Dash Repair 101

[Porsche_monkey]

My cab is waiting for the painter, so, time to attack the crappy dash that got sunburned while it lived in California. (Think Phyllis Diller pre-face-lift).

Anyhow, once I removed it, I dropped it off at the local 'interior repair guy'. His estimate was not 'amenable to my current financial situation'. Basically he wanted over 120 gallons of 100 Octane gas for the repair.

So, plan B, patch sand and paint.

Starting with:



Hey, I said it was bad...

I patched the holes with two part epoxy bumper repair caulking...





Next some coarse sanding followed by water sanding the entire dash, finishing with 320 or 400 grit....

[Porsche_monkey]

Caveats required: This will never look like a new dash. The areas that cracked and separated change shape, and no amount of 'body work' can bring them back to 'factory'.

So, moving on: Stage III is application of SEM's dash spray 'Texture Coating':



This leaves you with a foundation that is a bit rough, sort of likes it's been flocked (Z-man: that's a real word), so next is sanding with 400 grit to 'even out the surface' and knock the bumps off.

Which leaves this:



and this...




Last: A top coat of black semi-gloss bumper paint...






The pictures show more variation than the naked eye would normally see. It looks better than the pictures show, and once it's had a second coat and been re-installed it will look even better.

There are still a few areas where the finish is a bit rough, I will scotch-brite those areas and top coat them in the next few days.

Other notes: The finish on the textured spray depends on spray distance, do not go too far away, the can says 18", 12" is better.

There is obviously no grain like the factory finish, and I suspect the surface will tend to collect dust. Time will tell....

Total cost - about 20 gallons of premium, leaving me 100 gallons ahead. With a half-decent dash.

[Paulporsche]

Very nice!

[donporfi]

What does twp stand for?
Is it a trade name?
I was thinking of doing this to my dash.

[Porsche_monkey]

Originally Posted by Paulporsche

Very nice!

Thank-you, let's say 'a big improvement'.

Originally Posted by donporfi

What does twp stand for?
Is it a trade name?
I was thinking of doing this to my dash.

Doh... typo. TWO part epoxy...fixed now.

I tried to find the tube today but no luck. I'll post the info ASAP.

[donporfi]

Thanks.
The problem is that we cannot have all the materials down here.

[Porsche_monkey]

Originally Posted by donporfi

Thanks.
The problem is that we cannot have all the materials down here.

Basically it is five-minute epoxy, mix it and pour it in. I've also read that expanding spray foam insulation will work.

[Fritz Peyerl]

so what's your address? I will send 20 gallons of high test along. My dash looks the same, before the treatment.

[Elombard]

Nice, any body know if there are any threads on replacing a rusty area on the back side and the studs associated with it?

[Porsche_monkey]

Send it to me UPS (Toronto area) and I'll do it cheap...I prefer high test (single malt), but 20 gallons is way too much.

[Porsche_monkey]

Originally Posted by Elombard

Nice, any body know if there are any threads on replacing a rusty area on the back side and the studs associated with it?

Never seen one, but a bit of silicone should work.

[Jagshund]

Flocking fabulous fix for fuel-focused . . . feral . . . something . . .

[Porsche_monkey]

Ford Focus?

[Jagshund]

FANATICS!!!! Yes!! That's the word. Fanatics.

[Elombard]

Monkey why did you not go with a cover? This looks a little better but still a lot of work.

Silicone?? I am talking about the back side where the metal "sheet" is that the studs are attached. I would like to remove the metal plate and replace it but its buried in foam. I think I will try cutting out the rusted area and epoxy in a plate section with a new stud. I am concerned if I dont get the placement just right tje stud wont go through the hole in the dash...

[dlague]

does anyone have any experience with dash covers for the 911?

I have one and am waiting to take the windshield out to install it.

Any hints? I know I have to do some work to make the old dash smoother in a few places etc..

Dick

[kfosburg]

I made some simple repairs to my dash which looked nice... but the underlying issue of it being very brittle caused more cracks as I started to put some miles on it... Do you think the finish applied here (which looks great imo) will help?

Karl
1971 911E

[signature65]

I have a cover lay on my dash and I hate it. It looks incredibly cheap.

[4flyboy]

Originally Posted by signature65

I have a cover lay on my dash and I hate it. It looks incredibly cheap.

Ditto: I've been thinking of removing the cap and giving it the same treatment flock etc. The idea being to try and make the finish more acceptable. I have high hopes for this. The only downside is a hundred bucks for a new ugly cap. Big deal. I'll let you know how it comes out.

Scott

[1982911SCTarga]

I'll be recovering the dash on my cabriolet later this year. Stay tuned.

Brian