Dashboard Repair

A car dashboard can crack due to various reasons. It could be either due to UV rays from the sun, a result of a car crash or even just due to regular wear and tear as a result of excess usage. A cracked dashboard spoils the appearance of your car from the inside and needs to be repaired or replaced quickly. Replacing a cracked dashboard is the best potion is such cases, though a highly expensive one. In case the damage is minor, you can try out a few things to repaid the problem by yourself, saving the cost of replacing the dashboard or even getting it fixed from someone else.

Car Dashboard Repair

The table below suggest all possible options, their merits and demerits to help you make the decision best suited for you.

Option	Pros	Cons
Replacing with a new dashboard	Very good finishing Post replacement, dashboard will look great Best option among all others when it comes to quality	Takes a lot of effort to remove the old dashboard and install a new one in place Cost is high for an altogether new dashboard Finding a new dashboard exactly same in size and appearance as the old one is a tough job
Recover the dashboard from the company	Easy job considering good quality repair products available these days No hassles in looking for an altogether new part Most manufactures have certain repair jobs covered under warranty, like cracks	Car may have to be left at a workshop for repair for a few days It does take some effort in repairing the dashboard The repaired dash may face problems over a period of time, if the work is not done properly Looks of the dashboard will take a beating as it won't be as flawless, as it previously used to be
Replacing the old dashboard with a used one	It is a highly cost-effective solution for the problem, compared to getting a brand new dashboard The quality stands to be good as it is an original part even though used for a while	Again, this job takes some effort in replacing the current dashboard There may be a possibility that the used dashboard can crack easily as it has already been subject to wear and tear
Fix a 'cap' on the damaged dashboard	This is again a cheap option as the 'cap' is largely inexpensive The hard plastic cap installed is surprising more durable than the original dashboard itself There is no need to remove the old dashboard or install a new one, and hence less of effort	Since the cap is not an original part, it looks tacky in appearance There is a risk of further damaging the dashboard if the job is not done well Chances of the cap not fitting well are also high, and unfortunately the only choice available to figure this out is by trying the cap
Repairing a cracked dashboard	Probably the most cost-effective among other options, especially when done by yourself Does not take a lot of effort as in other repair and replacement jobs	There may be variations in quality of the repaired dashboard as compared to the original one Chances of the dashboard cracking up at the same places in the future are high

How to Repair a Cracked Dashboard

The best way to repair a cracked dashboard is by using silicone caulking, taking in to account its strength to hold the cracks together and its flexibility. Also, this is a simple and inexpensive method you can try out, by following the steps listed below:

Step 1
With the help of a utility knife, make a 'V' shape incursion around the crack. Avoid making the cut too deep, so that the silicone caulking can be applied easily. Before you do anything else, clean up the crack from the inside as well as outside. Take out all dust settled from within using blower or a damp cloth and allow the area to completely dry before moving ahead.

Step 2
To ensure that the silicone caulking stays in the crack, stick a painter's tape on either side of the crack. This will prevent any caulking from spreading on to and spoiling the dashboard, as silicone caulking shines after drying.

Step 3
Fill the crack on the dashboard with silicone caulking and let it dry for about 15 to 20 minutes, after which you remove the tape. In case the rack is small, you can remove the tape first and them let it dry. If the crack is bigger, you can apply a coat of vinyl on the silicone caulking before it totally dries out or else it won't soak in the coating.

Step 4
Let the silicone on the dashboard dry for 2 to 3 hours, and then apply paint on the bigger cracks, so that they are not visible enough.

Since the major cause for a cracked dashboard is exposure to sun and UV rays, a good way to prevent this would be by covering the dashboard when the car is kept outside during daytime. You can use a towel or any piece of cloth for the same. Applying certain substances on the dashboard like sunscreen, baby oil or Vaseline, can go a long way in not having to undertake a car repairing yourself.