How To Repair Cracked Dashboard - DIY Tutorial Using Sugru Glue

Need to quickly and cheaply repair a cracked dashboard? With other cars, all you may need is to prevent the cracking from getting worse. In this video, I'll show you how I repaired the cracked dashboard on my 2004 Lexus RX 330 using Sugru moldable glue (amzn.to/3YD5Zxy).
For more DIY content, check out www.ecarguides.com. You can find links to the supplies used and additional videos below:
Sugru Moldable Glue: amzn.to/3YD5Zxy
Flat Black Spray Paint: amzn.to/3nSayRx
Laquer Thinner: amzn.to/2KyPwsN
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Camera Equipment Used:
- GoPro Hero 4 Silver: amzn.to/2hXeulx
- Rode VideoMicro Mic: amzn.to/2hJWMkY
- GoPro Case + Mic Mount: amzn.to/2i4hWXA
- Basic Tripod: amzn.to/2hXace2

[@CarFanatic]

Get Sugru Moldable Glue on Amazon: amzn.to/3YD5Zxy

[@romanflores5505]

Wouldn't say it's a vast improvement....😑

[@carlos.75]

Understatement

[@sundaynitesmokepodcast]

😂😂😂

[@jessc8029]

😂😂

[@rustyshackleford3369]

Yea the only real way to fix stuff like this without still seeing it, is A: break down and buy the plastic dash , even from a salvage yard. which is a huge job to replace. B: fiberglass and paint or cover the entire dash with leather. Or C: push the crack together and epoxy or fiberglass the back then a heavy coat of SEM interior dye. But I gotta give it to him the crack does look better then doing nothing, 🤷 unless your a body man or a mechanic by trade. None of the methods above are something an average person could tackle.

[@Gkitchens1]

If you have an old scrap of textured leather or vinyl you can also pay the glue with that to make the texture match the dash more. It will go a long way towards blending it

[@gladememmott3001]

Nailed it..... ❤

[@wowwarriorsofworship5745]

I used hot glue on side to get texture. Thanks so much for the tip to use this. My dash is so much better! 💕

[@Marximarks]

Thanks for your helpful and informative video. I just ordered a pack of Sugru from Amazon for my wife’s Lexus RX330. Dashboard has a lot of cracks. I thought about replacing the dashboard but if I do as good a job as you did, I may not have to. It would save me $1k just for the parts.

[@smokestrong1000]

You should have created texture on that product after applying it so it would blend in. Get something round like the size of a quarter on a stick to stamp in texture. Create texture buy getting a hot glue gun with black glue and melting the glue on the stamp. Wait for it to cool down a little then press it into the dash to get an impression of the texture. Now you can press it into that product and it'll blend in way better

[@massyz2968]

It is a good idea to repair the dash this way before putting a dash cover!

[@datghettoazn127]

Would it have worked better if you lightly sanded the cracks before?

[@jamesholzhauer5202]

How did you get an exact match on the spray paint?

[@darkpill]

“By no means perfect” 😂

[@Luffnin]

Exactly what I thought I was hoping for a better result

[@larryroyovitz7829]

Better than nothing and cheaper than a coverall dash. I can't think of any better way to repairing these cracks short of a whole dash replacement or a coverall dash.

[@mustafaanwar8778]

Wow I like it the best part is before and after both almost the same

[@marknoir]

Hi. Just saw your video. I need to do something similar. How well does this Sugru glue stick to dash material? Thank you.

[@starlightzz1480]

Omg this is exactly what I have. Same car and everything lol. Thanks for this!

[@sophiequimper7188]

A

[@withlol777]

This is the best video for dash repair on KZbin. Straight to the point. Thank you.

[@yongcko52]

Thank you 😊

[@chuckfrumunda1835]

I have a crack in driveway....can this b used for that?

[@simonbosch4300]

I reckon you should have smoothen the repaired part with some fine sandpaper to level it up before applying the painting over it. I believe with that will definitely enhance the repair even further. Nevertheless it is pretty good and thank for sharing.

[@CarFanatic]

Good point!

[@hyphyenrique3848]

What grit would you suggest for the dashboard, I am having the same problem.

