Irrepairable Dash

[Jferr006]

My dash has several long and wide cracks in it. I've read here and elsewhere about filling the cracks with silicone caulk and a top sanded layer of bondo then paint but, does it hold up? I'm really trying not to get ride of any pieces that just need a some work. Is the repair worth trying or do you know from experience that it's goign to end up in a replacement anyways? Any other tips for significant dash damage other than replacing?

[Ky914Newbie]

I haven't done it, but I am considering trying to hack my dash repair with this:

How to repair holes in your dashboard with sugru + other car hacks

It is either that or try to get some vinyl, remove the dash, and recover with the vent cover from 928leather.

[jcommin]

Janet,

There are many posts from owners who have done a number of things to their dashes.

A vinyl cover (cap)
A repair such as you describe
A recover

I've done the vinyl cover and did not like it.
I went for a recover which I'm very happy with. Had it done in 2006 by Classic9 leather and it has held up very well.

There are pros and cons to each. Previous posts will point that out.


I'm sure others will comment. Good luck.

[Jferr006]

I really want to try not to have to take it out. :x

[jcommin]

Originally Posted by Jferr006

I really want to try not to have to take it out. :x

The task becomes more challenging if you don't remove the dash. Clark's Garage has an excellent procedure on dash removal. I did mine - need patience, camera, wire tags. Not for the faint of heart, but not difficult either. It's also a good time to change burnt out blubs.

[strupgolf]

I'm in the same shape with my dash. Many cracks and I thought; just take the dash out. After looking closely at it, looks hard to do. I might just buy a cover that goes over the top.

[Gawernator]

I got the dash cap from JC Whitney.. A recover would be better but wasn't worth removing the dashboard to me and it looks pretty good

[Jferr006]

Thanks for the info, ill look a the how-to and see how bad it is to take out.

[Grandad#3]

Janet, Since you are doing a restore and a V8 Swap out do it right the first time. Take out the dash then you can clean up all the old wiring and the Grounds that are so hard to reach otherwise. You might also redo the fuse box connections while the dash is out. Take pictures along the way and it will not be hard to reinstall the dash. Get baggies to put the screws in and label where they go as you remove them.

Cheers,
Larry

[Tervuren]

My early dash is also in pretty bad shape. Also the wiring and grounds are starting to go. The early dash in its original form just doesn't hold to the extra radiation its exposed to here in the USA. Late model dashes are much better in this respect.

Here's what I'm eventually going to have to deal with myself.


Given the eventual dash electrical gremlins that can set in, I'd vote for taking the dash out, getting it recovered, and while its out, clean and take care of all your electrical connectors. I believe some people beef up their grounds also. If not, one day your gauges will start intermittently working, and then, eventually not working at all.

This is the route I plan to take with my early car after I finish the mechanicals on my late dash project car and have it running as my daily driver.

[VirginiaF1]

Originally Posted by Jferr006

Thanks for the info, ill look a the how-to and see how bad it is to take out.

Howdy!
Where in Virginia?
Here in Richmond there are a few good indy Porsche shops if you need them.
Good Luck!

[Jferr006]

If everyone says take it out, I won't make my life harder by being too stubborn to listen to people that have already been there. Thanks

[jcommin]

The more you refurbish, recondition the interior, the more crappier the unfinished items will look.

You indicated you will recover the seats. You are looking into doing something to your dash. Carrying forward: what does the wheel, carpets, rear sear, door panels look like? Once you start this, it snowballs and the money spent increases.

If you decide to take the dash out you can upgrade the radio - then speakers, on and on.

[Jferr006]

The carpet is new, I'm about half way through installing it. Since the center console is out I painted it and vinyl painted the armrest.
This thing was so bad inside. A lot of the interior pieces came off of another car so they are in good shape. Door panels are getting repainted.
Most of you would have cried at the sight of the interior when I got it.

[Grandad#3]

No, Janet, we would have run away fast if the car was as you describe its condition.

Cheers,
Larry

[Jferr006]

Probably but she's really starting to look good now! The only thing left that is in bad shape is this dash and the steering wheel. Everything else looks brand spankin new.

[diamondzz]

if you are handy with sewing you could always recover in alcantara which is the best material on earth that goes in a car, which is what i plan to do wayyy down the line. it is way better than vinyl but more expensive @ 90$ a yard but if you have felt it you will know you want it...also it is some great material at holding its stitching and resisting heat

[Catamax944]

You can also get the dash done professionally to the factory original look ,in other words vacuform it . This is the only way to get it to look factory made and be perfect , with leather recovering also looks very nice but you will have all the seam stitching showing.
Only drawback to vacuforming is the price , it's pretty expensive Vacuformed 944 dash recover

[mhr]

I don't know how long it will last or much else about this solution but a friend of mine had it done on his car and it looks nice. Think it cost him about $250 may be worth checking out.

Fibrenew - The Experts in Leather Repair, Vinyl and Plastic Restoration

[rothaus]

here you go

Cool how-to on recovering 944/2 dash