73-87chevytrucks.com
73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Interior & Equipment => Topic started by: popsthebuilder on January 24, 2013, 10:49:24 pm
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I've been looking and can't find a new dash board in the color that I need. Is there anyway to patch the splits in this material? It's probably asbestos based or something. Anyway, maybe bondo and a good sealer/primer type product,and then a matched color hi heat paint? Is it even possible to match a color for that kind of paint?
The other issue is the gas peddle. You have to exert an excessive amount of energy to the peddle. Is there some sort of adjustment for this, or should I try to carfully spray some lithium grease on it?
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For the accelerator pedal issue: check the pivot points-they may need a little lubricant; check the spring at the carburetor- it may have been replaced with an aftermarket spring that is too strong; lastly and most likely- check the accelerator cable as it may need lubrication or replacement.
Repairing the factory dash is generally difficult. Bondo would likely crack out of the patch. There are plastic dash caps to cover the old dash (least expensive), replacement with an aftermarket type (moderately expensive- may have to get vinyl interior paint to match colors) or find a new old stock dash (very expensive and may or may not find in the color you desire).
There are paints specifically blended for use on vinyl/plastic trim interior trim parts. They can often be found at automotive upholstery supply stores. These paints are formulated for use on plastic interior pieces. I've had good luck with them, but as with any paint preparation is key.
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There are multiple repair threads on the Internet for repairing dashes. Some are really good and have videos.
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When I had my truck first painted sometime in the mid-80's, I wasn't sure what I was going to do with my dash pad. The colors were going to be blue and silver, and the dashboard and other interior pieces were red, plus the dash had some large cracks on it's top. The guy that painted my truck said he wanted to try something that he'd never done before, and if he could use my dash for his test, he wouldn't charge me anything for the labor or materials. He also wouldn't tell me what it was that he wanted to do. (He was an awesome guy, and really enjoyed messing with my innocent, naive 17 year old self.)
A week or two went by, and he finally let me see the finished product. He epoxied over all of the cracks, and laid down multiple tones of tan and brown in a way that looks like some sort of wood grain that you probably couldn't find in nature. Then he topped it off with a shiny clear coat that gives it some great depth. Eventually, the cracks came back through the paint. But the paint has held up phenomenally well! Since it's all automotive paint now, instead of using Armor All on it, I clean it with a mild car wash soap solution, rub it with a clay bar as needed, and keep it waxed the same as any painted body panel.
I don't know exactly what he used to patch the cracks, he just said it was 'epoxy.' It could be anything...J.B.Weld, fiberglass, Bondo, some of that vinyl repair putty. I saw some plastic welding rigs at Harbor Freight within the last few years, and thought something like that might have lasted longer. Although, it's not too bad for something that was done over 25 years ago.
If you wanted to know more about what or how it did that, I could find out if he's still alive and get you his contact info. (I hope he's still alive...he was definitely a character!)