Repairing Guides

how to repair plastic dashboard

by Zoila Lesch Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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To start with, here are the tools that you will need for this DIY instructional material to remove or fix scratches on your plastic dashboard:

  • Heat Gun or Hair Dryer – provides heat to the plastic dashboard surface so that its shape can be modified to look like the other dashboard areas
  • Car Cleaner (Interior) – this should be a cleaner designed for jeeps so as not to damage the surface of your dashboard and be careful to choose a high-quality cleaner ...
  • Cleaning Cloth – this cloth should be made up of microfiber
  • Grit Sandpaper – should be fine to easily finish up the surfaces not totally cleaned and blend-in after which
  • Grain Pads – also called a textured automotive finishing, these pads should be for the interior. ...
  • Gloves – Lint-free (optional) – it depends on whether you would like to use this when doing the fix, but this helps in protecting the dashboard from unnecessary marks brought ...

Part of a video titled How To Repair a CRACKED DASH or Cover IT UP! - YouTube
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We did the same thing here we took a piece of plastic. And we had heared it with Krazy Glue and someMoreWe did the same thing here we took a piece of plastic. And we had heared it with Krazy Glue and some baking soda.

Full Answer

How can you repair a bad crack in the dashboard?

You will need:

  • Your damaged car part
  • 1 or 2 single-use packs of Sugru (depending on the size of the crack)
  • Soapy water
  • Toilet/Tissue paper

Can cracked dashboards be repaired?

You can now mix vinyl paint to match the color of the dashboard and apply it to the bondo. Be sure to blend the edges so it matches the surrounding areas. A dashboard that's heavily cracked will not be able to be properly repaired. In this case, you should replace it.

How to fix cracked plastic?

Method 1 Method 1 of 4: Gluing the Cracked Plastic

  1. Use plastic glue to fix small cracks in plastic. If you need to reconnect a crack in plastic, you can use plastic glue, which is specially formulated to bond ...
  2. Apply the glue to the edges of the crack. Squeezing the tube gently, spread a layer over the edges you will reconnect.
  3. Connect the edges of the crack. ...
  4. Allow the glue to fully cure. ...

How to fix scratches on a plastic dashboard?

  • Heat gun – Used to heat and remould the plastic
  • Interior grain pad – For retexturing the plastic to duplicate the original
  • Sandpaper – Superfine grit works best
  • Interior Car Cleaner – Get yourself a quality cleaner that’ll remove ingrained dirt from plastic surfaces, and one that’s designed for use on cars

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Can cracked dashboards be repaired?

A cracked dashboard indicates a structural issue beyond mere leather or vinyl filler. Furthermore, most dashes are either rigid plastic or vinyl laminated to a thick foam pad. Neither can be sub-patched. A flexible epoxy is the best solution.

How do you fix peeling vinyl dashboard?

9:2413:14Easy Peeling GM Dash Repair | The Tahoe Returns! - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd just spray this whole thing down in the car your need to pull the dash out all right guys so IMoreAnd just spray this whole thing down in the car your need to pull the dash out all right guys so I did the next day. I got the - all touched up. It's all dried. And check it out.

How do you repair a rubber dashboard?

5:197:02Cracked Dashboard Repair - Padded Dashboard - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipApply 10 50 plastic magic overall to help the primer stick to the dashboard. Apply a poly VanceMoreApply 10 50 plastic magic overall to help the primer stick to the dashboard. Apply a poly Vance waterborne primer to fill the existing texture sand overall with 240. And 320 grit paper apply spot

How do you reskin a dashboard?

0:418:34How to reskin the dashboard - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo I'll just change them to white to show you how it works. So why in this case is f-f-f-f-f-f-f.MoreSo I'll just change them to white to show you how it works. So why in this case is f-f-f-f-f-f-f. And I'll set the other one to that as well. I need to save the stylesheet.

How do I rebuild my car dashboard?

0:016:19How To Repair Cracked Dashboard - DIY Tutorial Using Sugru GlueYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you see here that i have gray white and black they also have blue red and some other colors. SoMoreSo you see here that i have gray white and black they also have blue red and some other colors. So the first thing you're going to want to do is match the color of the glue to the dashboard.

How do you fix plastic car interior?

0:3320:18How To Repair Broken Plastic Car Parts - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipI like using toothpicks here to actually apply the epoxy. Now depending on how nice you want theMoreI like using toothpicks here to actually apply the epoxy. Now depending on how nice you want the final product to look we're going to use various grits of different sandpaper.

How do you fix a sun damaged dashboard?

1:475:34$6 Dashboard Restoration - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe're gonna prep the surface just by wiping it down with some mineral spirits on paper towel. It'sMoreWe're gonna prep the surface just by wiping it down with some mineral spirits on paper towel. It's gonna get all the dust and oil.

How do you restore a vinyl dashboard?

0:104:05How To Restore OEM Look To Your Dashboard In Under 5 Minutes!YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's going to bond properly. So instead of spraying directly onto the dashboard i could sprayMoreIt's going to bond properly. So instead of spraying directly onto the dashboard i could spray directly onto the dashboard. But i want to avoid over spray i'll just spray. Directly onto my boar's.

