Dash repair

[Matt68]

So, the azz ole's at the "restoration" shop my Cuda is at damaged my mint condition original 3 speaker non a/c dash I bought 9 yrs ago out of California. I thought it would be the perfect time to install it and take out my original, highly cracked dash pad. Well, these bozo's damaged it and tried to repair it but the damage was obvious. Of course, they deny everything and claim it was like that when they took off the cover I brought it in, but installed it anyway.

BTW it's right in the very center of the dash, very noticeable.
I have zero proof but that's beside the point. What is the best way to repair a damaged area of the dash? Is there a certain material to use? None of the interior shops near me here in N NJ deal with dash pads.
TIA
Matt in Randolph, NJ

 

[pschlosser]

You describe my worst nightmare. Handing over a one-of-a-kind NOS part to a service provider to install for me, and they screw it up or damage the part in the process.

One of my primary motivators when I restore/repair a vehicle (instead of having a garage mechanic or other service provider do it) is the belief that few will pay more attention to detail, and do I better job than I can installing the item.

Dashpad repair has and still seems like one of those elusive things most of us just cannot do DIY very effectively. I've read things over the years where some have attempted it, and some even look pretty good following the repair.

But there is little follow-up to see how those "nice looking" repairs have withstood the test of time.

I refer to the kind of repair that will last for years, maybe decades, tolerate repeated heating to high temperatures, when the car is parked in the sun, and minimal fading of the repair area with repeated exposed to UV for years, and years.

 

[Bret Schneider]

You need to find someone that specializes in vinyl repair. The upholstery shops I contacted trying to find someone to fix a dash pad I had out of a Cuda wouldn't touch it either. I ended up finding a guy who ran an independently owned business as part of the "Fibrenew" franchise. He did a great job on my dash which had some cracks and puncture marks from sometime before I had the car.

Their website claims they have 300+ franchises so probably one near you.

Automotive Interior Repair & Restoration Service