Dash Pad Repair

[Jerry S.]

I have a few small cracks in my 1966 passenger side dash pad. Wondering if anyone has a good solution to repair these. I see a few vinyl repair kits on line but have no experience with them. It seems like if I were able to fill a small syringe with the repair solution, I could inject a very small amount along the cracks and hope that it would barely be noticeable. I am not overly concerned about judging and not ready to spend $750 for a new replacement das pad. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

[Rich G.]

I hope somebody comes up with a good solution. I have a worse situation with my 66. Years ago a gorilla masquerading as an auto mechanic replaced the heater core in my 66 which I assume required removal and replacement of the glove box. In any case I have a quarter size chunk missing from the under side of the top edge of my dash pad. Any solution I have heard about sounds like it will look just as bad than what is there. I’m resigned to offering a discount to the next owner. But, hoping to here something new since I looked years ago.

[Mike E.]

I have a few small cracks in my 1966 passenger side dash pad. Wondering if anyone has a good solution to repair these. I see a few vinyl repair kits on line but have no experience with them. It seems like if I were able to fill a small syringe with the repair solution, I could inject a very small amount along the cracks and hope that it would barely be noticeable. I am not overly concerned about judging and not ready to spend $750 for a new replacement das pad. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

What you face is this choice: have the sight of the crack bother you, or have the sight of the repair bother you.

[Jerry S.]

Thanks for the feedback. That is my scenario exactly, only I was the gorilla and while changing my heater core, I lightly grab ahold of the side of my dash pad to help pull myself out of the footwell. Big mistake as I didn't realize how brittle the covering was. Lesson learned. I guess I will decide on the lessor of two evils. Just hope that the repair will help prevent any further cracking since it's not that noticeable.

[Steven B.]

What you face is this choice: have the sight of the crack bother you, or have the sight of the repair bother you.

What Mike said. Decades ago I repaired some, but not all, of the cracks on my windlace. Even today I look at the repairs and the non-repaired. Both bother me. Flip a coin and good luck!

[Walter R.]

Have you thought about replacing your dash pads?

[Jerry S.]

As a last resort, I would replace the dash pad but the video's I see show removing the entire dash. I don't think the damage is bad enough to resort to that much work.

[Walter R.]

I replaced mine as part of a complete dash refirbishment so replacing pads was not too big of a task. A month after completion of job i left a drop light on passenger pad and burnt the new pad and had to replace again.

[Ron G.]

Walter,

In previous replies I have suggested a friend of mine here in Connecticut who does an outstanding job. He even re-incorporates the original grain back into the area that is in need of repair. Also, he will replicate the original factory sheen. If you have any interest, please feel free to reach out to me via my email at: RgodutiLT1@ yahoo.com and will share his contact information. - Ron

[Tim G.]

As Ron stated, a good repair person can make the damage go away. Finding that person is a chore these days. If Ron can recommend someone, use that person.

[Jerry S.]

Thanks to all of you who have replied to my dash pad dilemma. Since I'm not at a point to remove my dash, I'm going to give it my best shot to repair while it's in place. I'm going to practice on sample patches of vinyl, using a vinyl repair kit I purchased, along with a couple other options I've been contemplating. I'll post some before and after pictures that may be helpful to any others with the same issues I'm dealing with.

[Thomas W.]

Hi Jerry. You might check this source for vinyl repair kit. I have used their vinyl restoration products and they are excellent. I have not used their repair kits.

https://rubnrestore.com/

Tom

[Gerald C.]

Walter,

In previous replies I have suggested a friend of mine here in Connecticut who does an outstanding job. He even re-incorporates the original grain back into the area that is in need of repair. Also, he will replicate the original factory sheen. If you have any interest, please feel free to reach out to me via my email at: RgodutiLT1@ yahoo.com and will share his contact information. - Ron

Ron has done work for me and he did a great job at a reasonable price!