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I saw a video by Polyvance on YouTube today. It looks like a pretty cool product. It would be a good alternative to Just Dashes or putting a fiberglass cap over a damaged dash. Has anyone done this or sent a dash to Just Dashes? I've heard it's quite expensive.
It looks pretty straight forward and you can buy the plastic welder on Amazon for around $20. You can also buy flexible plastic body filler that's used on plastic bumper covers cheaper than whats offered in the video. The issue is that the dash needs to come out of the car.
Looking at the process, the big difference in my opinion is the finish. An original dash pad has a fake leather grain texture and the polyvance is a sprayed texture which can't duplicate the faux OEM hyde texture much like the texture on all other interior pcs (door panels, arm rests, consoles, steering wheels, trim)
In the event that a reproduction or good OE dash pad are unavailable I think this would be a good alternative for someone not doing a concours restoration. The Polyvance and body shop plastic weld are engineered to adhere properly to a plastic dash. Other options would be using the original dash as a foundation for a fiberglass cap or covering the dash in leather/vinyl. I didn't know Just Dashes had poor customer service. I've experienced service like that from other aftermarket suppliers.
Having tried many of the half-fast dash repairs over the last 40 years, I'm not optimistic that anything using a bondo-like product on a surface like vinyl that moves a lot with temperature will last. The dash recovering vendors are expensive because it is a labor-intensive process. You get what you pay for. If you can find a replacement dash, great. Try that with a 62 F-85. Any used dash is just as old as the one you already have, and the plastic is equally dried out and brittle.
My dash pad was cracked on my 71 cutlass with pad removed I scrubbed and let dry overnight. Bought a tube of Dap white caulk and RUGGED black spray paint by Rust oleum. Work Dap in the crack wipe off access and let setup. Then sprayed the rugged black over entire dash pad, let it dry. Next day sanded pad to the texture I wanted then spray with automotive paint to the original color. The rugged black comes out like a fine undercoat and is sand able. I would practice with a piece of cardboard and get use to the spray can. You need to play with your speed and distance from the pad. Good luck!
Oldsmobilejim
finish with Dap and rugged black
Last edited by oldsmobilejim; Mar 9, 2020 at 08:46 AM.
Reason: would like to add picture and maybe video
My dash pad was cracked on my 71 cutlass with pad removed I scrubbed and let dry overnight. Bought a tube of Dap white caulk and RUGGED black spray paint by Rust oleum. Work Dap in the crack wipe off access and let setup. Then sprayed the rugged black over entire dash pad, let it dry. Next day sanded pad to the texture I wanted then spray with automotive paint to the original color. The rugged black comes out like a fine undercoat and is sand able. I would practice with a piece of cardboard and get use to the spray can. You need to play with your speed and distance from the pad. Good luck!
Oldsmobilejim
I am going to try this but not on my oldsmobile!!! I will try it on my chevy. LOL😂 A 1981 square body pu.
My dash pad was cracked on my 71 cutlass with pad removed I scrubbed and let dry overnight. Bought a tube of Dap white caulk and RUGGED black spray paint by Rust oleum.
Jim, that's excellent! If you could post some after pics that would be great. I believe one of our members Lady72nRob71 did a similar project on his Olds. Too bad hasn't been active for awhile.
To answer the OP question. Yes I sent my dash to Just Dashes. Including the glove box it was roughly $900. It's gorgeous but pricey but my dash was a disaster so I'm happy with the product. Also took 3-4 months.
Last edited by TripDeuces; Apr 16, 2020 at 03:29 PM.
It's cool that they can change the color as well. I suppose that isn't that difficult since they completely redo the dash. Looking forward to seeing installed pics.
Jim, THAT LOOKS AWESOME!!!! Thank you SO much. I am off to the hardware store.
If I can ask, has it been reinstalled and how has it held up to vibration, rough roads, etc?
