I've pulled the center console to install my gold and Iridium plated analog clock (I mean, it must be after all...given the price...). I discovered a console with a number of cracks, disintegrated foam seal to the A/C duct, a fully (and I mean FULLY) bodged-up interior temp sensor, delaminating side covering, and a broken rear mounting tab. Given the frequency of all of these maladies, I thought I'd share my repairs...in particular the tab.

I did a search for 'best plastic repair' and found some video on YouTube with some overly loud guy singing the praises of something called Q-Bond. It sure seemed like one of those 'as featured on TV!' crap, but I watched the video, and took a leap with Amazon. It arrived today, and I set about to repair the tab.

Let me jump straight to the finish and let the photos do the talking: this stuff is absolutely, completely amazing. It dries in 10 seconds (yes!), and is harder than the original material. It sands like a plastic and drills like a plastic, and it resulted in a fully repaired tab. Now, I know this will upset the folks that make the aluminum tab repair kits, but take a look at the photos. I am still shocked.

I also bought some rubber foam weatherstripping (3/4" x 7/16"), laid-out a correct length piece on the bench, split it with a knife to 3/8" width and installed it in the seal groove.

For the delaminated vinyl, I squeezed some of Q-Bond's glue into the void after warming the vinyl with a heat gun (don't overdo it!). I clamped it for a few minutes, and all was back to normal.

I'll post a photo of the puttied (yes, I said puttied!!) interior temp sensor. Some repair shop effected this fix and actually applied some type of putty to hold the sensor in the dash. Probably broke the tab while doing it.... It's all cleaned-up and new pieces ordered from Roger. I'll post a photo once I get the nerve...

Bob

 

Bob

That is impressive!

Im always on the lookout for new products to try.

Thanks for sharing.

 

Ditto.
Thanks for sharing.

 

Even if you never use it, it's one of those 'must have's' in the toolbox. And, oh, it comes with both black and grey plastic (I guess it's plastic) beads, and according to the box, you can repair metal with it. I don't doubt them for a moment.

 

I just fixed that same problem with a loop of electrical wire. You solution looks a little neater!

 

Are you leaving that little surprise for the next owner of your shark?

Please don't tell me that you have some of this 'fix-all' putty in your toolbox, too!

 

Thanks for posting. You had me at "dries in 10 seconds." Thinking I'll need this during top end refresh next month. $13 on Amazon.

 

Very Nice job!

 

Oh, I hope not. I plan on the next owner of this car being one of my grandchildren (the first of whom is 6 months old, so I've got some time).

I actually didn't realize there were any options for the console tabs, such as the metal reinforcers like those for the door handles. Or that there was plastic goop that would do this. At some point, I guess I'll go back in there and rebuild the tab the right way.

Maybe this winter, when I redo the pod and gauge cluster.

 

Any thoughts on using it for repairing broken tabs on urethane bumpers? I'm concerned the bumper material may be too flexible or that the q-bond may not adhere.

 

Oh, it will adhere! As the box says, it sets-up rock hard. It is more solid/durable that the host plastic, so when you replace a tab like I did, I don't think that you will ever need to worry about it again. (I need to go back and repair a few tabs on my door panels, now that I think about it...).

Summarily, I'd try and test it in an area not seen, but from my experience, this stuff will adhere to the urethane.

 

I used Loctite epoxy to attach a large faced washer to the tab - I cut a little off the washer with a Dremel for an ideal fit - is rock solid - have removed and re-attached several times since.

 

I bought these for the console.