convertible plastic interior repair

I'm thinking about trying to repair the plastic interior panels on my 68 Dart convertible. Reproductions are very expensive.

First of all, are the panels made out of the same plastic as the E-body L/R lower dash trim? On my Challenger, I was able to heat up the right hand lower dash trim and move it slightly to better fit the aftermarket dash pad. Can I do this to the convertible panels? The leading edge of one panel is warped where it wraps around the lip at the back of the door opening. I was hoping I could heat up the area and move it back into place.

Second, how should I go about fixing cracks and pieces missing? One panel is in decent shape with only a slight crack in the sill plate area. The other has a chunk out at the top. I have most of the pieces that broke out. How would I go about reattaching them? I assume I need to reinforce the area on the back side? I was thinking that the broken area will be partially hidden with the top boot installed.

I wanted to fix mine and skip the expense of repro, but the labor and time in repair work probably would have eclipsed the cost of repro. I bought mine many years ago, still havent installed yet. Getting closer though.

The smooth part I just used fibreglass to repair cracks and missing pieces, you have to grind out the cracks a bit, i also roughed up the underside of the cracks and added fiberglass resin and reinforced with (gorilla hair) mat. Really strong and then you just finish with some bondo, primer then paint interior color. One of my panels on the botom part (grain) had a crack that was very fine so I justvreinforced it from back side and re dyed in semi black and is gardly noticable. I have a set of trashed panels that I molded in 3 component speakers with fleese and fiberglass resin and painted the bottom (grain side) with a speckle paint that gives it a rough surface and resembles grain, then dyed it black, had tons of compliments on how it was done.

pic

That turned out nice! I've never worked with fiberglass before. That sounds like the best way to reinforce the back side though. I think it's worth trying to fix them. I'm really not out much if I fail at it. My time is free. I'll have to read up on working with fiberglass.

Its really easy to work with, if there is a crack or hole cover the outside with masking tape and fill from the backside when it dries the masking tape will pull right off and the all you have to do is finish it off with a bit of filler.

crlush... great panel. That is exactly how I re-did my panels many, many years ago. I did it just like body work. To bridge a big hole, scuff the back of the panels, soak a piece of fiberglass in the fiberglass resin and bridge the gap. Fill it from the front side with bondo, sand & re-paint. Thank God I didn't have any texture in my panels where the cracks were...the smooth parts are pretty easy.