Thread: Restoration a dashboard Impala '73

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Hello everyone

I have a dashboard that is quite worn, ie lots of cracks and so on. I think that give it an overhaul here at Easter.


However, I need some input / inspiration, here is just how I would go about it:

Sanding it down and remove loose thing.

Filling large cracks with PU foam

Give the entire dashboard one or two times fiberglass putty.
Short or long hair fiberglass?

Drill"speakers holes"
Something like this: https://www.flickr.com/photos/mag3737/3738375854
Considering also that the cutting out and mount a plain. speaker grill, seemed, however, it destroys the design slightly. ???

Give the entire dashboard once spray filler

Final treatment:
I would like to give it some motip hammerfinish.

Let me hear your thoughts about this?
I know you can purchase some dash pad cover etc. but i like to have my original

Fix your image files

I don't know what motip hammerfinish is.

I just recovered mine using vinyl cloth. Although it came out pretty nice, it certainly isn't factory perfect.

I used the spray foam brand name Great Stuff for filling the cracks, but if I did it over I would probably try silicone.

The skim coat of fiberglass putty would probably do well towards stabilizing the repairs. Long fiber is what I would try.

You can also ship your dash off to receive a factory perfect reconditioning.

As for adding a speaker: if you are planning a non-original finish then consider using a grill, as it would be easier.

Also- I've seen videos of dash restorations in- vehicle, but I would pull the dash and do it on a workbench.

Thanks alot for the quick reply!
Motip Hammerfinish, is basically the same as SEM Texture Coating

I have also considering the vinyl solution, but don't think it will came out nicely.
Would fiberglass putty be fine as a final layer (with paint of course)? Or will it crack through the years?

And i will definitely take the hole dashboard out of the car when restoring it
I know justdashes.com and so on, but want to this part myself

Originally Posted by astroracer

Fix your image files

Better?