How To Restore a Cracked Dashboard

The dash in the Datsun 280ZX was severely cracked from years sitting in the sun. I do a DIY dashboard repair and get rid of all the cracks following a video made by throtl. The materials I used were bondo, sand paper, crack filler foam from Eastwood, and a Flock kit from Flock It.
Throtl Crack Dash Repair Video
• How To Restore a Crack...
Materials
flockit.com
eastwood.com/sealant-foam-12-oz.html

[@TheOfficialAnniekins]

.... I have NO IDEA how I got here. But just know- watching you bring life back into something old and run down was so inspiring. Tysm

[@victordeleon8412]

🙏

[@joejones6968]

Wow man, Its so nice to see a young person such as yourself doing car-crafting, and otherwise learning how to fix, and repair your own car. Awesome. And I think you did a great job. you will get better in time. Take your time, go slow get good results and really be proud of your work and efforts. Ill be watching you progress.

[@victordeleon8412]

🙏🙏🙏 thank you. I've definitely been learning a lot from this process, gaining a passion for older cars

[@3novacane]

This video shows its not the tools. Its how you use them. Everyone should see. He used all harbor freight tools. No Dewalt or any specialty tools. Bro. You got Talent.

[@mikehartwick8499]

That poor dash. Bro, kudos for taking this on. So many things done wrong. Don't give up on the bezels around the gauges.

[@busara45thevillain22]

I'm going with great stuff and taping the top until it sets to reduce the amount of excess I have to shave. I just needed to see someone else go in to build my confidence. Thank you for that!

[@victordeleon8412]

🤙got you dude. Its not hard at all just take your time

[@laytonlian3242]

i guess Im asking randomly but does anybody know of a way to get back into an Instagram account? I stupidly forgot my account password. I would appreciate any assistance you can give me!

[@otisclyde9167]

@Layton Lian instablaster ;)

[@laytonlian3242]

@Otis Clyde Thanks so much for your reply. I found the site thru google and Im in the hacking process atm. I see it takes quite some time so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@laytonlian3242]

@Otis Clyde it did the trick and I now got access to my account again. Im so happy:D Thanks so much you saved my account :D

[@charliep788b]

I subscribed, this made me feel like I can do it. I’ll be working on my 1979 Chevrolet Caprice Classics dash soon!! Thanks ❤

[@gswizzle3714]

Thanks, this video is going to help me when I restore the interior of my Gbody.

[@AmericanDefender]

Watching this makes me appreciate my steel dash.

[@bodhim4353]

I appreciate that you're masked up while working on an old car that surely has mold in it. Safety is paramount

[@nrd2143]

You did a absolute amazing job on the interior of your car, you deserve more subscribers for your amazing craftsmanship.

[@victordeleon8412]

Thanks my dude! I just gotta post more videos, the subs will come

[@davidf.8497]

Hey Victor! To have the Bondo even, the best is a sanding by hand with a fairly soft material underneath to follow the "waves" of the dash

[@twotoned2774]

I just watched this video out of curiosity. You did a good job. It was fun to watch.

[@eddiestclair-im5wm]

The spray foam from the hardware store will continue to expand in the sunlight, so it will blow out after it sits in the car for a while, so you didn't get duped.

[@stevemiller9299]

Not if you use the one specific for exterior use

[@ufartface]

dont forget to use a windshield shade

[@andysaunders3708]

STOP TRYING TO SHAPE IT WHEN IT'S STILL EXPANDING.

[@victordeleon8412]

I fucked up on the first one. chill. It still came out fine

[@rmmlaurel]

I know this took a long time and you worked so hard but it turned out great! I would be proud of my work.

[@MrAllan9]

I spray the foam and leave it rise and cure, makes sculpting the dash easier. Glad to see someone sharing a diy vid like this. Also, flexible bondo is available as well as flexible primers and paint. A dashboard can reach some wicked temperatures. 💨🔥

[@iwritechecksatthegrocerystore]

In another comment he mentioned that it cracked soon after finishing. Will using just the foam have better success at preventing cracking? Or would it be: foam, cut/sand than apply flexible bondo?

[@divineintervention212]

Foam, cut ,sand bonndo sand spot putty sand . Foam alone is too porous and you'll see the holes in it if you paint over it.😉

[@TheMultisportGeek]

That looks really good. I’m wondering what it would look like if you used something like Raptor Liner.

[@raymaharaj3555]

Thanks for taking the time man ...

[@victordeleon8412]

For sure my dude

[@notbad442]

Wow, finally! Thanks so much for this tutorial, exactly what I was looking for.