[@horamardalani91]

Enrique Cornejo have you decided which grip to use?

[@victorbenitez8496]

I thought about it too . Fixing to do this on my wife’s g35 . Dash is pretty fuck so it couldn’t get any worse lol .

[@sarahbrownell25]

@@victorbenitez8496 did you try it? I have a G35 that sounds just like that lol!! Might try this lots of cracks !

[@andreiiancu5985]

You have no idea how long i searched for this.. I have a similar crack in my lexus where your screen is.

[@scanspeak00]

Good job.

[@Reelphresh]

Guess this would be the same for a 2007 avalon. Thanks 4 showing me the product and a demonstration.

[@catrinaskinny3182]

Nice Job!

[@mttmg]

Those Lexus and Toyota dashes and some Infiniti dashes all crack because there is a manufacturing defect in the material. They were replacing them for years under a recall but I believe it's all over now. No "repair" is going to hold up for very long, the dashes will continue to to degrade, get sticky and crack.

[@iliageorgia5722]

Hello everyone, I live in Germany and there are not many Lexus parts here, or there are only original ones and they cost a lot. Can any of you please recommend an online shop in the US where I could buy auto parts?! Thanks in advance.

[@cameronfalgout2342]

Would this work for a scratch?

[@mfubgdk7782]

Please may I know is it available in Saudi Arabia

[@adamuabebe9274]

I am an Ethiopian living there. How can I get this glu with Ethiopian currency/birr? I cann't find overseas currency.

[@craigtillman5988]

Thank you sir.

[@kiruikipkorir5740]

Where can i get this

[@johnsteed265]

Those cracks happened on a lot of Lexus cars. They had a recall on them a few years ago, but it was only for a limited time. Shame.

[@vitasoy1437]

I am a 3rd hand owner of one and bought mine about 3-4 years ago. I didn't know about the extended warranty until now. Really shame on them using a defective material.

[@608portraits9]

From what I heard Lexus was trying to be environmentally friendly and changed the material for the dash so that it would breakdown better once the car was disposed of but it was a major fail.

[@fangnie6408]

I went to the dealer and they said it couldn't be repaired

[@alfredopereira6884]

Happens on Infiniti G35 too. I wonder if they get their dash boards from the same manufacturer

[@sdym7178]

Lol I love it , that is Lexus , was searching how to fix my Lexus that cracked right after 6 months of purchase ($28000) by summer sunlight , I couldn’t believe when it happened.

[@oneproudpappa]

Warranty didn't cover a new Lexus?

[@bolamakari3566]

@@oneproudpappa $28k is probably a 3-4 year old Lexus.

[@SilentHillFetishist]

Is this part meant to break, if the air bag deploys?

[@Eric-kz2rt]

Yes

[@leongky9533]

Bro may I know where to buy this mould ball?

[@CarFanatic]

Check out the video description!

[@sidheshpatil7120]

How does that impact the functioning of the airbag?

[@gk4501]

Airbags are very powerful so won't make a difference

[@deanfitzgerald1219]

Excellent question! As a supplier of professional vinyl, leather & plastic repair products for 40 years we have always advised repair techs to not do repairs on air bag covers due to the potential liability if something goes wrong during the airbag deployment. The car owner should have been advised to not even consider repair. Only recommendation is to have the cover replaced by a Lexus dealership and no where else. Absolutely refuse to repair or replace airbag covers. If there is death or serious injury and Lexus is blamed, you can bet that after their investigation they will put the full blame and responsibility on you..

[@brianc9036]

Thanks, I am going to try this on my vehicle. I got several spots with the yellow foam showing. I really just want those filled in even if it looks slightly off. Having seen some of the dash covers I am not really impressed. At this stage of the game with the mileage and age not worth spending $400+ for one of the good ones.

[@CarFanatic]

It works great for filling in missing pieces of the dash. I don't like dash covers because i believe they will interfere with the airbag or even become a projectile in the event the airbags go off. Safety first!

