Hi!

For people wondering, yes I used the search button. I was still not able to get a good conclusion about the best and cheapest way. This question is for a friend of mine who's a college student and owns a 944 NA. As you may guess, he's not rich and as most 944s the dash is in pretty bad shape. Is there a reliable way to fix it by ourselves? What kind of products should we use? If not, what's the best "bang for the buck" solution for this problem?

Thanks and best regards,
Yan

 

Re-search in the 928 boards. There is a good write up there on recovering.
You can always go with a dash-cap for 100$ or so.

Cheap fix, really none without a complete dash removal and recovering like the 928 guys do.

 

You can get an ABS dash cover for less than $100 and I would recommend that unless you have a couple days of free time to remove, refinish, and re-install the dash.

Try searching Ebay for a less expensive dash cap.

 

Search for a thread "Dash Cracked? Here's how to fix"

Originally posted on 928 forum on 8/5/04.

Sorry I do not know how to put the link here, maybe some else can help.

 

linky:

https://rennlist.com/forums/928-forum/150402-dash-cracked-here-s-how-to-fix.html

Sounds good to me. Mine isn't bad enough to warrant repair just yet, thank goodness.

 

Coverlay Dash Cover: $89

No visible cracks in your dash: Priceless!

 

I read that post (using fiber-bondo to fix your dash). As much as I like innovatons, I can't hardly believe this one. Did I understand correctly that he applied it directly to leather??? Surely this is some sort of cruel joke. If anyone has tried this, I would sure like to hear some follow-up...Bruce

 

You own a 944 and your primary concern is "cheap"? WTF?

Dude, NOTHING about these cars is "cheap" - at least not to do it right. If you want a "cheap" car, go buy a Honda.

 

That is for sure.

I happen to have a dash with no cracks at all. It has spent most of its life out of the sun and in a cool climate. But I am worried about the off gassing of the elastomers, or what ever they are called. What is the best product to put on the dash to keep it uncracked. Or is that a pipe dream and one day it is going to crack?

 

Opinions on this vary and I haven't seen any chemical studies on it, but none of the parts I've treated with a light wipe-down of WD-40 have cracked, FWIW. You just have to go light and wipe a lot. Normally I'll then go over it a day later with the Meguire's rubber & vinyl treatment. Seems to work.

 

This is my next major project so I wrote the manufacturer of SEM about available colors. This is the response...

"Currently, 3985( ) Texture Coating is only available in black. It should be top coated, as the product is not designed to be left exposed. Most paints may be applied over 3985( ) with great results. The product works great with our Color Coat or Bumper Coater line of products. Color Coat and Bumper Coater have little film build so the texture isn’t affected."

 

I am in the process of bondoing the dash out of my parts car. It is very slow going, and I am taking my time. If I was better at bodywork, it would be much easier. I stripped off all of the vinyl, and lightly sanded the foam. The bondo sticks really well, only complaint I have so far is that it is a little brittle, I have cracked it where I pushed it with my thumb. Thicker may solve that.

 

Answer no cheap way lol. I spent most of my early ownership trying to figure out how to fix the dash ended up buying a perfect one and installing it in my car. Takes about a day start to finish now it looks great :-).

 

Thanks for the help guys. The link is MUCH MUCH appreciated.

Concerning the "a 944 is always expensive" thingy, that's why I own two sports car:
- a modded Mustang GT '01 as a daily driver (low 13s car)
- a modded 944 Turbo '86 as my true lover

 

do they make dash caps for cars ('87 +) with air bag cut out?????