1979 Dodge truck.
I need to fill in some cracks on my glove box door. Anybody attempted this before?

I am looking for tips. What to use for filler and how to get the textured look in those areas.

I have watched some You Tube videos, and most use spray foam flex fill. My cracks are not to deep about 1/2 inch. and then Bondo.

Any advice or tips are appreciated.

Can you order a new one from a local Dodge dealer?

Hmmm, didn't thank about that. I wouldn't think a 45 year old part wouldn't be stocked.

Ask the parts person if it might be available in the "archives" parts list? I think that's what (he called it?) or where about six months ago the local parts person said he got a couple of '90's parts for me. Back to the '70's may be tough but worth a try. Wonder if one of those dash pad restoration places could restore it or offers that service?

What color is it ? Kevin

Mine is Tan.

Found three so far. Two on Ebay, one is $349 and the other is $174.99 (green)

These guys have a few starting at $150 http://mopartruckparts.com/group-09.html

Mine is not that bad and was trying to do it cheaply....

....

Buddy, I'd say that's smoked...but IIRC, they were in direct UV light all the time, so I wonder if any nice ones are left.
The big problem for me with vinyl repair is getting the grain right; I've never been satisfied with my results when I've tried it.
I wonder if anyone has made a dash-cap kinda thing for that, though the word is they're not great either...

Haha, it not as bad a most I see.

Like you, texture is my biggest issue. I have watched a few people try to match it, Eastwood sells texture cards, and another guy uses hot glue and disc to create it. Neither looks like they could do a large section at one time.

I ordered a texture spray from Eastwood, I am going to try it on a scrap piece I have, it won't look like original but if I do the dash pad and glove box door they well look the same. I am not going for the concourse look luckily.

Maybe asked Just Dashes if they can or who they may recommend?

https://www.justdashes.com/

I need to talk to them about buying my dash core as well.

Finally got some time to work on the dash.

After watching a bunch of videos on restoring dashes and door panels I put together a game plan.

I started with the instrument cover pad. After assessing its condition, after a through cleaning with Purple Power, scrubbed brushed and Green Brillo pad, then a soapy water wash. It had mainly scratches that went through the original texture and a chalky finish. I could have given it a light sanding and painted it, but I wouldn't be happy with the finished project.

So, I wet sanded it with a 400 grit foam sanding pad until the scratches and chalkiness was removed, as well as about 90% of the original texture.

I left some areas that where in good condition with the original texture to have a place to compare the new texture with the original. See pictures.

After watching the videos a few people used SEM Texture Coating 20 oz Can with 16 oz Fill Aerosol Can 39853 with good results. https://www.eastwood.com/sem-texture-coating-20-oz-aerosol-can-39853.html

So, on to step two. I cleaned the pad again and wiped it down with wax and grease remover. I did a couple of test sprays on some cardboard to get a fell for the product and how it sprayed.

Distance a speed are your friends with this product. I held the can about 16 to 18 inches away from the panel and gave it a light coating moving rather quickly to just fog the pad. sorry no picture of that.

The product said 3 to 5 minutes between coats. So coat two I gave it a heaver spray move slower until there was little of the original color left showing. First picture.

I thought it was okay, but the texture was rough to the feel so I wet sanded it with 800 grit paper, very lightly just to knock down the high points. second picture.

Part three:

I could have it at this point and been happy with the results. But I new I could do better.

Another cleaning with wax and grease remover. I again sprayed the pad focusing on getting an even texture with a wetter coat. It took to more passes.

I think the results turned out nice. Yes it is not factory texture. But even texture with no shinny or bare spots.

Part four:

I purchased my dash pad paint from LMC Truck, light tan. It is lighter that what the pad was from the factory, even though they state it is the same a factory color. Not a big issue for me, but thought I would bring it to everyone attention.

Note, some people used adhesion promoter on the texture coat. I followed the manufactures recommendation and didn't.

After letting it to dry, the texture product said to apply top coat with in 15 minutes. I sprayed the pad with adhesion promoter (which said to apply the top coat within 10 minutes).

I sprayed the first coat of color by just barley fogging the pad. Let that flash for 5 minutes and applied a second coat, again just fogging the pad. You could still see a little black on the pad.

I let that flash for 5 minutes and applied the third coat, heaver this time. No more black visible on the pad. After letting it flash again for 5 minutes I applied the final coat, working on getting a nice even coat.

I think it turned out great. I will get a overall picture when it is fully dried. I wanted closeups of the pad in the same spot so you could see the results for yourself.

Completely dry.

Now I just need to start on the glove box pad.

I think what you've done there is very respectable!
I have a question. If there is enough"texture" would a light sanding to take off the very highest spots replicate the original grain?
Over the years I've messed around with different techniques during restoration of all sorts of antiques and parts.

Okay, on to the glove box.

After watching a few videos on the subject. There are a few ways to fill in the gaps. With welding plastic, High Density Foam, or silicone. I went with the high density foam route.

First step was to grind out the broken/cracked areas. I used my Dremel and a cone shaped grinding stone. I only removed enough materiel to eliminate the damaged plastic and dried out foam. I then beveled the edges some to make for a better transition.

This is what I started with.

After grinding out the areas.

Filled with high density foam.

I tried two methods for filling the gaps. Spay the foam on a piece of hard plastic and the spread it with a squeegee (poor results) and direct spraying into the cracks (better) Since may cracks were small, I barely pulled the trigger to control the amount of foam.

After drying for four hours. I used a cooping saw to remove the excess foam and then sanded it with 120 grit foam sanding block until smooth.

Next comes filling in the areas with Bondo.....on another day.

I was wondering how that was coming along...and the dash looks nice !

I'm also wondering if bondo is the best for the door, because it'll cure hard, not flexible...

Thanks, it has been a good learning experience.

I agree the bondo is going to be hard. But all the videos and reading I have done suggest it and they used it. So we will see. They do make a plastic bondo

Still trying to decide if I use it or go with what I already have on hand,

https://www.amazon.com/Polyvance-2050-9-Padded-Dash-Filler/dp/B0002JKE6Y

as i know virtually nothing about "body work", i think i would use the bondo recommended for plastic.
my thoughts on this is, regular bondo would not expand and contract the same as the glove box door, thus breaking the bond between the repair and causing cracks to re-form. how long this would take to happen, i don't have a clue.
the bondo for plastic should share the characteristics of the glove box door material much better, making for a longer lasting repair.
just my thoughts on this matter.
your mileage will vary.

After sleeping on it, and thinking the same thing. I ordered the plastic bondo and prep adhesive, the bondo maker recommends. It is going to set me back a week waiting for it to arrive (as no one around my area has it).

I am happy I went with the spray foam as it has give in it like the original foam.

Like I said, this has been a good learning experience so I am open to all comments and suggestion.