Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Tech Help

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11-21-2005, 11:35 AM
KDHBenz's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 89
Start of Crack on Dash

I had originally posted this in the detailing forum, but it doesn't seem to get much action, so I've reposted it herein. Any advice is appreciated...

Does anyone know of a good, reliable, and perhaps somewhat discrete means of stopping a crack in the dash before it gets too far along? Starting at the back right corner of my left front speaker grille I have a crack in the dash that is currently less than an inch long. I have seen various "dash repair" products around. Are some better than others?

Thanks,
-Ken
1984 300SD

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 11-21-2005, 02:38 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Rockville MD
Posts: 833
I've heard of drilling a small hole at the end of the crack. This supposedly gives it a radius and prevents it from going further. I haven't tried it myself. But really there is not much you can do except to park in the shade to slow down any further damage.
__________________
1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 11-21-2005, 08:48 PM
t walgamuth's Avatar
dieselarchitect
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Lafayette Indiana
Posts: 38,611
drilling

a hole works for metal. i would think the dash cover would laugh at it. don't actually know though.

tom w
__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 11-22-2005, 08:53 AM
blueeagle289's Avatar
Blue Eagle
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 457
Wink Dash crack

I would use epoxy, smoothing it out --- and then painting it the proper dash color ... you can buy paints to match. Just one thought. One of the patching kits may work, but they still need a solid base to apply the top patching in that case -- depending on the open area that may exist under the crack, etc.etc. BC
__________________
Ben Harrison Carter
1999 Mercedes ML320 87K
1992 Mercedes 300CE 89K
1995 Corvette 29K -- Sold Dec 09
1989 Mercedes 420SEL 99K -- (Sold 4/08)
1968 Mercedes 230S (106K) (Sold 9/06))
1976 Mercedes 450SEL 130K (Just sold - 06)
1961 Mercedes 220Sb (sold years ago)
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11-22-2005, 09:33 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 24
Instead of drilling a hole... maybe heat a pin and make a hole with that, the heat will make a hole and should also push some plastic into a lip around the hole..strengthening it?

Anil
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 11-22-2005, 09:41 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Rockville MD
Posts: 833
Quote:
Originally Posted by blueeagle289
I would use epoxy, smoothing it out --- and then painting it the proper dash color ... you can buy paints to match. Just one thought. One of the patching kits may work, but they still need a solid base to apply the top patching in that case -- depending on the open area that may exist under the crack, etc.etc. BC
Judging from my experience with drywall work, the repair might look worse than the crack itself!
__________________
1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 11-22-2005, 10:40 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Massachusetts
Posts: 133
I believe a small, nicely drilled hole may work in plastic as I have seen Airframe and Powerplant mechanics often do this to small cracks in the very lightweight plastic panels and trim in light aircraft. Call your local airport and ask the mechanic perhaps...?
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 11-22-2005, 12:09 PM
tvpierce's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Portland, ME
Posts: 612
I don't know about the repair, but if you don't already have one, get yourself a windshield sun shade -- and use it religiously!

The sun is public enemy #1 when it comes to cars. I always laugh when I see people who cover their cars when it rains, but leave them unprotected from the sun.

jp
__________________
Jeff Pierce

Current Vehicles:
'92 Mercedes 190E/2.3 (247K miles/my daily driver)
'93 Volvo 940 Turbo Wagon (263K miles/a family truckster with spunk)
'99 Kawasaki Concours
Gravely 8120
Previous Vehicles:
'85 Jeep CJ-7 w/ Fisher plow (226K miles)'93 Volvo 940 Turbo Wagon
'53 Willys-Overland Pickup
'85 Honda 750F Interceptor
'93 Nissan Quest
'89 Toyota Camry Wagon
'89 Dodge Raider
'81 Honda CB 750F Super Sport
'88 Toyota Celica
'95 Toyota Tacoma
'74 Honda CB 550F
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 11-22-2005, 12:57 PM
Hatterasguy's Avatar
Zero
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Milford, CT
Posts: 19,318
Buy a windsheild sun shade and use it everytime you park your car in the sun. Also keep the dash covered in 303.

Doing those two things will buy you a lot of time.
__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 11-22-2005, 03:22 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: NJ
Posts: 1,182
I am a veteran of the Volvo dash crack prevention repair war of 1994 to 2000. A crack will get wider w/ time so a small hole at the end will just tear. A 1/4 in hole is needed to stop the crack. Dash filler material sold in stores are only good for the top 1/8 inch and grain matching.
Drill the end(s) with 1/4 bit.
Get a dentist pick (next time you are in your dentist's torture chair ask the assistant what they do w/ old ones then steal one for your pains) and pick out the rotted dried sponge like material 1/3 inch or deeper below the crack.