How do you restore a vinyl dashboard?

0:104:05How To Restore OEM Look To Your Dashboard In Under 5 Minutes!YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's going to bond properly. So instead of spraying directly onto the dashboard i could sprayMoreIt's going to bond properly. So instead of spraying directly onto the dashboard i could spray directly onto the dashboard. But i want to avoid over spray i'll just spray. Directly onto my boar's.

How do you fix a sun damaged dashboard?

0:145:34$6 Dashboard Restoration - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPaper do you have card stock it actually works better you don't even have to tape it up it'll holdMorePaper do you have card stock it actually works better you don't even have to tape it up it'll hold itself in place but I don't. And I just take them. And slide them back.

Can you vinyl wrap a car dashboard?

Vinyl Dash Wraps Works well over existing trim and does not require removal of dash components or panels.

How much does it cost to reupholster a dashboard?

The Best in Auto Repair The average cost for dashboard replacement is between $1,935 and $2,084. Labor costs are estimated between $570 and $719 while parts are priced at $1,365.

What to use to fix scratches on black plastic dashboard?

(Some have also recommended the use of shoe polish instead of a Sharpie. Both will likely need to be redone overtime, however, the shoe polish will likely fade before a Sharpie will.

How to fix scratches on dashboard?

(The surface should become warm, to the touch and slightly pliable.) While the area is warm, use your fingers to gently, but firmly, rub out the scratch. Continue to heat and rub out sections of the scratches until your dashboard has been restored.

What is the best way to get rid of scratches on a car?

The Sharpie trick is best used for surface scratches only. All you need for this method is a fine tip, black Sharpie marker. (It should go without saying that this is also typically only used on black plastic dashboards. While Sharpies do come in many different colors, most will not marry up to your car’s interior.)

What happens if you scratch your car dashboard?

Any dirt particles, oils, and other debris left in and around the scratch can contaminate your results. From making the color of your dashboard appear off to causing fillers to be unable to adhere correctly – dirt will damage your results. Make sure you clean to prevent future issues.

Why are my car's plastic panels below eye level?

Often scratched due to entering and exiting your car, these plastic panels are below eye level and are typically concealed. Because they are made from the same material as your plastic dashboard, they are the most ideal place to test your repair method.

What is the best way to remove deep scratches?

The “heat ‘n rub” is a popular choice for surface to moderately deep scratches. (Some have even used it for deep gouges, but let’s not get too crazy here. At worst, the “heat ‘n rub” will greatly reduce a deep gouge, but a filler is a much smarter choice if a full restoration is desired.) For this method, all you need is a hair dryer or heat gun.

Can you heat a plastic dashboard?

Most plastic dashboards have a textured surface that mimics leather. It is absolutely vital that you do not put your heat source too close to the surface you are working on. Prolonged exposure to high heat can cause more damage than good and melt your plastic.

What is a dashboard made of?

Most old cars and some new cars have dashboards made from vinyl over urethane foam. Over time in the sun, the vinyl gets brittle and the dash board gets cracks. Many newer dashboard don't have any foam at all. Instead, they are made from injection molded TPO or ABS. But, these dashboards can also get cracked or get holes from exposure to the sun.

How to prevent back and forth stretching?

A good way to prevent the back-and-forth stretching is to put your thumb on top of the sandpaper over the area that you need to sand. Then, pull the sandpaper while maintaining downward pressure with your thumb over the urethane. Step 6.

How to clean scratched dashboard on Jeep Wrangler?

Step 1: Using The Jeep Cleaner, Clean The Interior Meticulously. Being meticulous won’t hurt you or your jeep wrangler, but instead, that will ensure that the entire dashboard surface with the scratch and its nearby surroundings are thoroughly cleaned well. Make sure to use the microfiber cloth to wipe the surface.

What is the best material to clean car interiors?

Cleaning Cloth – this cloth should be made up of microfiber. Grit Sandpaper – should be fine to easily finish up the surfaces not totally cleaned and blend-in after which. Grain Pads – also called a textured automotive finishing, these pads should be for the interior.

How to fix a cracked dashboard?

If your dashboard is heavily cracked, then you need to take severe steps to repair it. Fill the cracks as much as you can with silicone caulk as you did in Step 1. An alternative to silicone would be a two-part epoxy solution or other industrial filler. This depends on the size of the crack.

How to seal a crack in a vinyl car dashboard?

Wipe it down thoroughly with a dashboard cleaning rag. In order for a crack to be properly sealed it needs to be level. Use a utility knife to trim away parts of vinyl that are peeling away from the dashboard or are curling.

Why is the dashboard of a car so bad?

The dashboard of a vehicle gets a lot more abuse than people realize. Dust and moisture rapidly accumulate on the dashboard. Whenever you run the heat or the air conditioner you are subjecting the dashboard to those temperature changes. The sun is the most damaging of all as it shines down constantly on the dashboard with its rays being magnified ...

How to fix a crack in a fiberglass door?

Smooth it out with a wet finger. If using epoxy or metal filler, then sand it down. Cover the top of the crack with fiberglass resin. This will create a very strong repair due to the interlocking fibers. Let the fiberglass resin cure completely and then apply bondo over the fiberglass.

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