Upper dash trim

**Whamhammer** · 09-01-2015, 01:51 PM

Does anyone make a repro upper dash trim, the flat peice up against the windshield that cracks with age? I just got a small crack near the thin part of the vent/security bulb. I've seen the vinyl covers but dont know how flush they are, nor if the trim keeps cracking, if the cover will stay as it should.

**raynor139** · 09-01-2015, 02:05 PM

I have not seen any repros yet. I bought NOS one about a year or so ago and it was slightly over 400.

**raynor139** · 09-01-2015, 02:08 PM

The vinyl ones are ok but you can tell its a cover but it's not super obvious if you get a decent made one and install it correctly. I just wanted it be a real piece which is why I bought a new one.

**Whamhammer** · 09-01-2015, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by raynor139

The vinyl ones are ok but you can tell its a cover but it's not super obvious if you get a decent made one and install it correctly. I just wanted it be a real piece which is why I bought a new one.

$400 is a bit steep for me, would epoxy fix a smallish crack?

**raynor139** · 09-01-2015, 07:36 PM

Yeah I've seen some guys over on tech take some completely shattered ones and rebuild them using epoxy and then cover them in either a leatherette or vinyl material. Looks pretty good but alot of work. A small crack probably would be pretty easy and you can possibly reinforce the rest and keep it from getting any worse.

**Whamhammer** · 09-02-2015, 04:18 AM

Originally Posted by raynor139

Yeah I've seen some guys over on tech take some completely shattered ones and rebuild them using epoxy and then cover them in either a leatherette or vinyl material. Looks pretty good but alot of work. A small crack probably would be pretty easy and you can possibly reinforce the rest and keep it from getting any worse.

What are you thinking as far as reinforcement? Maybe a layer of epoxy on the underside? I plan on using what some people call "45 minute glue", its an epoxy that body-shops use to adhere large panels to the cars body and hold it in place so they can do the welding more accurately.

***SMWS6TA*** · 09-03-2015, 09:43 AM

I would try plastic welding first over epoxy.

Not hard to do but you need to make sure you don't burn through. All you need is a soldering iron and some donor plastic material similar to the pad.

I've made a few repairs to plastic items using this.

**Whamhammer** · 09-03-2015, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by SMWS6TA

I would try plastic welding first over epoxy.

Not hard to do but you need to make sure you don't burn through. All you need is a soldering iron and some donor plastic material similar to the pad.

I've made a few repairs to plastic items using this.

I ll have to look into that, any good links for that, or are all about the same?

***SMWS6TA*** · 09-03-2015, 12:28 PM

Here is a thread on an air lid I've been working on. It will show you the basics.

http://www.ls1.com/forums/f63/airlid-repair-181652/

**Whamhammer** · 09-03-2015, 01:18 PM

I put pix of the crack in my album. I will try to do it here after I get home. Its pretty small in damage and size compared to what you did.

**Whamhammer** · 09-09-2015, 03:59 PM

Originally Posted by SMWS6TA

Here is a thread on an air lid I've been working on. It will show you the basics.

http://www.ls1.com/forums/f63/airlid-repair-181652/

This is what I am looking at, would it be too small for "plastic welding"?:

http://www.ls1.com/forums/members/wh...dash-crack.jpg

**nathan c** · 09-21-2015, 06:34 AM

Keep in mind a small crack is going to get bigger.

**Whamhammer** · 09-21-2015, 06:47 AM

Originally Posted by nathan c

Keep in mind a small crack is going to get bigger.

Thats why I am asking the questions that I am, I dont know if the platic welding, or supported hard core epoxy are the best solution.

***SMWS6TA*** · 09-24-2015, 06:08 AM

Originally Posted by Whamhammer

This is what I am looking at, would it be too small for "plastic welding"?:

http://www.ls1.com/forums/members/wh...dash-crack.jpg

Sorry I'm late replying. Yes you can plastic weld. You would do it on the back. As long as you don't hold the iron there to the point it pushes through you'll be ok..

**pajeff02** · 09-24-2015, 06:34 PM

Eastwood makes a nice plastic welding kit: TPO, TEO & PP Plastic Welding Kit

**nathan c** · 09-28-2015, 10:20 AM

6litereaterdesigns.com has a reproduction dash pad for $190 plus shipping. That might be what you want.

**Whamhammer** · 09-28-2015, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by pajeff02

Eastwood makes a nice plastic welding kit: TPO, TEO & PP Plastic Welding Kit

Am I reading it right that the plastic strips that are provided would work for the welding, no matter what the plastic is?

**Whamhammer** · 09-28-2015, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by nathan c

6litereaterdesigns.com has a reproduction dash pad for $190 plus shipping. That might be what you want.

Nathan,

What they offer is a cover for the crash pad that goes over a cracked dash pad, not a crash pad itself. I wan't to fix the actual "pad" (I dont see whats so "paddy" about it) before I go to a cover.