[@brianc9036]

I agree, the dash covers with that big gaping hole for the air bag seems kinda pointless. Especially when everyone says the $200 are crap and you need to but the $400 one. I did get the $10 Surgu and while it’s not an exact match I am happy with it. The yellow foam showing with dash peeling away was a terrible look. Now again you can tell it is patched, but it fits the cars look way better.

[@K1dPhresh1]

I’d like to see what it looks like in July/August 2021 after a summer in Texas. I think those cracks will open right back up.

[@CarFanatic]

Will keep you posted! Heat does some nasty things to cars ☹️

[@K1dPhresh1]

@@CarFanatic indeed it does, especially if parked outdoors.

[@jaybotello5895]

Not just Texas weather, weather everywhere is out of wack.

[@K1dPhresh1]

@@jaybotello5895 yeah, but Texas has been hot, forever. Granted there are hotter places (Arizona, New Mexico) but since we’re both in Texas I wanted a Texas heat perspective. Not the same in NJ or Washington state or what have you.

[@jaybotello5895]

@@K1dPhresh1 I'm originally from Texas-San Antonio the heat their is usually humid- I just visited last month for a funeral, where I am now is dry heat. Can't stand it. Lol

[@stellatiti1928]

Nice

[@amandam3300]

How can i fix spot that peeled away and can see yellow pad underneath?

[@CarFanatic]

Patch it up like you wood dry wall using spackle. This will improve the look but not make the damage invisible.

[@opticillusion792]

Yeahhh, it still looks the same. In this case, I don't know which is worse, the cracks or the obvious repair job...

[@vmar8802]

I imagine that's a damp washcloth you used?

[@stevet5790]

With it affect airbags deployment?

[@tedwilliams8879]

Only one way to find out.

[@alexalvarez3693]

Where can I buy this moldable glue ?

[@CarFanatic]

Here you go amzn.to/3htiXst

[@The559Jeff]

Typical Lexus dash, unfortunately they keep cracking everywhere. This was a recall but very few knew it.

[@JohnDoe-yr1xc]

When it dries I bet it stands out even more due to the thinner that was used and I'm sure it looks dry and ashy. Unused alcohol once to remove a decal and I really regret it because the dash looks really bad from the alcohol removing the coat that it should have to stay shiny. I'm sure thinner is worse than alcohol on surfaces no doubt.

[@dewholdingsllc1050]

Toyota Motor Corp paid for all of those sticky and cracked dashboards. It was well known recall. Why would I patch something that dealership would replace with new dashboards.

[@rainyday13]

Can you say moldable glue a few more times? LOL|! Anyway thanks for the video. Good job!

[@CarFanatic]

Moldable glue 😂

[@1966ayjay]

The edges near the cracks are raised. You have to Drexel the edges, then fill, sand, and paint.

[@tedwilliams8879]

What is Drexel?

[@twotoned2774]

I did this to my dash and didn't like it. I replaced the dash with a different one I got from the junkyard. Now three months later this one has a crack. I'm gonna try flex seal with a q-tip since my dash is black.

[@cortchase5591]

Did you ever do this? I'm interested. Thx

[@twotoned2774]

@@cortchase5591 flex seal, super glue, or rubber paste didn't work. The crack just kept expanding. I bought a pleather cover off E....bay for $30. I don't like it, but I can't do another dash in fear it may crack again.

[@BoxinghHstory]

After all that work there wasn’t much of a change the cracks were still visible just like before

[@roadstar499]

yes,thats a quick okay fix... other option would be to dremel crack than fill will liquid vinyl..then use textured paper..and hope it matched perfect...

[@CarFanatic]

Great suggestion. I'm sure there are some professionals out there that could get amazing results!

[@PhildoBaggins]

Damn, have the tan dash

[@ryanscot7445]

Not that great, but I purchased (and returned) a dash cover as it did not fit snuggly. I am not sure how to win this battle. Lexus wants $2000

[@ViezePoeperd]

What you're looking for is called a 'softlack' repair. That's what that rubbery topcoat is.

