Dash Repair Methods
 

On my 782D and 1572, the dash is starting to wear pretty badly where the grommet from the hood rubs on the dash when closed. In a couple of spots it has worn through. What are some time proven methods for repairing this wear? I was even contempating using J & B Weld along with a bondo spreader to fill in the gap, then paint it black. I figure if the J & B is rugged enough to tap and drill, maybe it will hold up better than the plastic that was there. ideas?

I JB'd my 1872 a year ago. I had "almost" through holes.

Looks good so far.

I did it on a warm day. The JB flowed real nice, giving a great surface finish.

For the vertical sides, I let the JB set for 30 minutes before applying. Again, I got smooth surface flow.

Hope you have access to a heated garage in MA, I spent a couple years in Wilmington.

If I would have had through holes, I would have used Fiberglas cloth.

Most use fiberglas cloth. Never heard of the JB weld trick but if it works that's all that matters.:beer2:

Here's what I did.

My 882 dash was trash, then I saw Matt G's repair method and figured I would give it a try. It's not complete yet and it needs a few more layers of JB applied, sanded and painted black. I don't know if it will hold up to the vibration but I'm going to see if I can support the hood off of something else under there.

Oak, that dash looks like you could park a smoker engine on it, good job.

When I "rehooded" my Cyclops with a metal hood, there was nothing to hold the hood up.

I fabricated the "L" shaped bracket that bolts under the oil filter and goes up over the battery.

Attachment 17716

The black covering is some material I found that was supposed to be used as a shovel handle cover.

The hood is quiet.

Matt G that is a real nice doc you have there on repairing the dash. I think I'm still going to use J & B as it seems to be as strong as steel. I had a tab that brok off of the recoil cover on an old Poulin chainsaw that was given to me. I put J & B in the edge where the tab broke off, then let is set for a couple of days for max strength. After that I put in more J & B behind the crack for more strength. Never had a problem with it again.

CADPlans, are you happy with the way the J & B is wearing? Is it bonding good to the plastic with no delamination? Do you see the silver of the J & B as the paint wears off? Luckily, I have the dash off and will be "refurbing" it in the cellar where I can get it warmer with the wood stove as needed so normal New England cold shouldn't be a problem.

I carefully put the JB only where the hood covered. I did not paint it at all.

The JB is holding and not wearing, I'm happy, I just do not look that way when the hood is up. Why would I? I got a pretty engine to keep my attention!! :biggrin2:

CADplans, I figured that with the JB weld being a harder material, it could hold up better. Not only do I have the "ridge" caused but the hood rubbing, but the actual edge of the dash where where the 90 degree bend is that forms a flange all the way around where the hood hits, is worn down paper thin at the bottom edges. That will be fun to build back up.