Dash repair kit

greenfyregirl · Post by **greenfyregirl** » 10th April 2008 - 6:58pm

Ive just bought one from halfords,

and wondered if anyone had ever used one before and has any tips before i embark on the task!!

shawn71 · Post by **shawn71** » 10th April 2008 - 7:46pm

Is this to repair the padded dash where they split?

If so let us know if it works as it may be the solution to my less than perfect dash.

nitro_warrior · Post by **nitro_warrior** » 10th April 2008 - 8:01pm

Is it this kit?

Dash Repair

I've not used it either but would love to see the results!

nidge · Post by **nidge** » 10th April 2008 - 8:40pm

let us know how it turns out

easy · Post by **easy** » 11th April 2008 - 9:25am

Interested in seeing the before and after pics

greenfyregirl · Post by **greenfyregirl** » 11th April 2008 - 12:21pm

yep, thats the kit.

It seems to be quite comprehensive, lots of bottles etc!
ok, il be the guinea pig! one thing is it seems to be for holes and scratches rather than for massive cracks, but we'l see!!!

Post by **purplepeter** » 11th April 2008 - 3:19pm

at risk of stating the obvious..you are going to try a small area on the back first arent you?

might be worth seeing if Dave knows what kind of plastic the dash is made of?

Be a shame to find out the chemicals melted your existing dash wouldnt it?!

greenfyregirl · Post by **greenfyregirl** » 11th April 2008 - 6:56pm

well, i will now!! ta!

Post by **Editor** » 11th April 2008 - 9:21pm

The reason the dashes crack is the plasticiser - ie the chemical that keeps it supple - evaporates over years, and because the dash is held by screws, the shrinking leads to it tearing apart.

Looks like the kit has got a superglue derivative, and the putty stuff is to recreate the pattern.

See how close the sides of the crack get with some sideways pressure - could be some of the damage would stick back again.

I got a reasonable effect with some black butyl (I think) sealant which stuck the edges and filled. I've a big tube waiting to try again. Silicone sealant doesn't look right - too shiny and too flexible.

The USA kits years ago had a thick aluminium foil to take a rubbing of the dash grain pattern.

corndog · Post by **corndog** » 12th April 2008 - 12:53am

If its a "superglue derivative" don't expect it to last to many years

Especially with all the heat and sunlight its gonna get

Angelo Amato · Post by **Angelo Amato** » 2nd May 2008 - 1:54pm

flocking that is

tis the future !

Post by **purplepeter** » 2nd May 2008 - 5:13pm

Something i read on the lotus elan forum yesterday,that may or may not be pertinent..

Apparently you can get "plastic welding"kits consisting of a filler of abs or something similar..
T'other idea was to steal a childs lego brick of the appropriate colour,and immerse it in acetone..which melts the lego,and leaves you with a sticky glob of melted plastic,that can be used to repair plastics of a similar nature

i'll go back and re read the lotus thing tonight,and add to this if i've missed anything pertinent!

easy · Post by **easy** » 2nd May 2008 - 6:43pm

purplepeter wrote:Something i read on the lotus elan forum yesterday,that may or may not be pertinent..

Apparently you can get "plastic welding"kits consisting of a filler of abs or something similar..
T'other idea was to steal a childs lego brick of the appropriate colour,and immerse it in acetone..which melts the lego,and leaves you with a sticky glob of melted plastic,that can be used to repair plastics of a similar nature

i'll go back and re read the lotus thing tonight,and add to this if i've missed anything pertinent!

that sounds super interesting, let me know your findings sir!

Post by **purplepeter** » 2nd May 2008 - 8:32pm

Best thing probably,is to let you read the whole thing for yourself..

http://www.lotuselan.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=16250

Plus 2's were around roughly late 60's til mid 70's so are/were contempary with type 3's..the plastic consoles referred to are about as rare as nos rhd type 3 dashes!

greenfyregirl · Post by **greenfyregirl** » 8th May 2008 - 10:10pm

hmmm...

the kit is not so easy!! I had trouble with getting a good enough dash impression in order to re-create the pattern - so just looks like a blob of super glue

oh dear!! might have another go, NOT on the car!!

nitro_warrior · Post by **nitro_warrior** » 9th May 2008 - 7:39pm

Pictures!

Dash repair kit

Dash repair kit

GET FLOCKED !!