Plastic Dash Repair - WWYD?

WreckITFrank

Technical Excellence Contributor
Fixing my bulkhead so i tore out the dash. My unobtainium grey panel has some cracks around the fastener holes. Not sure that it's ABS so didn't want to get out the acetone and make a slurry, as i really only get one chance at it. Was thinking about epoxying an abs plastic strip along the bottom to strengthen it up, then just drilling holes through that strip, hopefully making it unnoticeable from the front. Anyone do any repairs on theirs? Thanks.

8968

8969
 

BarryO

Well-known member
If that's ABS I don't think most epoxies will stick very well.

I tried to glue on some ABS reinforcing strips on some cracks on the inside of the center console on my 97 NAS. They kept popping off, until I tried ABS plumbing pipe adhesive (duh) from Home Depot.
 

Angus

Well-known member
There is special adhesives for repairing plastic bumpers that would work great on this. Most places that sell autobody supplies will have it. Usually you glue a backing on it to reinforce the break and keep the mess on the side you don't see. We can discuss this week end.
 

rocky

NAS-ROW Addict
Are there any marine repair places around you with experience using fiber glass and strengthen the back of that?
 

WreckITFrank

Technical Excellence Contributor
Are there any marine repair places around you with experience using fiber glass and strengthen the back of that?

I've done quite a bit of that when doing speaker enclosures (many moons ago) but was trying to avoid the tiger hair/glass scenario, but certainly a good option. I figured with current stuff I could do it less messy. No stampings to confirm ABS, or could easily mend it chemically. Always the 5200 option that UD suggested for other projects.
 

Uncle Douglas

Well-known member
Callsign: delete
5200 is a one and done product, thicker doesn't make it better.
Recently fixed broken front plastics on a 400 Yamaha Big Bear. glued mesh to the back side for strngth. Turned out awesome
 

Dan kemper

Founding Member
Callsign: KK6ECF
Been there done that. West marine g flex marine epoxy, sand finished side, leave bulky on bottom side, re enforce if you want, SEM plastic spray and it will look brand new. You can even use their texture spray if you want to get fancy. G flex is ridiculously strong and flexible. Takes 24 hours to cure
 

WreckITFrank

Technical Excellence Contributor
That’s pretty awesome.

Isn’t it time we figure out a way to get pieces like this 3D printed?

tough when it's this big. I have a large printable surface 3D printer that can print 15 x15 x 15 (big for home user), but still not big enough without stitching things together. Harder part is getting this stuff in printable format, for me at least. I am ok at CAD programs but only enough to get by.

I'd rather see this cut out of alu on a water tablet then both top and bottom bent up to match. I remember back on another forum/thread where someone was close to doing that, but never made it to production.
 

Whalestep

Member
Similar issues but thinkin about using a similar method as those wood top in the sale forum. Then replace most of the rest of it with a mix of wood and stainless or maybe something softer as I feel hitting those during an accident may be a little to hard.
 

Z.G

Well-known member
They may still intend to make it, but another supplier has stepped up and has sent us a prototype. It looks great. Hoping to bring these to market in the next month or two. Corona has screwed with the supply chain
 

acheck

Well-known member
Similar issues but thinkin about using a similar method as those wood top in the sale forum. Then replace most of the rest of it with a mix of wood and stainless or maybe something softer as I feel hitting those during an accident may be a little to hard.

ug those wood dash tops are ...... :censored:
 
  • Wow
Reactions: Z.G

Whalestep

Member
They are awesome looking. Biggest leap will be picking a wood type. Lots of options for fresh cut up here in the northeast. Currently an abundance of black walnut options which are temping but I'll likely go oak or maple (spalted if i come across some)
 
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