Re-skinning dashboards

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James - 02 Nov 2007 22:55 GMT

The dash on my 1990 318is is badly cracked.
I've had plastic welding done on it, and it didn't help - it just split
next to the welds.

Has anyone had their dash re-skinned? Was it successful?

Does anyone know if there is anyone in Australia who does a good job
reskinning BMW dashes?

Currently I have a dash mat covering the mess, but the splits are now
extending past the edge of the mat.

Thanks

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hsg@h-gee.co.uk - 03 Nov 2007 16:28 GMT

>The dash on my 1990 318is is badly cracked.
>I've had plastic welding done on it, and it didn't help - it just split
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
>Thanks

Dash boards are NOT skinned unless from a hot-rod shop. The dash is usually a
one-piece polyurethane foam moulding with a PVC skin - all made at the same
time. NEW is the only answer but can I suggest that you regularly "oil" the
vinyl with vinyl care products. the blue film you get on the insides of the car
windows is due to the oils evaporating from the interior plastics, seats, dash,
door moulding, carpets. the dash and door panels get more heat from the sun
than the seats (usually leather or cloth) and therefore have more oil to loose
as they are made very soft and when the oil goes they get very stiff and crack -
viz early 1970 GM cars.

Sorry mate no cure except replace.

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Sir Hugh of Bognor

The difference between men and boys is the price of their toys.

Intelligence is not knowing the answer but knowing where and how to find it!

Hugh Gundersen
hsg@h-gee.co.uk
Bognor Regis, W.Sussex, England, UK

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James - 05 Nov 2007 10:21 GMT

That's a shame. I rang BMW today. A replacement dash is AU$1400. That's
around a quarter of what a fair condition 1990 318is would sell for. I
don't think they'll sell too many :) But the sales guy said I was better
off than the Z3 owner who recently asked for about a new dash. It was
around $8,000!

I guess I'll stick with the dash cover.

When I first got the car I used to use Armor All, a vinyl cleaner on the
dash, but stopped when I heard it did more damage than good. I just left
the dash as it was for 8 years or so, getting the cracks plastic welded
twice. OK. That sounds like it was a bad decision.

At least everyone outside will see a nice car after I get it resprayed.
It's a pity I sit inside and get to see the cracks lurking under the dash
mat.

BTW. I agree with your sig block. Newsgroups are a great way to find
answers from people who have actually had the problems. Thanks all.

> On Sat, 3 Nov 2007 08:55:40 +1100, "James"
> <jdeakinsREMOVETHISBIT@pcug.org.au>
[quoted text clipped - 33 lines]
>
> Sorry mate no cure except replace.

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adder1969 - 05 Nov 2007 13:14 GMT

> That's a shame. I rang BMW today. A replacement dash is AU$1400. That's
> around a quarter of what a fair condition 1990 318is would sell for. I
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>
> I guess I'll stick with the dash cover.

Surely you must be able to ship in a used dash in good condition from
somewhere!

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hsg@h-gee.co.uk - 05 Nov 2007 20:24 GMT

>> That's a shame. I rang BMW today. A replacement dash is AU$1400. That's
>> around a quarter of what a fair condition 1990 318is would sell for. I
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>Surely you must be able to ship in a used dash in good condition from
>somewhere!

Remember the car is probably RHD so he is limited to where it can come from. UK,
Japan, Australia?, Singapore, India, Russia -----------

Remember eBay is world wide but you have to ask to look at the other countries
now.

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