[@timothypeterson5396]

Don't smear the foam with a trowel!!! Spray on the foam let it do it's thing then come back n cut .

[@thericesquad]

I hand palmed my face when he worked the foam.

[@garyr7027]

That's what I was thinking, but then if I had to ever do one I wouldn't even do it this way. There's got to be better methods.

[@iwritechecksatthegrocerystore]

@@garyr7027 honestly it seems like he had better success with the bondo then the foam at all.

[@frikkiesmit327]

​@@thericesquad hows your face doing now? 😁

[@tepidtuna7450]

Flocking amazing. Good stuff.

[@EricaYE6]

I think using the foam stuff first and then the Bondo on top turned out to be a great idea.

[@YusufGinnah]

Thanks for the video but... I couldn't help but be triggered by you not reinstalling the gauge pods and not attempting to at least try to repair them. While the dash was out the car I mean. That's it, that's my rant 😅😆🤣🤣 Thanks again. Cheers!!

[@EnriqueLopez-hb5jn]

This is awesome that you can fix a cracked dash & make it new again.

[@user-hk1yc5gp1j]

مجهود كبير ....❤❤❤عمل رائع

[@georgebachaalani4181]

Very impressive 👍 , great work! It's almost an art, the dashboard now looks like brand new! Your 280 is surely happy 😊

[@Lijah2good4u]

Fire proofing foam works pretty good when that’s all u got. 🤙🏽 good video

[@lachachi1968]

WAOOO you are a MAGICIAN ✨! Standing up Applauses !! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@ChristianMagaji]

Nice dash, man. impressed by the results with just a hand drill as a tool. Hope the dash is holding up well. when doing bondo over cracks like those you should try to find a flexible bondo that can expand and contract with the heat changes in the sun, day/night, summer/winter ... to help avid cracking again. keep ut the good work👍

[@matthewjenkins1161]

Now that is real talent. You started with the steering wheel on the right and finished with it on the left.

[@charalamposneokleous397]

You need glssses

[@matthewjenkins1161]

@@charalamposneokleous397 Possibly, but I know what I saw. Check 0:16 and 21.22

[@charalamposneokleous397]

Sorry friend . You are right!

[@Unnicknamed]

Front camera footage. Check the gauges.

[@jacobv713]

Please give us an update in a year I’m curious to see how the urethane and polyester (bondo) hold up together.. also if the bondo cracks from vibration .. there are more flexible putty’s for bumpers that don’t crack as easily

[@victordeleon8412]

I’ll give you an update now. It cracked already. Not too bad but if you know of a more flexible material you should try it

[@Therealabedjoud]

@@victordeleon8412 use fiberglass

[@danhoy8356]

Next time try not to spread the foam. Let it harden and cut it off.... will be a lot cleaner! Great job!

[@victordeleon8412]

Yeah I figured that out about half way through the job lol

[@michaelmcdade4103]

I googled dash restoration for my 280z and I saw your dash and thought “looks like a ZX”

[@AJ-SIM-GAMING]

Well, now I knew how to fix my ol' 91 chevy S10 dashboard

[@hoodmukbangs9993]

I got a 91 S-10 that needs the dash redone to🤦🏽‍♀️

[@srizwan747]

So much effort... Awesome job

[@damianspicer169]

When you spray the foam,,,leave it alone,then cut the extra. It fills the cracks on its on.

[@victordeleon8412]

Yeah I figured that out finally after the first crack 😂

[@damianspicer169]

@@victordeleon8412 lol...stuff can make a mess trying to spreading it. I did the same thing first time using it.

[@bunabuna9287]

Thats amazing 👏 great work amigo.

[@sigfridoangulo2678]

Que horrible se ve

[@gerardolopez5875]

Asi es

[@davidtroia7426]

I dont like how flocking looks. I need to fix the cracks in my 93 Cadillac Eldorado dash & woodgrain. I need to learn another option once i fill the cracks & get it smooth.

[@sinformant]

Check out "sprayway customs" on youtube. He has greats vids on fixing cracked dashs.

[@sinformant]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGLHpYiIZbmtpKc

[@gerardolopez5875]

Fiberglass it

[@MrAbfam]

inspiring. Now for me to attempt my Golf mk2 dash which looks ten fold worse than yours God help me. love the music from beginning to end who is it?

