[old91]

The Chevy dash in the late 80's -- they used to call them vinyl, but now just call them "padded." It seems like just a flexible ABS, but I'm not sure.

I have two issues, if someone could help.

1. I have a small split starting, maybe 1/4 - 3/8", and want to stop it now. I'm thinking about drilling a small hole at the end of the split, then fill/patch it. Would body filler work? Or, what is better and still paintable?

2. If it's plastic, what's the best base? Duplicolor (=Krylon=Sherwin Williams) has a flexible primer for flexible and semi-rigid plastic. Or, Bulldog adhesion promoter? Or, SEM Plastic Prep and Sand Free?

Thanks.

[willys36@aol.com]

I'm afraid you are going you have to replace the entire dash if you want a factory fresh look. Those dashes a really badly made. They have an unreinforced layer of vinyl on the outside that is not especially UV tolerant which is backed by some urethane foam that bonds to the vinyl and the sheet metal buck. the vinyl always hardens, shrinks and cracks in sunlight and is impossible to patch perfectly. If you poked around you would find that the dash is rock hard and will crack under medium pressure.

Options are,
- replace the dash with a factory unit - cost is the national debt.

- use a commercial patching kit. Works OK but looks like a patch. Eastwood sells them as do other mail order car stuff catalogs.
Dash repair kit.

- buy a 'dash cover' which is a rigid plastic vacuum formed facade that glues over the old dash. Cost is in between the two options above.
Dash covers

- give up and use a use a fabric type dash protector.
Dash Topper