What should I do about dashboard cracks???
 

ShopForum has never failed to help me so much, so here's my big question regarding my '83 300TD.

My dashboard is blue, and naturally has cracks, two of them, that look hideous. I have been using a cheap dashmat which seems fine enough, but I have been thinking of getting a dashboard cap.

Which is the best dashboard cap for the Mercedes? My car has the climate control sensor and is, as mentioned earlier, blue. What's the good vendor for it? Do you have to dye or paint it blue to make a near perfect match and if so which paint?

I am not against spending a couple hundred bucks on this project, cause it seems worth it to me. I just want to do it as right as possible, and the only way to accomplish this is by consulting experience.

Thanks for any help!!!!

--CD

Dash or Tide ?
 

Yeah those covers come in black and blue. They cost about $150 or less plus oversize shipping.

I have a blue one without the sensor hole. However, I don't feel like putting it up 4 sale cuz I might find use for it later......dunno.too lazy to deal with it also.

So try the parts outfits folks recommend on this forum.

good luck.

Best solution is to find an intact dash at a junker or from a forum member. Search the archives. Some DIYs say it aint so bad swapping out.
A black dash may look good in your car anywho. :)

Cracks
 

I have a guy that can fill the cracks and it looks pretty darn good. I do not like the look of the plastic cover. You can see the cover from a mile away, it does not look original. But it does look better than the cracks.

Coverlay makes a good dash cap - not familiar with others CLICK
The caps come in 9 colors specific to MB. If you take your time and fit the dash cap it will only be noticed by the descriminating eye.

Unless the prices have changed since last Friday a 126 cap will run $122 with postage.

be thankful that you worry about that rather something more serious. I've resigned myself to my dashboard cracks, and that they will be there for many years :)

change dash
 

I must agree with the earlier post. From time to time you'll find a Northern car that's being parted out on Ebay. I sold a black one from my '80 240D with one tiny 1/4" crack for $50 plus shipping($20) some years ago. They are not hard to swap out at all if you're somewhat mechanically inclined, Paul.

I HAVE a perfect looking, uncracked dash in my parts car. "All" it would cost me is time, but on the list of my priorities, it's not even on page 1.

the cracks bug everyone else but they don't bug me all that much
is there a source for a dash cover that's not carpeted? All I'd like is something that lays over it like a nicely fitting vinyl cover or something like that
I hate the carpet covers

How about preventative crack repair? My dash is pristine except for one small crack starting to form near the right-side speaker grille. Is there a good way to glue that crack so it won't grow?

The cover lay is a "look alike" plastic cover that lays on top of the dash. I have one and think it is miles ahead of having the cracks show. I have never seen a blue dash in an early 80's Mercedes without cracks....black ones yes...blue ones no. :)

Start using 303 about once a week and keep it out of a sun.

Tints are a great idea.

Also, get into the habit of putting up a windshield screen when you park. Custom made ones are about $30, or generic ones that fit "well enough" are $3

I have a cracked dash also I saw a guy with an real leather dash cover (black) on his SD at a gas station (looks fantastic) I ask him about, he told me it's custom made so I will try to have one made I bought on as template (the regular velour dash cover) if somebody wants to see the final product (hope it will look like the guy had) I will post some pictures when it's ready.

I have a cracked dash also on the SD I saw a guy on a 300 SD with a real soft black leather dash cover (black) on his SD at a gas station (looks fantastic) I ask him about it, he told me it's custom made so I will try to have one made I bought one as template (the regular velour dash cover) if somebody wants to see the final product (hope it will look like the one this guy had) just let me know and I will post some pictures when it's ready.

I am considering the options
 

Thanks for all the replies. I am considering the options and thinking about the coverlay dashcover, but worry about the fit, margins and color match cause I have heard they don't match the blue color so well.

Anyway, I want to consider the possibility of replacing the dashboard myself with a replacement from a donor car. I am crazy to think there is an uncracked BLUE dashboard out there on a donor car that someone is willing to part with for a w123 (mine is a 1983 300TD)???

I am committed to undertaking some project for this car to make it look as good as possible. Replacing the dash is something I might be willing to invest in, if one is available out there. I really like the car and have sunk $$$$ (read much much more than the value of the car) out of love for it. It's maintained well, but being that it lived in Las Vegas and Los Angeles the first 20 years of life it has the cracks of the BLUE dashboard!.

Can a black dashboard possibly be painted blue and look like a match?

I'm fishing for solutions....