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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Interior & Equipment => Topic started by: 86gmc23 on July 19, 2010, 11:44:29 pm

Title: Dash Repairable?
Post by: 86gmc23 on July 19, 2010, 11:44:29 pm
My dash isn't the prettiest right now, but can I repair it?
Duraglass & Paint?
Title: Re: Dash Repairable?
Post by: Irish_Alley on July 20, 2010, 06:12:48 am
rino line it  ;D
Title: Re: Dash Repairable?
Post by: three8six on July 22, 2010, 10:24:19 pm
I stripped mine down to the metal frame and glassed it from there with some boat fiberglass because its thinner and it gives you alot alot longer to work with it and to work out bubbles, highspots etc....
Title: Re: Dash Repairable?
Post by: Swims350 on July 23, 2010, 10:01:59 am
I'd bet the fiberglass or bondo would have a time sticking to it. I used some flexible repair compound made by 3m on the 86 k10 we had it worked decent but took ALOT of the stuff to do it. I think I'd strip it and put on a cover. I bought one from accuform local truck parts dealer, cost about a hundred and worked good, but about a year later it cracked!!!!! I was so mad, I thought the caps weren't supposed to crack.
Title: Re: Dash Repairable?
Post by: three8six on July 23, 2010, 10:11:24 am
I primed the metal frame and the glass had absolutely no problems sticking.
Title: Re: Dash Repairable?
Post by: Swims350 on July 23, 2010, 10:55:26 am
I'm talking about the glass sticking to the foam or cover itself. I don't know why you'd need to prime metal for the glass to stick it sticks great to bare metal esp roughed up metal. At least if you primed it you shouldn't have to worry about rust. That crap comes out thru fiberglass and under paint and such, primer should help that out. Any got pics of one stripped then glassed? I alway sheard about it but don't think I ever seen it.
Title: Re: Dash Repairable?
Post by: jaredts on July 23, 2010, 11:23:46 am
Has anyone tried covering one with some kind of stretchy faux leather vinyl?  I guess either a dash pad or cover is the only way other than fiberglass?  I've seen the one on here covered with what I would call speaker carpeting.  Not really a fan of that look (no offense).  I just wonder if there is a good looking material that could cover them and conform to the shape.
Title: Re: Dash Repairable?
Post by: markdilljr on July 23, 2010, 11:59:56 am
Mine is wrapped in tweed and I think it looks good, my door panels are smoothed and wrapped in tweed to match the dash
Title: Re: Dash Repairable?
Post by: thachevythang on July 23, 2010, 12:45:33 pm
I bought some vinyl material that matched my seats I ordered. I haven't got to doing it yet but i also got about 1/8" foam for it to apply to and the foam to apply to the dash. I have sanded it down smooth even though its cracked but it will be an even surface after its covered. the material matches the original dash grain almost exact so i figure it will look good!!!! never know though!!!!
Title: Re: Dash Repairable?
Post by: three8six on July 23, 2010, 03:24:44 pm
Post pics when youre done please?
Title: Re: Dash Repairable?
Post by: thachevythang on July 23, 2010, 04:00:27 pm
Post pics when youre done please?

Sure thing I'm gonna work on the doors first, I gotta work up the courage to do the upholstry!!! I'm no expert so I wanna make sure I dont chop it up too bad!
Title: Re: Dash Repairable?
Post by: 86gmc23 on July 23, 2010, 09:03:29 pm
I stripped mine down to the metal frame and glassed it from there with some boat fiberglass because its thinner and it gives you alot alot longer to work with it and to work out bubbles, highspots etc....

That sounds like a good idea, do you remember about how much that cost you?
Quote from: markdilljr

link=topic=16946.msg134108#msg134108 date=1279904396
Mine is wrapped in tweed and I think it looks good, my door panels are smoothed and wrapped in tweed to match the dash

Did you sand the doors to smooth them? I'm in process of doing this but can't get the wear and tear out of it yet. Used 120grit to start and still wont take it all out.
Title: Re: Dash Repairable?
Post by: three8six on July 23, 2010, 11:21:04 pm
I did not do the doors, nor would I myself attempt them. I think with chop mat, and the gallon of glass/activator it was around 50$? To strip the dash, I did it all by either ripping it off with my bare hands, and then at the very end I used some paint stripper to get the very very last bit off. I will say dont do this or start it unless you've got the time to finish. Alot of hours sanding etc...
Title: Re: Dash Repairable?
Post by: markdilljr on July 24, 2010, 01:17:33 pm
They are sanded down and fiberglass and MDF wood was used to fill the indents in then wrapped in black tweed, I cut a hole for a 6.5" speaker
Title: Re: Dash Repairable?
Post by: 86gmc23 on July 24, 2010, 07:10:56 pm
Three8six, do you have any pictures of your dash?
Title: Re: Dash Repairable?
Post by: mrboyy17 on July 24, 2010, 07:24:13 pm
no offense taken jaredts.....just trying it cuz its something different and my dash was majorly messed up.  it is speaker carpet by the way.  holding up good a year and a half later.  i know its not original or look as good as a brand new dash but it was worth a shot!
mark
Title: Re: Dash Repairable?
Post by: jaredts on July 24, 2010, 07:28:31 pm
mrboyy17, you actually kind of inspired me in a way as I'd like to do something similar.  I'd just like to find a material that will conform as well as that stuff did for you, but would love it to look more like a factory dash--like vinyl.