Crack Filler for Dash Cracks? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mrdjsk · #1 06-30-2008, 09:47 AM

Has anyone here ever tried to fill in the cracks in their dash with the spackling-like product sold by some of the interior dye shops like Leatherique? (leatherique.com)

I'm wondering if the dash cracks people experience (common on cars like mine--a SoCal 83 300D--are purely from UV damage or if there's some element of stress cracking.

If it's the former, then I suspect a crack filler, if well done, could hold. If stress is a factor, then I suspect it'll just re-crack, though probably with less of a "gulf" in the crevice since it'll be filled in. Perhaps it's a combo of UV and stress cracking.

Thanks for any insight out there.

Jeremy5848 · #2 06-30-2008, 11:07 AM

I've not read here or elsewhere of anyone who has had success filling the cracks. Most of us cover the cracked dash with a mat or find an uncracked dash and swap.

Please try the crack-filler and report your experiences here. I and no doubt others would be interested. Take lots of pictures.

Jeremy
2 cracked dashes in 3 cars

mrdjsk · #3 06-30-2008, 11:46 AM

Okay, I'm game. I'll be the guinea pig. :-)

Jeremy5848 · #4 06-30-2008, 12:00 PM

To comment further, it's likely the cracks are a result of the evaporation over time of the plasticizer that keeps the material flexible. Loss of this plasticizer makes the material hard and brittle and probably causes it to shrink, hence the cracks. Exposure to sunlight exacerbates this effect, I'm sure.

It's interesting to observe that some colors appear to crack more than others. Blue is especially bad, for reasons that are still unknown.

Dee8go · #5 06-30-2008, 12:04 PM

Blue and red both absorb more UV than other colors for some reason. I would guess that's why those colors of paint fade more easily, dashes crack more, etc.

My SEC's dash is cracked. I was just planning to put a cap on it, but if there's a good way to fill the cracks and it looks good, I'd rather do that. We'll be waiting to hear how yours works out, Douglas.

mrdjsk · #6 06-30-2008, 04:39 PM

I'm going to make this my July 4th w/e project. Stay tuned for pix.

sixto · #7 06-30-2008, 04:50 PM

I just visited leatherique.com. I didn't see anything about fixing dash cracks. Do you have a specific link for info?

Thanks,
Sixto
87 300D

Jeremy5848 · #8 06-30-2008, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee8go

My SEC's dash is cracked. I was just planning to put a cap on it, but if there's a good way to fill the cracks and it looks good, I'd rather do that. We'll be waiting to hear how yours works out, Douglas.

FYI, Doug, I bought a plastic dash cap for my '87, was not impressed with the (lack of) fit and finish, sent it back and bought instead one of the fabric dash mats, which I like much more. My long term project is to find an uncracked dash (in blue, good luck!) and sub it for mine. I'll keep the mat on the new dash in hopes of retarding any future cracking. The fabric is nice anyway, it provides a non-slip surface for sunglasses, etc.

Jeremy

cuban8 · #9 06-30-2008, 08:23 PM

Don't feel too bad about the cracks. I've flown $100,000,000 airplanes that had cracks worse than my $1000 300SD.

The airlines and the military used to fill them with a black, shiny compound that dried real hard. Then they'd paint it with flat black paint to keep the glare down. Looked like hell, but worked fine.

Jeremy5848 · #10 06-30-2008, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuban8

Don't feel too bad about the cracks. I've flown $100,000,000 airplanes that had cracks worse than my $1000 300SD.

The airlines and the military used to fill them with a black, shiny compound that dried real hard. Then they'd paint it with flat black paint to keep the glare down. Looked like hell, but worked fine.

As long as the cracks aren't in the turbine blades!

cphilip · #11 06-30-2008, 08:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cuban8

Don't feel too bad about the cracks. I've flown $100,000,000 airplanes that had cracks worse than my $1000 300SD.

Pretty sure given just a little time I could come up with a $10,000,000 fix for that... if the Military is interested!

I have seen one of those Dash covers that really was put on nicely and almost couldn't tell. But it entailed removing the dash and proper prep and then a vacuum application to affix it into place while gluing. It had taken a lot of work to do it right. So... mine has a rug. Mine is Black. They crack pretty darn good too.

lutzTD · #12 06-30-2008, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

FYI, Doug, I bought a plastic dash cap for my '87, was not impressed with the (lack of) fit and finish, sent it back and bought instead one of the fabric dash mats, which I like much more. My long term project is to find an uncracked dash (in blue, good luck!) and sub it for mine. I'll keep the mat on the new dash in hopes of retarding any future cracking. The fabric is nice anyway, it provides a non-slip surface for sunglasses, etc.

Jeremy

i need blue too, but I found a black one with one small crack by the driver side vent. you can hardly see it. it looks like whoever owned the car took very good care to keep it treated. it is very soft and shiny. I bought the blue die and I have been practising on the underdash and seat hinge covers with the blue die. The first one I did was not so hot but I am getting better. I hope to paint the dash soon and finally get rid of my blue salt flats I have to cover to feel at all presentable.

mrdjsk · #13 07-01-2008, 12:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixto

I just visited leatherique.com. I didn't see anything about fixing dash cracks. Do you have a specific link for info?

Thanks,
Sixto
87 300D

The leatherique crack filler is a product they generally sell as a filler for cracks in seat coverings. It's basically like a spackling or a very wet putty. White in color, very wet, sand to dry. I've used it with decent results on leather seats.

I e-mailed the owner of leatherique and asked whether it was suitable for a dash and he said it was, but like anything, it has to be properly applied.

The thing I like about using their crack filler is that it's flexible. I figure it can stand up to the inevitable twisting and pressure from every direction that a dash must be subject to.

We shall see....

Jeremy5848 · #14 07-01-2008, 12:48 AM

Interesting! I wonder how much the cracks would disappear if you then painted the whole dash.

Cr from Texas · #15 07-01-2008, 01:52 AM

My blue dash cracked several years ago. At that time I searched out and applied a filler. Took a lot of time to do it right and it only looked fair. Within a year, the filler cracked. I'm happy with the plastic glue on cover. Most people can not tell it is a cover.