The portion under the dash skin along the crack must get clean.

Fill crack w/ flexible filler (Goop works well but anything that dries flexible works). When the filler dries it will shrink.

Get a piece of vinyl (mbtex, cheap shoes, wallets..fake leather) and cut 1/2 inch longer than crack by 1/2 inch.

Without making crack bigger fit this piece under dash skin in crack (5 or 6 tears later you will become a pro).

Using the dentist pick apply flexible adhesive between dash (under the crack) and vinyl strip.

Let dry.

Use dentist pick to pick off any glue or junk that remains above dash surface at crack.

Fill crack with dash repair paste and iron on corresponding pattern.

Enjoy the perfectly repaired crack and then start repairs on all the collateral damage caused by repair.

You will also know which picks to heist at your next dental visit.
__________________
82 300D....went to MB heaven
90 350 SDL....excercising con rods
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 11-22-2005, 03:36 PM
blueeagle289's Avatar
Blue Eagle
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 457
Wink Expert Crack Repair

That is a very nice summary of the steps to do a really professional job!!

The kind of thing we always need in the Forum ...... Ben Carter
__________________
Ben Harrison Carter
1999 Mercedes ML320 87K
1992 Mercedes 300CE 89K
1995 Corvette 29K -- Sold Dec 09
1989 Mercedes 420SEL 99K -- (Sold 4/08)
1968 Mercedes 230S (106K) (Sold 9/06))
1976 Mercedes 450SEL 130K (Just sold - 06)
1961 Mercedes 220Sb (sold years ago)
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 11-23-2005, 12:56 AM
86560SEL's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: east Tennessee (southeast USA)
Posts: 3,015
Hatterasguy- where can you buy this "303" protectant? I have heard of it before, but have never seen it anywhere. I have a 1973 Pontiac that has a PERFECT dash pad, (it has been garaged since day 1) except for a extremely small crack that it has had for over a year, but has not spread. I keep it out of the sun, so that is obviously helping, but think this stuff will help even further. I also have a 1969 Caprice that still has a perfect dash pad and think this stuff will also be good for it.

Thanks in advance.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hatterasguy
Buy a windsheild sun shade and use it everytime you park your car in the sun. Also keep the dash covered in 303.

Doing those two things will buy you a lot of time.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 11-23-2005, 04:07 AM
haasman's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: San Francisco, CA
Posts: 3,097
Preventative tips-

Don't use Armorall. It seems it attracts dirt which works into the pores of the dash and aggravates the problem. Use 303 or other UV protectant regularly.

Keep dash clean: use a cloth dampened with water on the dash when not hot from sun.

Don't use Baby Wipes. Women love this one. It has alcohol which speeds up the dash drying and hardening.

Feed the dash. Use a product that keeps the plastic from hardening in the first place. Mercedes parts department has such a product.

Never ever apply anything to the dash when it is hot.

Watch out for car washes applying "interior dressings".

Haasman
__________________
'03 E320 Wagon-Sold
'95 E320 Wagon-Went to Ex
'93 190E 2.6-Wrecked
'91 300E-Went to Ex
'65 911 Coupe (#302580)
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 11-23-2005, 06:39 AM
blueeagle289's Avatar
Blue Eagle
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 457
Wink 303 Protectant

As is my normal habit, I entered the term "303 Protectorant" into Google and it found hundreds of hits! However, it seems that the actual name of this product is "303 Protectant" and it is used by outfitters who provide vinyl boat trips down the river, car buffs, airplane owners, etc. etc. If you enter
"303 Protectant" into Google and search, you can find the product all over the place -- including your local Auto Parts Store. It is actually fairly inexpensive, with small sizes from $3 to $8 ........ I am going to get some myself .. Ben Carter
__________________
Ben Harrison Carter
1999 Mercedes ML320 87K
1992 Mercedes 300CE 89K
1995 Corvette 29K -- Sold Dec 09
1989 Mercedes 420SEL 99K -- (Sold 4/08)
1968 Mercedes 230S (106K) (Sold 9/06))
1976 Mercedes 450SEL 130K (Just sold - 06)
1961 Mercedes 220Sb (sold years ago)
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 11-23-2005, 11:22 AM
MTI's Avatar
MTI MTI is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Scottsdale, Arizona
Posts: 10,626
Mercedes dash crack are the result of a combination of the thin vinyl skin becoming brittle from "outgassing" which the 303 can help with. The other component is the expansion and contraction of the aluminim shell that the dash is made of. Thermal changes, especially big temp swings, will cause cracks in the weakest parts of the dash quicker.

Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 04:13 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page