Dean_Fuller

I KNOW I have read many threads on this subject but now can not find those. Very few threads show up when searching "pod repair" "dash cracks" ect...

Thanks to Gio I have another pod and dash in hand to go in my son's 80 model. Both are in need of crack repairs though. What procedures have people used that has stood the test of time?

eScott

You've probably seen this thread, but I'll post a link anyway. Pictures at post 90...
https://rennlist.com/forums/928-foru...ow-to-fix.html

I've repaired dashes using similar methods with good results. This is how I plan on repairing the dash I have now.

NoVector

Hi Dean,
I did it a couple years ago on my '84 when I still lived in Maryland. The worst part was removing the pod, center console and dash! I used the Bondo angel hair stuff and then regular bondo to fill the small cracks. I then used the SEM texture coating stuff and then painted it. Personally, if I had to do it again, I think I would not use the SEM texture paint and instead tried using a latex paint, wait 'til it got tacky, and then used a paint roller. i know it sounds kind of red-neck, but... I think it would give a better textured look. My interior is blue and no matter how many different cans of SEM products I tried, Shadow Blue is the closest I could get. Now, everything is Shadow Blue--including the rear seats I just bought from Gio

I suck at uploading pictures, but here it goes... Note I also put touches of carbon fiber on stuff too.

Trust me, put the Bondo on thick! I don't know how many times I thought I was done priming and then I'd set it in the sun to dry and ghosts of the cracks would come back. Good luck! / Bruce

Dean_Fuller

Thanks...thats one I had not found. Still remember others that were very in depth.

Dean_Fuller

Thanks Bruce...thats a good idea about the paint roller. Your interior looks great. I guess we are somewhat related now that Gio's back seats are in your car and his dash and pod will be installed in my son's car.

Giovanni

LOL, there is a little of that 88 in lots of other 928s. Dean, it was nice to finally meet you. I hope you get to fix the dash/POD. Have you considered the fiberglass, bondo and finish it with black vinyl?

Chris

Bruce, interior looks great ... the center of your Momo wheel is upside down though

Chris

bd0nalds0n

The shifter handle is on backwards, too.

bd0nalds0n

You could also have the pod and dash recovered in vinyl or leather. I had both of mine redone with a thin layer of foam in between to provide just a wee bit of padding and "give" when pushed. Even though it would probably offend the purists, I had my dash and pod done in black vinyl. I wanted to prevent shrinking or cracking as long as possible.

NoVector

LOL - I noticed that the first time I drove it. Although I never noticed my Momo was omoM

KenRudd

I'm just starting the Bondo/SEM Texture Coating method on my pod.

I am practicing on a pod before I yank my "production pod".

I sanded the whole thing, then I laid down a layer of the Bondo-Hair ( No 762) filler. I had to scoop it out with my gloved hand, and I have to say, it has the weirdest texture...

Once that set, and I sanded it fairly well, I tested two different filler layers, one half of the pod done in regular Bondo filler ( no. 262) and one half using Nitro-Stan Red Putty 9001 which I had laying around. Both seemed to have worked equally well, but if I had to choose, and when I do it again, will probably use the Bondo 262. Just a little easier to work with.

I also repaired a gouge right at the key hole, which is when I noticed something strange: the key hole in my current '88 pod is somewhat different then the key hole in the pod I am using. Not sure what year the donor pod is, awaiting confirmation from the previous owner. It's not clear if this will affect function, but if you look at the picture of my original pod, you will see the hole is more pronounced. The donor pod is a little difficult to see because the contrast where I repaired it is poor, but the hole is clearly different, and not just because I fixed the gouge, as my repair follows the original contours; the hole itself is different, with an angle that is farther from the edge of the pod..

KenRudd

Here are some additional pics of the original pod ( with cracks) and the work in progress...

KenRudd

Update:
I stongly withdraw my suggestion of "Nitro-Stan Red Putty 9001". Although initally it seemed fine, it is peeling and chipping off the lower layer of Bondo-Hair. The Bondo-Hair was sanded and clean before the application, and the Bondo Filler is sticking perfectly to the Bondo-Hair on the other half, so just stick with the Bondo products on this.....

KenRudd

I have been trying to figure out a way to reproduce the OEM vinyl texture after the repair. The pebble texture that a default application of the SEM 39853 texture paint looks okay, and I would use that if need be, but I had some time and felt like experimenting. I had a test pod I could use, so no harm in trying. How could I transfer the texture from a good vinyl area to the new surface ? I needed some kind of mold.

It occurred to me that Plasticine Modeling clay might be perfect. I could make an impression of a good area from the old dash, and press that into the Dupont texture paint before it had set.

So, I went to the arts and craft store, and found some in a a grey-green color to match my interior. Obviously the color of the clay is unimportant, but since they had that color, I got it.

I rolled it out flat between some wax paper using my wife's best ball bearing rolling pin, just because I like to live dangerously. I then pressed it against a good area of the original vinyl. It made what I thought was a tolerable impression once peeled off.

The trick was now to imprint that on the new pod. I spayed good layer of the Dupont texture coat, let it set for a couple seconds, hopefully to form a skin, and smooshed the clay in place. I walked away an let it set for about an hour.

Failure. The texture paint won't set up without air, and the clay just peeled it away. I tried longer periods with the same effect.

But, I thought, "The Bondo does not need air to set up", so I tried it with just a thin skim coat of Bondo. This was better, but not great. The clay just does not leave a perfect impression. So I called this a failure. However, I think there may be promise for this method. If you were patient and accepted the fact that you may need to sand off the Bondo and retry in certain areas a few times, I think you could get a pretty good copy of the vinyl this way. I also wonder if using real rubber mold compound to create an impression of the original vinyl might work..

KenRudd

A funny thing happened while working with the clay. I realized the wrinkled up wax paper gave a pretty good simulation of vinyl grain. Not perfect, but not bad.

So I intentionally wrinkled some up as much as possible. Note; wrinkled wax paper becomes very flimsy, like tissue paper. Be careful, or you will rip it and need to start again.

I then applied the wrinkled wax paper to a still wet layer of the SEM 39853 texture paint. Again, it won't set unless exposed to air, so I peeled it off wet. It looked awful.

But wait..let it set up fully and go over it with some 400 grit paper and something happens. It begins to look like vinyl. Surprisingly so. Not a perfect match for the stock, but not bad. You almost certainly will need to sand down several areas and try again, but that is quick and easy.