GREAT REPAIR SYSTEM FOR DASH COVER!, Low-cost and easy repair for all the cracks Options

[stewteral]

[attachmentid=264
324]
ALL 914ers:

I've come up with a great way to repair the cracks in the dash cover yourself
with minimal tools and a little work:

1) Remove the dash cover from the car by loosening the nylon nuts holding it in place. This will leave the dash in place.

2) Buy 2 things:
-FLEXIBLE body filler made for repairing plastic bumpers (~~$20)
This is like Bondo, but formulated to remain flexible after setting.
-Eastwood # 12742Z Flexible Sealer and Sound Deadener from
Jegs as they are $5 cheaper than Eastwood.
http://www.jegs.com/i/Eastwood/352/12742Z/10002/-1

3) Remove foam back from the edges of cracks to create a good pocket to hold the putty. I used a Dremel tool, but it could also be done with an X-Acto knife.
(Harbor Freight has a "Dremel" tool for ~~ $9)

4) Mix the putty and fill the cracks leave enough sticking above the level of the dash cover to allow sanding flush.

5) Sand carefully with 50 or 60 grit until almost flush, then finish with 100 grit.

6) With the surface of the dash cover now smooth when sliding your hand up & down its length, spray the Eastwood sealer in long smooth passes over the part as a 12" - 18" distance. I found 18" very good for laying an even coat.
I found that the spary nozzle is NOT a paint type and afte a pass of spraying, excess sealer will build up on the nozzle and cause large drops on the sprayed finish. The solution was to wipe the nozzle clean after each pass.

7) After the plastic coat has dryed, it can be sanded to 50-60 grit sanding block to smooth out the layer.

8) The Eastwood can is good for 3 good coats, so you must plan on make your 3rd coat your last.

Attached are photos of the results: a smooth, nicely textured flexible plastic surface.

Enjoy,
Terry