Early Dash Pad Repair/Restoration ('66)

[s15to311]

Well, after considering buying a new dash ($400 ) I decided to try and tackle this project myself. I do have some experience with interior work in the past, but nothing major.

I was dissapointed when I realized that the guy who I bought my parts car from destroyed the dash pad in his haste to remove the dash from the car. Granted it was cracked all to hell, it was in one piece. Here is what I had to work with (after picking some up the cracks that were puckered up off):






The Grand Canyon! (It was almost broken in half here)


I decided that I would eventually recover it with black suede (but you could use anything you like) I personally have a thing for suede.. ha ha

After some research online I found this stuff:



Which will fill in any cracks, and canyons in my case. It's almost exactly like bondo, except flexible.


So after applying way too much, and sanding it down here is what it looks like after the first coat. I need to touch up a few small areas but this stuff worked wonderfully!




No more Canyon!




I will continue to update this thread as I finish the project.

Hope you guys enjoyed!

O and if you don't mind, I want some input on leaving it a "half" dash (top only) or trying to reattach the sides and bottom. I think I can successfully reattach them, the question is: is it worth it!??

[EScanlon]

Excellent post!

Here's the link to the filler:
http://www.urethanesupply.com/mm5/merch ... gory_Code=" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I'm interested in seeing how it works out for you. I'd tried a couple of different "flexible" part filler / repair kits and was not satisfied. In the end, I simply re-covered my dash with some vinyl and some extra foam to eliminate the "canyons".

As far as joining the upper and lower pieces, IMO, I think that you will be much more satisfied with the final job if you do so. Otherwise, when you get in and out of the car, you'll notice this void on the side and lower edges. While there are those who might like that look, IMO it looks like a half-baked repair. You're apparently working with a good material, why not go "whole hog" and finish it to original?

Don't know how good this material would work as a "glue" for the upper and lower halves of the dash. (Why wouldn't it?) But if you don't think it would work, you might consider using a product called Goop. It is essentialy silicone on steroids. While it is somewhat flexible, I wouldn't recommend it for what you are doing on the dash cover.

Do post your results with more pictures, as the guys over on the Z forums would love to know more details.

On the Z's, the color of choice to paint is actually a dye, SEM Landau Black (15013) which yields a nice satin black.

FWIW/HTH
E

[s15to311]

As far as joining the upper and lower pieces, IMO, I think that you will be much more satisfied with the final job if you do so. Otherwise, when you get in and out of the car, you'll notice this void on the side and lower edges. While there are those who might like that look, IMO it looks like a half-baked repair. You're apparently working with a good material, why not go "whole hog" and finish it to original?

Don't know how good this material would work as a "glue" for the upper and lower halves of the dash. (Why wouldn't it?) But if you don't think it would work, you might consider using a product called Goop. It is essentialy silicone on steroids. While it is somewhat flexible, I wouldn't recommend it for what you are doing on the dash cover.

Hmm, I'm just not sure. I still haven't made my mind up, but you raise a valid point.

I have looked at several pics of roadsters with just the upper part of the dash, and it didn't look out of place if you don't know what you're loking at... haha

[datsun1500]

Make sure you were not looking at 1500s, they came that way.

[Fairlady66]

I would be interested in you telling about the details as you go through this process with pictures. I would love to see the final out come. Looks good so far.

[s15to311]

Make sure you were not looking at 1500s, they came that way.

Well, I'm not sure I was just browsing through pics on google. But, if 1500's came that way then it can't look too out of place

I would be interested in you telling about the details as you go through this process with pictures. I would love to see the final out come. Looks good so far.

Sure no problem... I'll keep you guys updated.

[spl310]

The 1500s that had the half pad were the 3 seat cars. The later 1500s had dashes like the 1600s and had the full surround.

[s15to311]

The 1500s that had the half pad were the 3 seat cars. The later 1500s had dashes like the 1600s and had the full surround.

Ahh ok.

How do you think a half pad would look on a '66 1600? Akward? I dunno I can't decide.

[23yrRebuild]

Looks good.

[s15to311]

And a year later.... haha

I finally made a little moer progress on the dash this afternoon:

I started with this (3 broken pieces):


The best thing I could come up with on how to re-attach these pieces would be to use metal or wooden dowel pins to connect the pieces and use some 3M vinyl glue to hold everything together. Here is the result:
Wooden Dowels:


This is how I marked the location on the adjoining piece:


I used 2 Dowels on every piece I could:


The end result:






Overall, I am happy with the result. I will use the padded dash filler to fill in the gaps and hopefully this will also add a little bit of strength to it as well.

[notoptoy]

How is the dash repair filler holding up after a year? Overall your project is looking good. My 67.5 has the half dash, and I will eventually want to correct that, but I don't think it looks bad at all.

[s15to311]

How is the dash repair filler holding up after a year? Overall your project is looking good. My 67.5 has the half dash, and I will eventually want to correct that, but I don't think it looks bad at all.

I was honestly suprised how well it is holding up. It sat in my attic for a year with a lot of temperature change and only one of the thinner areas had a crack in it, but even that wasn't really a crack, more of a seperation.

Once it is recovered (I've decided to use black vinyl) I think it will add some strength to the repaired sections too once applied.

[S Allen]

It is too bad your pictures have disappeared. We have an album here on the forum plus I installed a Coppermine Album here years ago. http://www.311s.org/Coppermine/index.php
Pictures are a great way to share your work. Any ways...............

Steve

[s15to311]

It is too bad your pictures have disappeared. We have an album here on the forum plus I installed a Coppermine Album here years ago. http://www.311s.org/Coppermine/index.php
Pictures are a great way to share your work. Any ways...............

Steve

The pictures still work for me? Sometimes the server goes down, but they should be up forever.. haha