as is
repair it with a junk kit
Buy a felt/cloth dash cover
Find a used cover and spray it to match your color
Buy a new cover
Have it covered buy an upholstery guy
In order of looks:
Buy new pad already colored to match
Buy new pad and you spray it with dye to match
Buy a used pad and you spray it to match
Have a upholstery guy recover it in a similar material and color.
Leave it alone
Use a junk repair kit
Buy a cloth/felt dash cover
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 197
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From: near Pittsburgh
I covered my dash pad with leather or substitute, it looks great and it was cheaper than one of those plastic shell covers
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Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 4
From: South west Idaho
Thanks everybody , I heard what I was expecting to hear. I have two extras plus the one in my truck , so I guess it's time to try something. Maybe upholstery over it with something like vinyl top material . I hope I don't screw all three of them up. Jim 
Laughing Gas
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 811
Likes: 4
Jim, Actually, you seem to be in a great position to try some experimenting. Gus11028 has a pretty good idea. You should be able to obtain some vynil material from a supplier. Plenty of them around if you do a little work with google. Remove the old vinyl, repair any holes with some type of faom, sand smooth and recover using contact cement. Let us know how it comes out.
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,038
Likes: 4
From: South west Idaho
Jim, Actually, you seem to be in a great position to try some experimenting. Gus11028 has a pretty good idea. You should be able to obtain some vynil material from a supplier. Plenty of them around if you do a little work with google. Remove the old vinyl, repair any holes with some type of faom, sand smooth and recover using contact cement. Let us know how it comes out.
I never thought about the foam as a filler, I should have after working with it in the construction trade. Something to think about. Thanks , Jim