[@gladememmott3001]

You said from a far you really cant tell...... its a dashboard bruh.... its 2 feet from your face!!!!!! Sooooooooo yeah😂😂😂😢😢😢

[@vitasoy1437]

My RX350 has small cracks only for now (fingers crossed) but the cracks caused pieces to fall off and right now it's about 3x3 of the bottom/base that is exposed. I dunno what to do to fix that. >

[@amandam3300]

Did u find a way to fix it

[@vitasoy1437]

@@amandam3300 No. and additional cracks have since appeared at different areas. :(

[@adrianrybak9834]

I have changed The whole leather on The dash

[@c.a.nixiii4650]

Or for less than $450 get a plastic fitted cover from Coverlay that fits perfect and makes it look new. And less time and effort than this! Or less than $50 for a perfect fitting suede looking cover that lays over the top. On my GX470 I have both. You can see on one of my own videos the cover. This is interesting but will continue to crack over time! Why bother?

[@GK_US]

do you have a link? I cant find it..😢

[@xenos1969]

If you had used sand paper before painting, it would have been much better!

[@OzSeattle]

Lol Looked the same basically.

[@ns4093]

Look like same after and before 😂😂😂 Soorry brother 😂

[@speccyiiii7677]

Poster should have gone to SpecSavers...!

[@Thedon3r1]

Seems same to me

[@pbpager]

LMFAO!!!

[@isaacrhodes1605]

Lol looks exactly the same😂😂😂

[@michaelheong166]

Just vinyl wrap it

[@richardmiller8670]

So in other words, you can’t fix a cracked dashboard.

[@sll-tt6bj]

No good if crack is uneven

[@JfTrendyTubes]

looks same

[@Butchcub75]

hopefully it wont affect the deployment of the passenger side airbag lol

[@hassanalhammadi1990]

Nothing happed

[@walidshibani9593]

Its still cracked...replace the dash dude...replace

[@stevelanfear3877]

Looks bloody rubbish. A lot of effort for poor results.

[@glowstone9848]

FAK’N agreeeeeeeeee 😑🤘

[@martinl7615]

Looks same

[@Zo7ok]

No good 😑 ✌️

[@jasond5807]

Yikes looks rough for all that work.

[@tdawg9225]

you cant charge someone for that

[@jorgevillacis8127]

looks the same !

[@savydaniel]

"Same but different".

[@mdromzan6209]

I knw the work u want anybody

[@davidhunternyc1]

It still looks awful to me. Not a solution.

[@FearOfGeorge]

I dont see any repair, its the same...

[@michaelalfaro4709]

Quedo igual de feo

[@lancel.7737]

30 bucks? Still looks like 🗑

[@TheAranzamendiPodcast]

This is crap man. Might as well not fix it at all. Plus the paint odor or smell later once you are done. Good for you if you like it, but I think it's not worth it at all. Thanks for sharing the video anyway.

[@highcosmonaut7255]

Literally does not look any different, you can see the entire crack just as easily as before.

[@sirkoes187]

SAME crap

[@johnroyal4913]

For 30 buck you can spend time and still see where it was. Sandpaper is your friend.

[@johnroyal4913]

Also SEM makes all sorts of products to fix this issue. Texture spray and flexable Spraypaint that matches oem colors.

[@aalmaskri]

This is an unacceptable solution I believe there is something better than this someone knows something please reply directly comment.

[@BV1180]

It looks the same 😂

[@brain8484]

What a mess

[@dubaiwolf]

it was better before hahaha

[@Ramadan.Elshimi]

Before was better

[@CarFanatic]

That's what she said

[@ctanase]

that looks like shit in the end

[@Minggoreng]

the worest repair tutorial i have seen. it’s still a big crack!😂

[@nicmic6269]

overkill...poor dashboard...thinner, paint, for metal , brrr

[@armandob5251]

Looks awful still

[@keithlahey6969]

That looks terrible. Just put a cover on it. That was a waste of time!

[@touficobeid]

You made me laugh 😂😂😂 .. you didn't do absolutely nothing .. and we are idiots watching it

[@stevenlaubach7222]

Pull a new dash out of the junkyard.

[@erikbalanza]

It happened to all of them, you can buy a new dash for 1k+ put a dash cover, or repair it

[@stanallport6746]

bad.