new 2/29/2004
Can anyone recommend the type of glue to use for a dash repair? The padded
portion of the dash that runs the dash in front of the steering wheel has
lifted up. I tried gluing it with polyurethane glue along the leading edge
that this padded piece overlaps, but the bond did not hold long. Maybe
rubber cement?
John S
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I tried rubber cement (even the industrial kind that gives you tumors!) and even that didn't hold very long.
The answer is 3M Super Weatherstrip Adhesive. Let the dash heat up on a sunny afternoon (heat guns can blister the dash very quickly) and once it is fairly pliable, pry the cover back as far as you can. Use a screwdriver handle or something to prop the dash cover up as you
apply the adhesive to both surfaces. Be liberal with the adhesive, since the mating surfaces aren't perfectly flat. Let it sit for about 10 minutes or so. Then remove the screwdriver (or whatever you used) and press the dash cover down. You will need to squeeze the two parts together and hold it firmly for at least 5 minutes. Pay special attention to the front edge, where the cover rolls over to the underside of the dash. You can then use a brick or two to hold it down for an hour or so, so the adhesive can cure completely.
This method works, but it will not look perfect, as the dash cover has shrunk a bit and there will be a small gap on that front edge. You might want to use a bead of black silicone adhesive across the front edge to make it look a little better.
Dan Carman
97 PG
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00-20-3
INSTRUMENT PANEL - SEPARATION OF UPPER AND LOWER LAYERS - REPAIR TIPS
Publication Date: SEPTEMBER 21, 2000
FORD:
1996-99 TAURUS
MERCURY:
1996-99 SABLE
This article is being republished in its entirety to update the contact
phone numbers.
ISSUE:
Some vehicles may experience a separation between layers of the instrument
panel. This is most commonly seen over the instrument cluster. The
instrument panel may appear to be raised in this area.
ACTION:
Adhere the upper layer to the lower layer using Loctite 410 Black Max,
available in 3 gram tube (part number 41004) or 20 gram bottle (part number
41045). Obtain Loctite supplies locally. Refer to the following Service
Procedure for details.
NOTE: LOCTITE BLACK MAX HAS A SHELF LIFE OF 3 MONTHS WHEN STORED AT ROOM
TEMPERATURE. TO PROLONG SHELF LIFE UP TO 12 MONTHS, REFRIGERATE UNUSED
PRODUCT AT 4°C (40°F). TO DETERMINE WHEN THE PRODUCT WAS MANUFACTURED, LOOK
AT THE FIRST TWO CHARACTERS OF THE LOT CODE ON THE CONTAINER. SAMPLE LOT
CODE 4HP303A2:
4 = last digit in year of manufacture
H = month within year of manufacture (A = January, B = February, etc.)
P = Packager location code
303A2 = Batch number (can be three to five characters)
NOTE: LOCTITE BLACK MAX MAY BE OBTAINED IN THE UNITED STATES BY CALLING
PERMATEX: 1-877-376-2839 (8am-5pm EST) OR FAX PERMATEX AT 1-800-432-2067.
INCLUDE DEALERSHIP NAME, ADDRESS, CONTACT PERSON, AND QUANTITY FOR FAX
ORDERS. CANADIAN DEALERS CALL 1-800-924-6994 (8am-5pm EST) OR FAX
1-905-814-1256. THE MATERIAL WILL BE SHIPPED C.O.D. DEALERS OUTSIDE THE U.S.
MAY OBTAIN LOCTITE BLACK MAX BY CONTACTING THE FOLLOWING DISTRIBUTORS:
Japan 15-13 Fukuura 1 - Chrome Kanazawa-Ku, Yokohama 236 Japan Phone
81-45-784-2500
Puerto Rico 9 V. Quilinchini Ave. P.O Box 669, Sabana Grande, PR 00637 Phone
787-873 6500
Middle East P.O. Box 29073 Dubai, UAE Phone 971-4-519 499
Costa Rica P.O. Box 7 -- 1007 Centro Colon San Jose, Costa Rica Phone 506
256 3232
Information on additional Loctite distributors globally may be obtained from
www.loctite.com .
SERVICE PROCEDURE
NOTE: THE UPPER LAYER OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL IS EASIEST TO MANIPULATE WHEN
WARM, SO ALLOW VEHICLE TO STAND IN SUNLIGHT FOR 3-4 HOURS PRIOR TO REPAIR.
DO NOT USE A HEAT GUN TO WARM THE UPPER LAYER, AS THIS WILL CAUSE THE VINYL
SKIN TO BUBBLE AND BLISTER.
Place the steering wheel in the lowest possible position.
Remove the black trim ring that surrounds the instrument cluster.
NOTE: BE SURE TO COVER THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND STEERING COLUMN WITH A
CLEAN SHOP CLOTH TO PREVENT EXCESS ADHESIVE FROM DRIPPING ON THESE PIECES.
NOTE: BE CAREFUL NOT TO BEND THE UPPER LAYER TOO FAR BACK AS THIS WILL CAUSE
A PERMANENT MARK ON THE VINYL SKIN.
Use soft wood shims to hold the upper layer approximately 5mm away from the
lower layer to allow access.
Gently roughen the surfaces to be bonded, using a file or emery cloth.
Remove any loose debris and clean areas to be adhered using isopropyl
alcohol.
Apply adhesive, pushing the nozzle down as far as possible into the opening
between the two layers and ensuring that the adhesive reaches the rear of
the affected area. Apply an even coating of adhesive, from back to front.
Press the upper and lower layers together and wipe any excess that may
extrude between the two layers of the instrument panel with a clean shop
cloth. Be careful not to let extruding adhesive drip onto any other interior
components.
NOTE: CLEAN THE EXCESS ADHESIVE THOROUGHLY USING NAIL POLISH REMOVER OR
CYBERBOND UNDO 6010, AS EXCESS ADHESIVE WILL CAUSE THE BLACK TRIM RING TO
PERMANENTLY ADHERE AND PREVENT ACCESS TO THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER IN THE
FUTURE.
Place a piece of masking tape from the dashboard, down around the steering
column, and back to the dashboard to hold the upper layer in place while the
adhesive cures (about 2 hours).
Reinstall the black trim ring.