Was wondering can i use something to make sure it doesn't get worse & something that wont be noticeable??
Dashboard crack starting
Moderator: martauto
My interior is very clean on my touring, but i noticed this little crack which i missed when i viewed the car.
Was wondering can i use something to make sure it doesn't get worse & something that wont be noticeable??
Was wondering can i use something to make sure it doesn't get worse & something that wont be noticeable??
-
daimlerman
- **BANNED**
- Posts: 15968
- Joined: Mon Feb 27, 2006 11:00 pm
- Location: Grumpy Old Man
Very,very difficult to obtain a seamless repair.
I have had some success,however,using Evostick applied with a matchstick,then painting to match.
I have had some success,however,using Evostick applied with a matchstick,then painting to match.
Youth is wasted on the young.
-
march109
- Engaged to the E30 Zone
- Posts: 6632
- Joined: Sun Aug 20, 2006 11:00 pm
- Location: Bournemouth
- Contact:
Before I would fill it (though I've never tried the method above) i would drill a 2mm hole at either end of the crack which will spread the stress and load placed upon the crack which would normally make it larger.
325i Tech 1 Touring, breaking.
2.5 high comp. M20, 3.64 LSD, Fully undersealed, Spax springs & Bilstein shocks, s/s exhaust, Alpina rep wheels and more.
2.5 high comp. M20, 3.64 LSD, Fully undersealed, Spax springs & Bilstein shocks, s/s exhaust, Alpina rep wheels and more.
Good idea to drill small hole at each end as march109 has said.
That is a thin crack but if you have wider cracks try the following:
In SA we get a Pratley product called "Wonda Fix" which is a flexable epoxy mix that comes in clear or black...if you can find it obviously get the black.
Now the trick is to try and get the "wrinkeled grain" pattern on the surface to match the rest of the dash as apposed to a smooth finish.
First trim the edges of the crack with a blade if they are protruding above the dash surface. Now take some flexible material such as Plastercine or "Presstick" which is a white gum-type substance that you use to stick notices onto a wall.
On a nearby section of the dash that is still in good shape..smear a thin layer of Vaseline on it (or Q40) and press a section of this Presstick over it so that the Presstick picks up the pattern from the dash.
Mix the black epoxy together and level it nicely with the dash....now spray a fine amount of Q40 on the patterned section of your Presstick piece and press it over the crack with the wet epoxy in it making sure you maintain the direction of the "grain" that the Presstick has.
An Hour later pull off the Presstick and hopefully you have reasonable patched area with a grain on it to match the rest of the dash!
That is a thin crack but if you have wider cracks try the following:
In SA we get a Pratley product called "Wonda Fix" which is a flexable epoxy mix that comes in clear or black...if you can find it obviously get the black.
Now the trick is to try and get the "wrinkeled grain" pattern on the surface to match the rest of the dash as apposed to a smooth finish.
First trim the edges of the crack with a blade if they are protruding above the dash surface. Now take some flexible material such as Plastercine or "Presstick" which is a white gum-type substance that you use to stick notices onto a wall.
On a nearby section of the dash that is still in good shape..smear a thin layer of Vaseline on it (or Q40) and press a section of this Presstick over it so that the Presstick picks up the pattern from the dash.
Mix the black epoxy together and level it nicely with the dash....now spray a fine amount of Q40 on the patterned section of your Presstick piece and press it over the crack with the wet epoxy in it making sure you maintain the direction of the "grain" that the Presstick has.
An Hour later pull off the Presstick and hopefully you have reasonable patched area with a grain on it to match the rest of the dash!
-
march109
- Engaged to the E30 Zone
- Posts: 6632
- Joined: Sun Aug 20, 2006 11:00 pm
- Location: Bournemouth
- Contact:
Great write up, but I can't take credit for my tip its an ancient BrianMooooreism.Billwill wrote:Good idea to drill small hole at each end as march109 has said.
325i Tech 1 Touring, breaking.
2.5 high comp. M20, 3.64 LSD, Fully undersealed, Spax springs & Bilstein shocks, s/s exhaust, Alpina rep wheels and more.
2.5 high comp. M20, 3.64 LSD, Fully undersealed, Spax springs & Bilstein shocks, s/s exhaust, Alpina rep wheels and more.
-
hillbilly30
- E30 Zone Regular
- Posts: 419
- Joined: Sat Sep 26, 2009 11:00 pm
- Location: Norfolk boy
Bloody shame these dash cracks! When I last had e30's about 7 years ago I don't think I'd ever seen a cracked dash, now lots are.
If you have an uncracked dash is there any way of preventing it in the future??
If you have an uncracked dash is there any way of preventing it in the future??
-
daimlerman
- **BANNED**
- Posts: 15968
- Joined: Mon Feb 27, 2006 11:00 pm
- Location: Grumpy Old Man
Looks a little like 'er indoors on a good day...magpie wrote:i'm happy with my temp fix........
meet Ulrich
Good
to drill a tiny hole at each end of the crack,as the OP's was so tiny I did not feel that it was justified!My main problem was finding/mixing paint to give a decent match...
At the end of the day,sourcing and fitting an unmarked dash is the best answer.
Good idea with the drilling and pressing the pattern out...
As to stop or curtail the cracks Saab 900's have the same problem and mine has cracked, fortunately got a spare uncracked one to replace it but the bods on the Saab forums suggest a anti-uv protectant similar to this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303-Aerospace ... 1245956572
As to stop or curtail the cracks Saab 900's have the same problem and mine has cracked, fortunately got a spare uncracked one to replace it but the bods on the Saab forums suggest a anti-uv protectant similar to this:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/303-Aerospace ... 1245956572
are there any sort of treatments (bar the usual car care products) ie a chemical/oil of some sort to feed them a little and prevent and rejuvinate/supple them up at all ?
what would be great is if someone designed and made a really smart e30 shaped dash sun cover sheet type thing made to perfect shape
what would be great is if someone designed and made a really smart e30 shaped dash sun cover sheet type thing made to perfect shape
-
Brian28
- E30 Zone Squatter
- Posts: 1596
- Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2005 11:00 pm
- Location: Bournemouth
- Contact:
On Australian ebaypolsta wrote:
what would be great is if someone designed and made a really smart e30 shaped dash sun cover sheet type thing made to perfect shape
For sale - E30 320i racer project - sold.
that is what i use, its the best e30 interior cleaning product ive found, tried many , use it on the dash, console, seat backs, door card vinyl, external rubber trimm (brings up screen rubber great)moggie wrote:i was told to use autoglym vinyl and rubber care by a classic car trader its supposed to keep it supple and it smells nice too and gives a nice shine
excellent stuff, brings up a slight shine at 1st, but after a couple of days it dulls, and lasts looking good for a long time