[@victordeleon8412]

Good luck on your dash. I download my music from epidemicsound.com

[@MrJonline]

Nice job but sadly not what i would do on my damaged dash. I don't really like that flock finish, but your vid did inspire me and i watched it all to the end and smashed like! However i think you did the foam part a bit wrong. It doesn't look any different than common PUR/construction foam and it should expand to a uniform spongy like structure. The thing with the foam is when you start touching an smearing it like you did, it messes with the expanding properties and get all gooey and stringy. Having worked a lot with the stuff as a roofer i cringed a bit when i saw you starting tho smear it like a paste. Next time try and apply it deep and thick in the cracks and give it time to expand way over the edges and let it harden. Then after it has hardened your odd but seemingly effective use of a plastic breadknife to cut off the excess like you did seems fine. After removing sand it down and seal it with the bondo. In the end you did get a great result though!

[@Casey_Jones_]

Dang, I really hope the wheels that @Rickierunningsolo fixed for you are going on this car. I LOVE old Datsun's, I am about to become the newest owner of a '74 260z. GO DATSUN POWER!

[@victordeleon8412]

Yup, they’re going on here. That’s awesome you got a 260z, congrats

[@user-ey8js2pj1r]

@@victordeleon8412 ترجم الى العربيه 🌹

[@-alhirafi6425]

nice work my friend you are the best

[@jw11432]

I was hoping for something else. I saw the video you referenced and didn't like the texture, it just doesn't look like what a dash should look like in my opinion. I think a better option would have been to put down a layer of 1/8" rubber foam sheet, then marine vinyl on top of that (best UV resistant material that's easily found), not to mention the appealing texture that more closely resembles what you'd expect a dash to look like.

[@tanhuutinh]

Nice job...

[@thehustler2868]

Can you tell what products you used and its nature because i live in another country and it's not called the same, by the way you did an amazing job.

[@victordeleon8412]

Products are linked in description besides the Bondo

[@mohmoudfarah1897]

You did a great job; bravo!

[@gonulacar6641]

Wonderful

[@OldSkoolF]

Good job kid...

[@rocknrobin4022]

I don't see it lasting with temp changes

[@victordeleon8412]

I live in California, we don't have dramatic tep changes here

[@PB8man]

If you're going to take the time to spray the surface with cleaner before you paint it... wear rubber gloves. You wiped off all the dust and oil, then introduced new oils from your hand.

[@yodahassoda]

You're doing a good job but you need to use a block sander so you can get an even sand other thing is bondo and harder need to be mix until total color change happens it sands better too

[@victordeleon8412]

Thanks for the tip!

[@guillermonieri4203]

Good job. Thank you.

[@victordeleon8412]

🤙🙏

[@noelflores7489]

Datsun 280zx todo bien nada mas procura utilizar un bono de poliester no utilizar el bono de carrocerías por las vibraciónes saludos

[@2Skinny]

Wasn't there feedback that that flocking is not UV stabilized and will deteriorate quickly?

[@victordeleon8412]

I totally forgot to mention that I bought the Nylon fiber kit which is supposed to be more resistant

[@user-xr5mx5wv8e]

My dream car is a 280zx, and I figure I might as well learn before I get it, right? So I look up how to fix a cracked dash and this pops up! Im having good luck today apparently

[@MexicaliBenchmark]

Get one as fast as you can, there is now some kind of Z fever and the prices are going up awfully, luckily I got my 260z

[@user-xr5mx5wv8e]

@@MexicaliBenchmark Hah, finally got one. Z31 turbo 5sp.

[@2000gashauler]

Good job. Looks good.

[@victordeleon8412]

Thank you

[@3novacane]

Beautiful job.

[@pauldalkin2573]

Good effort but I give it a year before its cracked and looking near as bad as when you started. Also the flock will pick up every tiny bit of dust and hairs that float about in the car so will need brushing or vacuuming often. I doubt it will take long before becomes worn and patchy. Might be a good idea searching for a good condition replacement.

[@victordeleon8412]

Easy to clean with a lint roller. But yeah it has cracked already, ill probably upholster my next projects.

[@helensloan9271]

Can someone help me restore my 1981 280zx dashboard? If not can you recommend someone.

[@yosoydpfknr2855]

Next time your best bet its to use bondo glass to fill up the cracks and then go with filler bondo or any brand of your choice

[@Maisonier]

It's possible to replace all the dashboard with a DIY fiber carbon redesigned dashboard? I'd love to move the ac air vents below and put an android stereo on the top

[@miragedelta]

Fabulous job bro

[@anthonybautovic8157]

Good job Nate but next time don’t use so much hardener in the Bondo

[@josephjoestar5444]

Never knew what the hell “flocked” was until this video. It’s different.

