OEM Dash Repair - Not Replacement

[zonker]

We have an '07 GX with 95k on the odo. Unfortunately the dash cracked as soon as we moved to Nevada a couple of months ago. Of course we went the whole route of trying to get Lexus to accommodate us and replace it. Even more unfortunately.. we have been turned down all the way to the top.

So instead of replacing with an OEM if we could get one.. we have decided to pursue a repair if possible. Does anyone have any experience with such an adventure? Have heard that there are talented craftsman out in the world that can perform this type of surgery. However we do not have any names or tidbits to begin our search.

Any Mud members have any suggestions as to where to look and what rocks we could turn over? Our closest metropolitan area would be Reno, NV. For the right quality job we would be more than happy to put some miles on the tires. We are just quite tired of looking at that poor dash pad!

Any suggestions or leads appreciated!

 

[BukkakeAisu]

I'm attempting to repair the cracks/melted points in mine with a moldable glue. They sell a pack of black and white on amazon that allows you to mix to match the color. I'll post pics once I have time to attempt it.

 

[GXO]

Sugru?

 

[BukkakeAisu]

Sugru?

Yep, for at least what I'm dealing with, I think I can make it work.

 

[Bluetribal]

Aren’t you just able to take it in and pay for a new replacement?

Or if you are fairly handy you can buy a new dash and swap it out. I have successfully pulled out two 80 Series dashes, it’s not fun but doable.

 

[marcfj60]

This reminds me of the good old days of owning Japanese cars built in the 70's and 80's when the dashes were cracked within 5 years. The easy fix was to put a carpeted dash mat on them to cover up the ugliness. Swap something more ugly with something a little less ugly.

 

[470SNC]

lol I just put a covercraft suede mat on it and forget about it

 

[zonker]

Thanks for the replies.. much appreciated. It just doesn't sit well with me that a dash on a modern premium vehicle should crack.. ALL the way across. Yep I could easily buy the dash pad and install it myself as that is not outside of my skill set. However I am a little reluctant to replace with a new OEM and have another failure.. especially on a part that comes in around $800.

So unless I can find a craftsman that can perform great looking surgery.. it will be a DashTopper all the way. Just like many years back.

 

[BukkakeAisu]

Yep, the replacements are crazy $$ and likely to suffer the same fate so....

Mine isn't cracked all the way across, just minor cracks here and there plus a few areas where it is "melted" off down to the foam.

 

[GXO]

The new dashes are a new formula if it helps. I got mine done in the recall.

 

[BukkakeAisu]

The new dashes are a new formula if it helps. I got mine done in the recall.

Are you sure about this?

(even so, mine is a RHD Prado so may not be the same here)

 

[ArBrnSnpr]

I used to work at a body shop and would see one of the techs repair the covers where passenger side airbags would deploy from.

The car would come in with a large tear in the dash, get a new airbag, then leave looking new. The tech used a vinyl glue/putty had color match additive like this:
https://www.amazon.com/Liquid-Leath...ocphy=9032828&hvtargid=pla-314923102732&psc=1

But professional grade.

It always looked flawless when it left the shop.

You could always use a microfiber/suede fabric and spray adhesive to recover it yourself too. Just remember to leave a path for the passenger airbag

 

[BukkakeAisu]

That stuff looks like a good idea too, was worried about how to add the texture to the larger repair areas.

 

[LaserNomad]

That stuff looks like a good idea too, was worried about how to add the texture to the larger repair areas.

mix up some sugru oil up a section of your dash the length of the crack you are going to try to texture, slather on the goop let it harden now you have a giant texture stamp. Put on your patch material then texture it with your giant stamp...

 

[BukkakeAisu]

That's what I was planning on doing but for the cost of the vinyl repair kits above, I figured I'd save the time/trouble and just try those first.