Unique 911 dash repair?

I've got an '88 911 with the usual dash crack. I recently re-dyed my entire interior with a product called leatherique. I tried using a crack filler that they make for seats (which works great) on the crack on my dash. I filled it in in layeres with a syringe, sanded it to level,and then re-dyed the dash. This worked well until a little sun exposure. The the filler pulled away from the edges of the dash.
Has anyone had any luck with a particular filler? that could be dyed over to match up the dash?
Has anyone tried pulling the dash, and recovering it with vinyl or leather?
I've heard a lot about dash caps, but do they make them for the 87-89 cars? Do they look good, or do they look cheap?

Any advice or help would be much appreciated!
Thanks,
David88911

I too was able to do a semi-successful patch on my dash years ago before it completely self destructed. I guess the materials in those repair kits just cannot hold up to the constant thermal expansion/contraction. Obviously they expand/contract at a different rate then the dash itself so the crack pulls away from the repair material.

I've also tried one of the dash caps (on my 70 E) and I returned it because the grain and overall appearance just didn't match the original dash or rest of the interior closely enough IMHO. Basically, I'm not sure I'd say it looked "cheap", but it stood out noticably as opposed to being an inconspicuous solution. Not sure if this is valid for all brands of caps and/or all 911 model years.

So, to make a short story long, Monday a new factory dash -- $700+ -- is being installed before the new windshield goes in. Brutally expensive, but the later types may be a little easier on the wallet.

Good luck!

Chris C.

PS also those velour "dash savers" are another option: I have one on my 914 and I really don't mind it. For $40-50 the price is right.

David,
I've recovered my dash with leather. The thing wasn't cracked, it just looked out of place with the seats, lower dash, steering wheel, door upper edges that I had finished recovering.
It can be done. I'm a home mechanic and I learned upholstering out of necessity with a torn driver's seat and some leather.
The trick is to find a real SUPPLE piece of leather. I used high temperature resistant contact glue, and went bit by bit. I didn't put any sewing on the edges, because the skin was supple enough.
I'd say not to cover a cracked/repaired dash because the crack/repair will show through and by then you won't be able to do anything.
And of course, after all that, buy a good made to fit windshield shade...
Hope this helps, GeorgeK

While we're on this dashboard subject, does anyone know which dashes can easily fit other years? For instance, I have a '70E and can get a 75-85 dash for around $450 new.
I have heard that with some "minor drilling", it will go right in.

Any experience on this?

------------------
John
73 911S

Don't forget that starting 1977, grilles appeared on the center of the dash, and that starting 1976, the speaker grille disappeared.
Otherwise, the dash should be the same until the appearance of the new defroster vents.
MHO, GeorgeK

Vertex advertises new dashes for about $380.

Are the early no-vent, speaker grille types NLA now? I bought mine 3 years ago and stored it in my shed...it is finally getting installed Monday.