Cracks on dash repair? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 06-20-2003, 12:58 PM

Hi to you all

Im sure that some of you have this problem as it is caused by cheap materials used in 84-87 MB in order to compete with japaneese luxury cars. But here is the deal, i bought my car with 2 tiny cracks going down the middle of the dashboard and one aligned with the speaker grill. Look on picture for better idea of what im talking about. I have tried putting black silicone in the little gap but it just doesnt stay as a sealent between the crack because it is flexible. (ie in winter gaps widen in summer they shrink)
Anyways is there any of you MB-pros out there who might think of a cheapy fix for this. Im guessing all i need is some plastic/rubbery black glue that will be just as hard as the dashboard itself to do this but eh.. any ideas??

Checkout my newest mods as well
-Clear foglites
-Clear corners (from austria)
-DTM exaust (removing resonator soon)
-K&N inside the filter assembly
-I forgot to shoot a pic of my sound system (1200w bass only)

#2 06-20-2003, 01:02 PM

Here is the rear

#3 06-20-2003, 01:04 PM

and the front...

gsamuelson · #4 06-20-2003, 01:16 PM

I picked up some vinyl repair stuff but I don't think it is good enough for the dash. About the only thing you can do is buy a vinyl cover ($100.00 USD). I bought a cover for my 300CD but was not entirely thrilled with it. The causual observer won't notice it but I do.

CarolinaMBZ · #5 06-20-2003, 01:24 PM

I don't think the dash cracks are a result of any material defect or cheapness during any particular year. Cars left outside in the sun get cracked dashes. Especially when not treated regularly. Many people mistakenly think Mercedes dashes crack more easily than other cars, when the exact opposite is true. Most other cars simply die before they are old enough to get dash cracks so no one ever sees them with cracked dashes. Generally the only 20+ year old cars on the road in any large number are Volvos and Mercedes along with the occasional 'Merican truck and low compession japanese econo-sedans. Most of these, unless garaged, will have cracks.

On a practical note, replacement with a pristine used dash is not that bad. I have had it done on a W124 (Blue ones tend to crack the earliest).

Just something to think about.

#6 06-20-2003, 01:33 PM

Autozone and other McParts places sell a vinyl repair kit for cracked dashes. It works a little better than silicone, but it is labor intensive.

Probably the best bet is a dash cap or a whole new dash.

jobah · #7 06-20-2003, 01:37 PM

I purchased a new dash back in 1993 for my 84. My dad purchased it in Berlin in 1993 for $100.00.

Ten years later, it is still in good condition, but I do maintain it (formula 404) or vynlex and I try to keep it in the garage or shade when possible.

It is my understanding that the blue dashes, due to materials, tended to crack more often.

The new dash is the way to go!

Brad123D · #8 06-20-2003, 04:07 PM

I like the custom molded carpet/velour dash covers available by special order at Auto Zone etc. They cover the cracks and prevent new ones. Or you can make your own...use auto carpet and hot glue gun to attach carpet to itself for compound curves etc. to get a nice fit ...it's fun !

#9 06-20-2003, 04:42 PM

DISCLAIMER: JUST BECAUSE THIS WORKED FOR ME AND MY PARTICULAR DASH, DOESN'T MEAN YOU SHOULDN'T TEST A SMALL AREA FIRST.

oops--anyway. I posted here a while back about fixing a 1/2 cm 'split' in my dash. I never got any responses I was willing to try.

Pergo flooring makes a kit for professional floor mechanics to repair their wood and ceramic look-a-like products. It is a wax-like substrate mixed with vinyl (best guess). It has about 50 color dyes included in the kit. You heat the substrate with a soldering iron and mix it with different colors to match the floor perfectly. As the stuff cools, it shrinks inward. I put this stuff into the hole in my dash, and it drew the slit together so tight, I just wiped the excess off with a cloth and a you can't tell where the hole was. It worked perfectly for me, but I could see where it wouldn't say on my Jeep, which has sort of a hrder plastic material for a dash. It is formulated not to leave a miniscus (center lower than the sides) so there won't be a dent in the floor where the hole was---this is why I thought it would work.