My DIY Dash Restoration

[cbbeard]

ANOTHER WARNING!

Today we took the truck to get new tires. It was the first time it had been out of the driveway in about a year. We stopped to get lunch and when we came out the dash had a problem after sitting in the sun. Here is a picture:


What happened is apparently in the sun, it caused the filler to sink in on a spot where I apparently had not built it up sufficiently. It hasn't cracked or anything, but it has made the spot visible.

SO, for all of those interested in attempting this at home, I would suggest you make sure you have filled the void in the foam in well enough that it won't sink. I believe urethanesupply.com suggests and offers a sort of "plastic weld" that you melt into the voids before filling. If the cracks are very deep or foam too damaged, I would seriously consider doing that.

I am very frustrated, but I don't think this indicates that the job itself is a failure or wouldn't work. It's just something I never would have thought of or known until the damage was done.

Good luck!

[Eyegore]

Is this where the original crack was at?

[cbbeard]

Yes, this is where one of the cracks were. But if you look at the original pictures you can see that it was full of cracks, and it didn't do this on every one of them. That's why I think I just didn't get enough behind it for this particular crack.

[chevy-fun]

looks good

[kalbert]

I wonder if glassing over the whole thing might help hold it together? The existing vinyl covering probably is still trying to curl at the cracks and the glass might help hold it all down flat maybe?

[SCOTI]

How well do you feel the SEM Texture Coat 'matched' the texture? Do you think it would work on a gouge/deep scratch in a door panel?

[TrybalRage]

I like the idea of using expansion foam to fill the cracks. I was thinking of using fiberglass. One thing I want to do different is to get a roll of vinyl from hobby lobby or somewhere and wrapping over the repairs. I've seen other forums of people doing that with decent results.

[Wrecked1982]

nice job . i repaired mine like you did couple years ago and sadly a new crack has appeared in an area where it wasnt cracked i guess it should be covered when parked

[longhorn70gmc]

Subscribe!!!! Nice work!!!!

[daddyjeep]

Thanks for the write up and more importantly the follow up after you had some issues. My dash is pretty similar to yours when you started and I am all for repairing instead of replacing. You give me hope at least.

[dudevato]

wow
that turned out Great
thanks for all the typing & pics
very well explained

[Front Range]

Compared to what you removed that is a heck of a lot better.

[1redbowtie3]

Nice job, motivated me ... just bought everything to do a couple of mine ..

[Zach079xxx]

What a buzz kill to come out and see the sun damage, BUT you live and learn. It looks killer though, and now you know the tricks to prevent this again. Love how you restored your dash though, instead of buying new. It's like restoring a classic vs buying new off the lot. Cheers, looks good!

[Jay2Cor517]

cbbeard, excellent work! Don't be bummed out at all about the dash, you have put in the work in to get the rest of us motivated to do the same. You are just on the forefront of the R&D needed to lead the way. And over the course of finding the way, there's always some bumps and hiccups. Thanks for your post.