'fix' cracked dash or cover with dashcover? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 05-20-2007, 02:23 PM

mine is cracked to hell. I was thinking to sand the cracks flat, fill them and then paint the whole thing. but one of those carpet-like covers would maybe be a better idea? where to get those?

ImBroke · #2 05-20-2007, 02:38 PM

I was going to rip off my plastic cover and try to fill the cracks with fiberglass. Do the whole dash with a thin coat, and sand. Not sure how it'll work, but it's worth a try. My dash is crap. Not sure when I will have the time for such a project, probably more later than sooner.

Jim B. · #3 05-20-2007, 02:57 PM

Some dash cap discussion here:

Does anyone have a dash cap on their W123?

What about thse $10-$20 carpeted dash overlays you always see for sale at the Flea Markets? My brother got one for his old '82 Datsun 280ZX and he's had it on the car for years. They are a good interim or cheap solution, I would think.

#4 05-20-2007, 03:04 PM

a cloth cover may even look better than a coverlay... where to get those?

winmutt · #5 05-20-2007, 03:51 PM

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-used-parts-sale-wanted/188804-fs-w123-dash-cover-%2420-shipped.html#post1511276

For sale in parts $20 shipped.

#6 05-20-2007, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winmutt

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=1511276

For sale in parts $20 shipped.

mine is a 126...

rbardolv · #7 05-20-2007, 10:00 PM

Well I will be fillin cracks , painting and then covering mine.. I will post some pics when I am at it in a week or two... I got the goods from colorplus.com.. Doing my seats at same time..

Cheers!

1983/300CD · #8 05-21-2007, 08:18 AM

The coverlay will not be identical to your old dash. It will be a slightly more reflective texture, and the grain might be a bit larger. But not off by much. If it doesn't look good, then you didn't do it right. Invest the effort in a proper installation (glue, clamps, and weights), and it will not be obvious. It will look much, much better than a cracked original dash. It will also look much better than a velour mat.

I can show you pictures of a really good looking installation if you like. It is imperceptible to the casual observer. Honestly.

hitwtom · #9 05-21-2007, 08:29 AM

I got tired of looking at the orange colored cracks in my dash (dis colored foam) so I filled them with plain old Elmers glue, then used a magic marker to color over the glue. Not 100% but better than what it was. One of the dash covers (about $89 ) is the next step.

babymog · #10 05-21-2007, 09:59 AM

I can't stand the dash covers. They warp unless full-spread glue is used, they are too glossy and reflect in the windshield, don't look right around the speakers, and generaly IMO look cheap.

They look much better than a cracked dash however.

F18 · #11 05-21-2007, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hitwtom

I got tired of looking at the orange colored cracks in my dash (dis colored foam) so I filled them with plain old Elmers glue, then used a magic marker to color over the glue. Not 100% but better than what it was. One of the dash covers (about $89 ) is the next step.

I had an old 944 Porsche with Black interior. Dash just cracked with the heat and age. Nothing really worked well except Black Silicone Caulk to fill the cracks......Silicone was flexible enough to keep the cracks filled even as the dash material expanded and contracted with the solar heat. "Stand Off".. it did not look to bad either for a cheap fix!

79300sdtd · #12 05-21-2007, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F18

I had an old 944 Porsche with Black interior. Dash just cracked with the heat and age. Nothing really worked well except Black Silicone Caulk to fill the cracks......Silicone was flexible enough to keep the cracks filled even as the dash material expanded and contracted with the solar heat. "Stand Off".. it did not look to bad either for a cheap fix!

that is what i am going to do with mine and was going to be my suggestion.

Stevo · #13 05-21-2007, 04:55 PM

IMO, I dont believe you could come up with a "repair" job that will look anywhere near as good as a properly installed "Coverley" dash cover, but I payed about $140

for the last one I bought so thats a consideration.

My 85 had a trashed black dash so I swapped in a near perfect one from a parts car, good blue ones are near impossible to find.