Weissach

Every dash is different and will require different methods.

The dash has two main plains. The top section and the bottom section. If your cracks are only on the top(around the vents), then only use bondo there. But, you must do the entire top half. Sand it down(making sure evrything is even), then grain the entire dash with the texure spray.

If your cracks go all the way down to the bottom of the dash, then you will be doing both sections. First, sand it down. Make sure it's clean. Then apply fiberglass rienforced bondo. Apply it evenly to the entire dash, about 1-2mm thick. Then sand it down. Repeat if needed.

As far as sand paper. Start with 100-grit then work your way to a 600. The whole process is very similar to doing body work on a car. If you've done it before, then it should be easy. If you haven't, do some research on body work before you try it.


The dash will have to come out. Their is no way to do it inside the car. The dash is not the hard to take off. After you remove the center console and pod, it's only four bolts at each side. If this is your daily driver, try finding a core dash to work on. It's okay if it has cracks, but not warped. I've noticed that only the leather ones warp, the normal ones just crack.


If you don't know how to do bodywork, then take the dash to a body shop. Explain to them that you want it prepped for paint. Take them the fiberglass rienforced bondo(it's the only one that works). After they do their job, just take it home a texure and paint it yourself.

rixter

I like this thread, only 1 thing, you can actually still get a brand new 928 dash from Porsche.. they are however VERY EXPENSIVE... I have 1 and maybe 2 early model dashes CHEAP if anyone wants to experiment....

Weissach

I used truck bedliner on the very first dash I did. It didn't work that great because the grain is not consistent. It also started to bubble in the heat. The SEM texure spray is specially made for this kind of job, it's the only way to go...

Jessa

The stock pod has a little bit of flex in it in places. Will one repaied with with technique retain that, or is it in greater danger of cracking when removing and reinstalling the pod?

Arno

Just called Thad Kreso he can supply SEM Texture CoatingPhone#724-335-4808or e-mail vinylpro@nb.net. Hope this helps.

Bill Ball

Weissach:

Thanks for presenting this and answering questions. This gets my vote for being included in Top 10 928 Tips of the year.

Nicole

How hard is the dash after refinishing? How well does the texture match the glove box, console, and door panels?

Ron_H

I have a brand new (NOS) dash from Porsche in Atlanta via Susan at Devek for.........sit down.......$1200. It is beautiful. It is sitting on my garage floor awaiting installation. But first I must find a SEM or other coating to match it to use on the ugly pod I had recovered from JustDashes. $@%*@!!!**!! Save your sanity and don't call them. My problem?? Finding a SEM store that can match the color of the dash with a color coat spray can/bottle. Sounds easy, eh? Well, I must first take the entire dash to them wherever they are. That means stuffing it in the shark or my Rabbit and carting it around without damage. Anyway, Susan reports that Porsche has a couple of more dashes in their warehouse in case anyone is interested.

Weissach

That's why it must be the fiberglass rienforced bondo. It will flex without falling apart.


I didn't know that Susan at Devek can still get them for $1200. That might seem like allot, but it's really not. 928 specialist told me they didn't have any and 928 international said the same. Oh yeah, 928 international did have a cracked dash they would sell me. They wanted $400 for it, cracked!!

Macfreak007

I am going to try and do this to my 944 dash, I was wondering if you had a parts # or something so that I could get the correct brown to match my interior, I'll post pictures when I give it a shot.
Thanks!

Chuck Z

This is an AWESOME thread! Weissach, you've really done a great job experimenting with the process and explaining it to the group. I do not have any need for the info right now but still found it very interesting. Nice job!

Red UFO

I think I'll try this on my pod.

Any links to the SEM texure spray and fiberglass rienforced bondo? I'm pretty good with bondo so this will be easy for me to figure out.

fst951

Hard to believe. They must really like you at only $400 for a cracked up dash! Awesome deal. I just can't believe that you passed on it!

I am very impressed that you did one that sits in the Miami sun everyday. That really is hard to belive, but I will take your word on it.

One question. Do you actually remove all the vinyl and pading and are left with the steel shape and then you rework that with fiber glass reinforced bondo with a couple of light coats and then texture and color to match?

Thanks for the thread.

autochicago

RonH, funny you bring up Just Dashes. I was about to use them for some pod & dash repair. So your pod didn't turn out so well. Would you mind posting a pic or two?

... although it sounds promising, I'm not quite ready to experiment with the bondo method. :-)

Ron_H

autochicago:

I would rather bathe in acid, eat broken glass, stare into the sun for an hour, jump into an active volcano, etc., than deal with JustDashes ever again. I have posted a photo or two on Rennlist that shows the mismatch of the dash I received from them, both in fit and color. The color is so bad it is disgusting. I asked them why they didn't match the sample item I sent which came out of the interior, and they said "just re-dye the rest of the interior to match their crappy dash". What? After investing close to $1800 w/labor? The finish is about what you would expect from a child of 10: edges and corners bulging and rounded rather than crisp and taught. I asked them about that and they said I should learn to live with it. I asked why the pod interferes with the dash to the point of scraping against each other if I raise or lower the pod, and squeaks when the car is driven as each piece rubs against the other. They said they couldn't do a better job and to "live with it". I told them where they could ram their crummy dash, and I think they didn't appreciate that and hung up. Email Nicole and ask her about my dash. She has ridden in the car and been forced to "live with it" for a considerable length of time; long enough to have an opinion. Ask her what she thinks of JustDashes. If JustDashes was on fire, I would run down there with a bucket of gasoline to spray on the fire to speed up the process. I hope this is perfectly clear. If you use that company, don't say you were not warned.

I now have a NOS dash. I can hardly wait to replace my ugly and ill fitting dash with my new factory dash. The old one now belongs to Devek. They were nice enough to negotiate a settlement with JustDashes and also bent to get me the new dash. Call Susan and ask her if she will order you a new one and gloat over it when you get it. Or use JustDashes and realize anger unknown to you ever in your past. Can you tell I am just a bit angry with them? And a little less wealthy, (about $1200) after the ordeal which isn't over yet, because I must still re-dye the crummy pod they sent me to match the dash and the rest of the interior of my car. I don't have time to look at my old back up discs for photos as I must get up early tomorrow (today). Take my word for it. You would be better off just hitting your toes with a sledge hammer. Now I am angry again. **$$E#@((@!!**#!!!