How do I fix that classic Dashboard Crack?

[Have914]

Is there a method for successfully filling in or cosmetically repairing that classic crack that always goes right down the middle of the dash? Can it be filled with some sort of caulking and then sealed? The rest of the dash is in perfect shape and getting a new one is too damn expensive. Anyone fix this crack successfully?

[Patrick]

As cheesy as it may sound, try one of the plastic dash covers. They're around $75.00 if I remember right. They look great and are easy to install (just a few dollups of silicone). Your ashtray will catch on it going in and out but if you don't smoke like me its no big deal.

[rich]

check with your local auto detailers. A friend of mine use to go around to the dealerships and do dash crack repairs. He had some kind of clear vynal filler. He used a pin point heat gun to melt and fuse the filler to the dash, then when the filler was still warm he would match it in by pressing the repair with a closely matching piece of
vynal. After it would cool he would mask and spray a matching finish color on the whole dash. He did a guys car I know and it looked nice. Good luck

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Another option was suggested to me quite a number of years ago, before the vinyl dash covers existed.

Use a small drill bit to carefully drill holes at each end of the crack. This helps relieve the stress and helps to keep the crack from propogating.

Then use "DURO Black Plastic Rubber" (I think) to fill in the crack and cover it. The person who sent that adivce said he had gotten good results from it. I never was able to get a drill into the area where my dash is cracked, and my own repair job with the black plastic stuff looked pretty mediocre. I think some way of getting the edges of the crack back down would help, since they peeled upwards a bit.

But the easiest thing--and probably best-looking--is probably the vinyl cover.

--DD