Crack in Dash!

[E34Kevin]

After getting my car back from the shop across my work(first time) I noticed a small crack in the dash above the pocket on the passenger side. Well more like a big crack, its curved maybe about and inch, inch and a half. Looks like theres a hairline crack following that making it a full circle.

I don't remember that being there before, but then again my car was in there for well over 2 weeks. I know its a 20 year old car but my dash was perfect before this. Anyone ever fixed something like this? How and what products please. The material is vinyl right? Maybe I could melt it back together :shifty

if pics are needed, then pics shall be provided :redspot

[BigM62]

Check with your local dealerships.They have a mobile interior guy. They usually come by car dealerships a few times a week to fix interiors before cars are sold.

[Binjammin]

If it's cracked, it usually means everything under the vinyl has shrunk, so getting it back together will be a chore that ends with an ugly patch. Dashboards are common in the junkyards and in good shape, I think I have 3 laying around. Go hunt and find a nice replacement.

[zubbie]

very few good cracks (none on cars).

Do what Binj says and get a replacement dash. never seen a repaired one I liked.

and keep it out of the sun.

[dansgt]

i got the junk yard to give me my replacement for $20, so hunt around and and you'll find something good, just dont patch it, it'll look like ass.

[E34Kevin]

Yeah I bet, better to just leave it as is. Seems pretty hard to swap a dash though, and i've been trying to keep it out of the sun, but we've been having nice days here this week. I'm tempted to buy the bav auto carpet dash cover, but my girlfriend thinks its uber ugly, I think it looks kinda nice. Thanks for the advice thus far

[BigM62]

If it's cracked, it usually means everything under the vinyl has shrunk, so getting it back together will be a chore that ends with an ugly patch. Dashboards are common in the junkyards and in good shape, I think I have 3 laying around. Go hunt and find a nice replacement.

Do not, I repeat, do not follow this and the other guy's advise. You can get a cracked dash fixed by a pro. for under $100, and you will not be able to see the crack any more.

[ross1]

Do not, I repeat, do not follow this and the other guy's advise. You can get a cracked dash fixed by a pro. for under $100, and you will be able to see tahe crack any more.

Look at some of the "pro's" work first. Used car sellers typically pay the least $ possible for a quicky job, the fellows who do that quality of work day in and day out could be put out by someone wanting a good job.
Cracks CAN be repaired to be nearly invisible, not everyone can do it.
Unfortunately this won't be the last crack.

[BigM62]

Look at some of the "pro's" work first. Used car sellers typically pay the least $ possible for a quicky job, the fellows who do that quality of work day in and day out could be put out by someone wanting a good job.
Cracks CAN be repaired to be nearly invisible, not everyone can do it.
Unfortunately this won't be the last crack.
I had a crack on my 1990535i dash fixed 10 years ago. It is completely invisable and I have not had any cracks on my dash since.

[Binjammin]

Do not, I repeat, do not follow this and the other guy's advise. You can get a cracked dash fixed by a pro. for under $100, and you will not be able to see the crack any more.


I had a crack on my 1990535i dash fixed 10 years ago. It is completely invisable and I have not had any cracks on my dash since.

Hardly a worthy response. You can get a good dash out of a junkyard for $50 or less, and it's a half hour or so to swap. They're plentiful in junkards in good condition and color choice.

Second, I've worked at several dealerships and have yet to see a any vinyl repaired where I wouldn't be able to spot it. I'd be willing to bet that if you took hi-res shots of your dash I'd be able to spot the repair. I'm glad you're happy with it, but there's never been a time a car left any of the lots I worked on and the interior had been repaired that I looked at the repair and didn't wonder wtf was wrong with the customer for being happy with it.

Perhaps I'm just picky, or have an eye for finding faults like that, but for my money spending $100 to fix a crack that will still stick out like a sore thumb to me is just as bad as using a carpeted dash pad.

[ClarkWGriswold]

+1 on replacing the dash. Pick a parts have them for $10.00 and if your dash is starting to crack in one spot it will crack elsewhere and the repairs always look like a$$ after a while. If you need a tan dash you can have the one out of my touring for the cost of shipping.