[@victordeleon8412]

Yeah the look isn't for everyone. Its more common in performance builds because the flock surface doesn't cause glare

[@user-lh5ld2ol3h]

You didn't put what you used in the description 😶👀 I would like to work on mine vehicle

[@carlosmata3527]

Nice job bro thank you for the idea

[@victordeleon8412]

🙏thanks man

[@bruce8429]

Whatever happened to the whole new dash" that was a carefully molded piece of plastic that fit over the old one. Are those no longer available. I lived where it was really hot and you needed on in just a few years when these cars were not old. I had several cars I put them on.

[@enriquerodriguez1523]

I wounder if the spray foam is that self rising kind if the bottle said it is the you could have done a home depot one that's what I'm planning for my dash rebuild. Either way you did a good job👌

[@Quweezer]

I think when he tried to smooth the foam out with a spreader it messes with the way the foam rises and sets. Cause if he just left it he could have just applied the foam once and used the flexi bondo to fill much smaller holes once cutting it flush with the rest of the dash

[@Quweezer]

Great end result either way though

[@msteen6407]

Maybe you should've set the dash where your repairs were level

[@panoscharos983]

Regards from Athens Greece..

[@JohnnieBravo1]

Great job. Looks a thousand times better than it did. (I'm betting that polyurethane foam is same as great stuff from your local indoor lumber yard stores....Looks same, comes out same, cuts the same).

[@jerryhouck2708]

great vid----thanx!

[@aldomoronelson4945]

Good job

[@saniok0791]

Пену вверх ногами держать надо епт🙄

[@stevenclay9573]

Great work Thanks for the video I learned alot

[@jeremymass2770]

Pretty sure you're supposed to let the foam expand out

[@andysaunders3708]

And paper plates are the worst for mixing "Bondo" on - they have a wax coating, so the stuff adheres at random.

[@manuelcampos4127]

todo un maestro 👏 buen video 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@user-eq9sz7un2n]

Hi man, At The minute 19:7 , what is the name of the substance In a yellow cylindrical box that you sprayed on the dash? Pls

[@victordeleon8412]

Flockit. The link is in the description

[@user-eq9sz7un2n]

@@victordeleon8412 thanks bro

[@abusalahalsalah5354]

Good job 👋👋👍👍🌹

[@victordeleon8412]

🙏

[@joanmagnusmagnusson5896]

Kudos for the work :)

[@ryanbaylosis3442]

Nice work bro!!!

[@vilangel78]

No me gustó el resultado final...

[@Robb92]

How is the repair working for you now? Any cracks or problems?

[@victordeleon8412]

Yeah some small cracks came back. A different material other than bondo that can withstand heat should be used if youre trying to do it

[@user-sk1hg4jm1v]

Колхоз он и в Африке колхоз мог бы и лучше зделать, какой то не оправданный стрëм

[@divineintervention212]

Your not suppose to use a spreader on foam. Let it naturally rise and then cut off the excess material. It came out good though even with spreading the foam.

[@28282222]

That dash looks nice…compared to mine.

[@faunuslabyrinthum8459]

hello, please write down the names of the materials you used. I could not make out a lot. I watch you from Russia!

[@victordeleon8412]

Materials are listed in the description

[@angelchiriboga3904]

Mod was nicely done- but I was expecting a restoration. Using Latex,

[@mrlondon963]

Hard work, but great work. Very informative, thank you.

[@willwork2fish261]

What type of bondo did you use the first time? I have a huge thing of it that I did on my project truck on sone dents on the body… wonder if the stuff I have would be about the same

[@christophertomes6777]

so whats the shelf life of the flock? How do you maintain/clean it? At least with regular dashes you can put 303 on it, or other UV protection to slow down weathering.

[@victordeleon8412]

I bought the nylon flock which is resistant to breaking down from UV. You can either cover the dash when not driving it or use a lint roller or masking tape to remove dust/lint

[@josephwiese3937]

You overworked it while it was wet. Just fill it in, let it expand & harden, then trim it.Yes. it is the same as house crack filler foam

[@richochett404]

In other words.......you got ganked on the foam. Good job.

[@josephwiese3937]

@@richochett404 LOL

[@endall6783]

I just started watching but had to start over 2 or 3 times. The car is it left hand or right hand drive ?

[@victordeleon8412]

Lol its left hand drive. I was filming on my phone for some parts and it flipped the screen

[@cAspR0372]

‘The best thing I have is this plastic knife’ 😂😂

[@victordeleon8412]

Just boot legging it here. Not a professional shop 😂🤷‍♂️

[@saqeebkhan3668]

Where did you get that mesh cover you screwed over the speaker hole?

[@dennysgarage]

You re super cool bro

[@jazielefrainramirezramirez1415]

Cómo se llama el spray que usas para rellenar? Por favor

[@Hi-lb8cq]

Can't find a dashboard for a 1996 Hyundai accent hatchback