Cracked dash panel

MBJ

MBJ

Member
Original poster
Joined
Jan 2, 2016
Messages
30
Location
Bowie, MD
The dash panel on my '05 TJ is cracking at the sides of the center grill. It's gotten much worse this year. I'd like any advice on what the most effective repair is, including actual brands of any epoxy / glue / sealant recommended.

My thought is to use plastic cement to set the cracks back together then strengthen / reinforce the back using a fiberglass repair kit like the one in the Amazon link (West System is too expensive).

Any thoughts? - Thanks.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BO9NOO/?tag=wranglerorg-20

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2016-08-20_crackedTJDash_01.jpg
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Honestly, if it was me, I would just find a used one on eBay that isn't cracked. I say that because I honestly thing it's more effort to try and fix that, than it would to just buy a used one for $20 or so and replace it.

I will say however, that kit you linked to looks good. It's got almost all positive reviews, and it is made by 3M (and they make really good stuff).
 
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You can try to repair that and it is one of the few pieces of interior plastic that is able to be bonded well due to the type of plastic it is. Most of the rest of the dash pieces are NOT ABS and will not respond well to any of the popular bonding methods.

As said though, just get a new one, far less hassle and maybe it will not have the same problem as the one you have now which happens to be very odd as in odd enough that I've not seen another one do that.
 
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Do you have the dash exposed to direct sunlight alot? Just curious. That with a hardtop and windows up could be the culprit of the cracking.
 
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