Here are some links that uses flexible filler, truck bed coating, and vinyl paint. Not sure if you can match the MB original grain texture by doing this method.

http://gtam.silvahalo.com/dashrepair/

http://gtam.silvahalo.com/dashrepair/index_original.html

Link to discussion on this topic on the Alfa forum.
http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/car-restoration/15792-great-dash-repair-under-30-00-a.html

__________________
1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

What I used on my former W126 (and I will soon apply to my W210) is:

"Counter Mate (the brand) Perimeter Caulking For Laminate Surfaces" The color is "Ebony Star" which is basically black. It was super easy to work with and the color matches ...I dare say, perfectly.

I just got some black silicone filler thatI am going to try on the SDL it has two 1 inch long cracks by the speakers that I do not want to get out of hand.

The blue dashboard on the BMW looks like a tiger was sharpening its claws on it. Bavarian Auto sells a decent cap for $99 that I will eventually get and put on it.

__________________
"I have no convictions ... I blow with the wind, and the prevailing wind happens to be from Vichy"

Current
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'74 Jeep CJ5
'97 Jeep ZJ Laredo
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Bruno '81 300SD
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'92 Subaru
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I guess that's great if you have a black dashboard. What if you have a blue one? I wonder if you can fill it up with something like white silicone and then put some type of colorant on top on that?

Anybody know?

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

Repair cracked dash thread links
Repair cracked dash thread links

Thanks for the links, Bill.

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

A recent issue of "Mercedes Classic" published in Europe by MB had a restoration article about a German shop that restores cracked dashes. They used a filler, grain stamp and spray dye . . . and it was costly.

Costly? Imagine that!

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

The 01 2008 issue of Mercedes-Benz Classic.

The work was done by Autoblitz-Mayer at estimated costs of 300-350 Euros (perhaps "per crack").

The article generally describes a familiar method, but with interesting comments. The most interesting is that the shop feels that any dash that has been subjected to cleaners or protectants that loaded the surface with silicone, then the dash is pretty much out as a repair candidate. The silicone prevents adhesion of the filler and paint they use.

Step 1) Use a V-shaped grinder to widen the crack,which relieves tension in the surface.

Step 2) Clean the surrounding surface with liquid cleaners.

Step 3) A special 2-part mastic is injected into the crack in several passes. The marterial they use remains elastic after curing.

Step 4) After 15 min. the mastic can be sanded smooth with 1000 grade paper

Step 5) A two part lacquer spray coat is applied. The lacquer reproduces the "grain" pattern of the vinyl.

Step 6) The area is spray painted with a color matched cover coat.

The article recommends "the American style" dashboard carpet cover to help prevent future cracking.

I started this thread on the 107 forum:

Fun With Dashboards

1. I think it's possible to fill dash cracks and impress a grain upon it - I used a two-component flexible bumper filler and if I would have spent more time on it and could have gotten between the glass and instrument panel hump (very little room in a 107) I could have gotten it darned good. It would take practice and talent, though.

2. With the 107 dash (which may be different than others), it is possible to get a very good fit that is very difficult to detect without close examination, but following the directions and some really creative clamping is required. Taking the windshield out (may be a good time to replace it) would be a good option if you can do this.

__________________
86 560SL
With homebrew first gear start!
85 380SL
Daily Driver Project

http://juliepalooza.8m.com/sl/mercedes.htm

Strife, what was the brand name of the bumper filler you used?

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

It was mar-hyde, I got it at a body shop supply store a long time ago, a two-part compound designed for fixing flexible bumpers.

__________________
86 560SL
With homebrew first gear start!
85 380SL
Daily Driver Project

http://juliepalooza.8m.com/sl/mercedes.htm

Thanks!

__________________
" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles