DIY dashboard repair

Cars that have been in an accident often require major repairs. Since in a collision there is a shot of airbags, one of the activities for restoring a car is to repair the front panel. Of course, it is much easier to replace the old panel with a new one. However, not every motorist has extra funds to buy a new element, which is why many decide to make an independent repair. In addition, an accident is not always a fundamental factor in repairing the front panel of a car; sometimes the car owner decides to update the front panel, which, due to active use, has many scratches and chips. Some drivers do the hauling or painting of the front dashboard with their own hands, only to change the overall appearance of the car's interior to their liking.

Despite the fact that the repair of a dashboard on a car will be done by hand, the methods of work have some differences among themselves.

Currently, each of the presented methods is popular with car owners. However, in order to glue the panel with a film or tighten it with leather, you need not only a specially suitable material for this, but also a certain work experience. Without experience, it will be pointless to restore the front panel, since later, when using the film, bubbles will appear in some places, and unaesthetic folds may form on the panel when tightening with skin. Therefore, to restore the general appearance of the front panel with your own hands, the most practical way is to paint a car dashboard.

Drivers who plan to paint the instrument panel on their own should remember that special materials should be used when painting, which, when interacting with plastic, will not react and emit harmful substances that can have a detrimental effect on both the driver and passengers of the car ...

Any work on the restoration or repair of a car requires careful preparation. The work on the restoration of the car dash is no exception.

On a note! To keep the interior not only clean, but also not to collect odors that remain after painting the panel, it is better to dismantle the front panel from the car.

After removing the dashboard from the car, you need to process the plastic. This is done in order to prevent the paint from peeling off after a certain period of time. First of all, the panel is thoroughly washed with soapy water or special car shampoo. After drying, the surface must be treated with any degreasing agent. After that, you need to start grinding the car dashboard. It is imperative to perform such an operation, since with the help of grinding it is possible to eliminate invisible temporary irregularities. Sanding dust is removed with sticky napkins or rags.

Novice drivers should remember that sanding will be much better done if the sandpaper is soaked in cold water for a quarter of an hour before work.

The next stage of the preparatory work for painting will be the priming of the torpedo. The primer is best done with aerosol products, since they not only perfectly fit the plastic, but also preserve its durability. After that, degreasing is carried out again.

Dashboards on cars are painted with special paints.For painting with your own hands, you will need a spray gun, with the help of which paint will be sprayed at a distance of 15–20 cm from the surface. It is worth noting that it is impractical to use spray cans for painting a dashboard, since with the help of them the paint will not be sprayed evenly. It is best to paint in a designated area or in a well-ventilated, clean box.

The panel is painted in three layers. The first layer allows you to identify small errors that were made during grinding. It is applied with a minimum of overlaps. The detected irregularities are removed on the wet layer. If no blemishes are visible, a second coat should be applied. The main feature is as follows, the next layer of paint is applied to the first, which has not yet dried. The finishing coat should be applied in the same way as the first, without overlaps. Drying the torpedo will take several days.

When painting, the most important thing to remember for the car owner is the correct choice of color that will be used for the front panel. Gloss or matte paint can be used, but gloss on sunny days will increase the strain on the driver's eyes. Many experts assure that the use of varnish will also negatively affect the driver's organs of vision, therefore it is advisable to use matte colors, slightly lighter than the interior color.

Thus, you can be sure that painting the front panel is not such a difficult task that requires special skills. You just need a good tool, desire and patience. Having all this, the car owner can perform high-quality repairs with his own hands. If there is a desire to update the dashboard with leather or film, but there is no work experience, it is better to spend a little money on paying for the services of a specialized service.

The passive safety system in the form of airbags is triggered in the event of a strong impact of the car in the forehead or from the side against another object. Regardless of the speed of the movement, the engagement of the SRS is also influenced by the impact angle, the stiffness of the collision object and the vehicle coverage. As a result, deployed airbags destroy the vehicle dashboard.

By the combination of the above factors, it becomes clear that an accident can cause minimal damage, and can have catastrophic consequences for your transport. Therefore, the choice of a repair method - independent or professional - will depend on the total amount of damage.

It will be better to restore the torpedo of a heavily damaged vehicle in a car repair shop. According to the most conservative estimates, such a service will cost from 5 to 10 thousand rubles. depending on the region. The cost will be influenced by the quality of the selected materials and the amount of restoration work, and the final amount may exceed 25 thousand rubles.

If, as a result of a traffic accident, the car is not badly damaged from the inside and is functioning quite stably, and you have enough manual labor skills and patience, then you can independently restore the torpedo after the airbags are deployed.

There are three main approaches to repairing a dashboard after an airbag has deployed:

• Functional repairs to dashboards include mechanical restorations. The dashboard and steering wheel are installed in place, and new airbags are mounted under them. After that, the program resets the information about the actuation of the pillows;
• Full repair of the dashboard of the cabin includes not only mechanical repairs, but also aesthetic ones. The console is dismantled, a complete hauling is carried out using the selected materials, a new SRS complex is inserted under the steering wheel and covers and reprogramming is carried out. This method makes it possible not only to recreate the transport security system, but also to change its internal appearance;
• Rough repairs are suitable for cases where the car has received minimal damage and does not need serious restoration procedures. In this case, the holes where the pillows used to be are filled with polyurethane foam, and the covers are installed in their original place. This method is bad in that in the event of a new accident, the SRS complex will not work, because there will be nothing to work. By resorting to the third type of repair, you endanger not only your life, but also the lives of your passengers.

When choosing a material for a constriction, car owners, as a rule, choose between four main options - vinyl, eco-leather, alcantara and genuine leather. Vinyl is more commonly used for covers and is not a good choice for a console cover for purely aesthetic reasons. Eco-leather and alcantara generally have a low degree of melting, therefore, at elevated temperatures, they will instantly begin to "slip".

Genuine leather is the most suitable option if you decide to cover the console.

Another essential element will be glue. It is better to buy high-temperature glue. To dilute it, you need acetone and an activator. As a rule, diluted glue is enough for 5-6 hours, then it begins to harden, its adhesive ability deteriorates, and bubbles appear on the surface.

The third substance used in the repair is putty or primer, which is necessary to cover the surfaces to be cleaned. It can be selected at any auto store and most mid-range brands do their job well.

From tools, a hairdryer, brushes, brushes for applying glue, a degreaser, a plastic spatula, a knife, and threads can be useful.

Car dashboard repair is carried out according to the following instructions:

• Dismantling the console. Carefully, without damaging the electronics, dismantle the front console and remove any old material from it, if any. Then rinse the panel thoroughly with detergent and a brush.
• The new material will add an extra size to the torpedo, because of which the panel risks not falling into place, and the devices will not fit into the holes. To prevent this from happening, file the edges of the holes 1–3 mm, taking into account the thickness of the covering material.
• Make patterns for the new panel. Remember to place the seams on the bends of the console. Also, do not forget about the seam allowance (8-10 mm).

• Sew the material on the pattern and try it on the panel. Try to put the "dressed" torpedo in place. If everything fits perfectly and there is no empty space between the devices and the bends, then you can proceed to the fifth stage. If the panel does not fit in any place, then try to file the folds a little more. If voids appear between the panel and the devices, additional millimeters can be built up using silicone grease or thermoplastic.
• All damages on the surface of the console are sanded and treated with a primer, and the places of fractures are cleaned, leveled and processed with putty.
• Before pasting, the panel is treated with a degreaser and wiped with acetone or alcohol.
• Next, gluing is done. They do it starting from the top of the console and moving towards the bottom. After applying the glue, the material is applied and carefully leveled with a rubber trowel. You can use a hair dryer to stretch the material.
• Before the final installation of the console, the airbags are mounted, the program is reset.
• Two days later, when the glue is finally set, the torpedo is installed in its original place.

It is important to remember that poor-quality treatment of fracture sites in the event of a repeated accident threatens to damage the face with spalling pieces of putty and plastic. Also, do not place any objects in place of the airbag covers - in a collision, they will also fly into the faces of the driver and passenger.

In this video, you will learn how to drag a torpedo with your skin.

A car torpedo or dashboard is a panel located in the front compartment that houses instruments, controls and a steering wheel. It is made of high density plastics.

Dashboard refurbishment and painting
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A torpedo in a car is damaged as a result of an accident, from constant contact with the hands of the driver and passengers, and various objects that are casually thrown at it. If the front panel of the car has lost its appearance, you can replace or restore it. At disassembly and in stores, these parts are expensive, moreover, it is not always possible to find suitable components for old car models. Several methods are used to restore the instrument panel with our own hands, we will consider them and dwell on the most popular option - staining.

Self-restoration of a torpedo is performed in one of three ways:

• DIY painting a torpedo.
• You can cover the car torpedo with PVC film. The advantages of vinyl finishing include a wide range of textures and colors of PVC films, their durability and strength. The disadvantage of this method is that not all polymers that are used to make dashboards form good adhesion to polyvinyl chloride, therefore, after a while, the film peels off the surface.

Dismantling the machine panel

• Padding the dashboard with leather is an expensive way of finishing. Leather (natural or faux) is a durable, durable material that makes the interior of the cabin luxurious. Do-it-yourself torpedo hauling requires experience from the performer, since working with leather has many nuances. In order not to spoil the expensive material, it is better to entrust this robot to an experienced craftsman.

A popular way to independently restore the appearance is to paint a dashboard, so let's dwell on it in more detail.

The restoration of the torpedo begins with the preparatory stage, which includes dismantling and preparing the surface of the part for paint application.

In order not to stain the interior and to protect it from the unpleasant smell of solvents and paint, the torpedo is removed. Perform work on removing the dashboard in the following sequence so as not to damage the part:

1. Disconnect the negative terminal of the battery.
2. Dismantle removable elements: steering wheel, plugs, decorative elements.
3. Unscrew or open the fasteners.
4. Carefully move the panel and disconnect the electrical wiring to the instruments from the power supply.
5. Remove the panel through the front passenger compartment door.
6. Dismantle devices and buttons.

Torpedo removed and prepared for painting

The torpedo in the car is constantly in contact with the hands of the driver and passengers, so dirt and grease accumulate on it. These contaminants contribute to the detachment of new paint, therefore, the panel is thoroughly washed in soapy water, wiped dry and degreased. For cleaning, you can use household detergents: special car shampoo, laundry soap solution, dishwashing liquid and others. For degreasing, solvents such as acetone, industrial alcohol or white spirit are suitable, as well as special sponges and napkins for cars impregnated with a degreasing compound.

A clean, grease-free torpedo is sanded to eliminate irregularities. If this stage is performed poorly, layers of paint will only accentuate cracks and scratches on the surface of the part. Grinding is carried out using sandpaper of different abrasiveness. You need to start sanding with a larger "sandpaper", and finish with the finest.

Advice! Sandpaper is a hard abrasive material, so if you work inaccurately, it will not only not eliminate irregularities, but will cause new scratches. To protect the surface from damage, use the lightest grain of paper. Soak the sandpaper for 15 minutes in cold water to give it elasticity.

Spray painting

After sanding, technological dust forms on the surface of the panel, which will spoil the result of painting. It is gently wiped off with a rag or a special sticky napkin. The sanded and dust-free surface is primed for better adhesion of paint and polymer. It is best to use a plastic surface spray primer that is easy to apply and contains a plasticizer that will prolong the life of the panel. The primer is applied in 2 thin coats with an interval of 15 minutes. Before painting, the surface is degreased again.

You can paint a torpedo using special paints for plastic or paint compounds for the car body. The paint is sprayed with a spray gun from a distance of 20 cm from the surface of the part. The restoration of a car torpedo with paints in aerosol cans is rarely carried out, since they cannot be used to achieve uniform coloring. Such compositions are usually used for touching up individual panel elements.

Painting is carried out in a ventilated area, protected from dust and direct sunlight. The paint is applied in three layers:

The dashboard can be matte and glossy. Experts advise not to open the torpedo with varnish, since the glare of light creates an additional burden on the driver's organs of vision and distracts him from the road.

If you want the surface of the appliances to be shiny, varnish it. The varnish is applied in 2 layers, after 20 minutes after painting. For plastic parts in contact with the hands of the driver and passengers, two-component polyurethane varnishes are suitable. They form a smooth glossy surface, but they do not leave fingerprints, which is important for a part that often comes into contact with the hands of the driver and passengers.

The time for complete drying of the dashboard is several days. After this time, it is examined, the defects that appeared during painting are eliminated and installed in the salon.

Do-it-yourself dashboard repair is different, since the panel is made not of metal, like the rest of the car parts, but of plastic. When interacting with preparation and painting agents, polymers emit harmful substances that accumulate in the cabin and affect the health of the driver and passengers. To prevent this from happening, select products for degreasing, priming and painting that are approved for use on plastic parts.

Designers advise to paint the dashboard in the interior color, choosing a slightly lighter shade. This reduces the strain on the driver's eyes. To make the interior of the salon original, you can use one of the current colors: "anthracite" (charcoal color with a dusty effect) or titanium (golden hue with matte or dazzling glossy effects).

It is popular to repair a car dashboard with the use of paint "liquid rubber". When dry, this composition forms a smooth, saturated matte surface, pleasant to the touch and resistant to negative influences.

If you are planning to change the interior design of your car, then you will not be able to do without the front panel constriction, or, as it is called in everyday life, torpedoes. You can choose a new color scheme and texture for it. Or you can use materials similar to the previous ones, and only slightly refresh the scratched and worn coating. Many motorists do not risk pulling the panel with their own hands, fearing to spoil the appearance of the cabin. However, the biggest challenge in this process is deciding to get started. In addition, if you already have experience in tightening other interior elements, this task will also not cause you any difficulties.

The torpedo is constantly in sight, which means that its appearance and quality will be striking both for you and for the rest of the passengers. The selection of material for the front panel constriction should be approached responsibly. Most often, the following materials are used in the interior design of the car:

• leather (artificial and natural);
• alcantara (another name is artificial suede);
• vinyl.

You shouldn't choose material over the Internet. Pictures and descriptions will not give you a complete picture of the product. Before making a purchase, stop by a specialty store and feel each of the materials on offer. It is also worth writing down the manufacturer and the name of the shade. After that, you can order goods in the online store with peace of mind.

Genuine leather is a good choice for front panel constriction. This is a durable material that is not afraid of temperature extremes, wetting and fire. In addition, its surface is resistant to mechanical damage. Of course, you shouldn't deliberately scratch the skin with a nail, but white stripes on their own will not appear on it either. The skin can be easily cleaned of dirt by regularly wiping it with a damp cloth. You can not be afraid that the panel will burn out in the sun - it is not afraid of ultraviolet radiation. And it's not even worth talking about the appearance of genuine leather: it will perfectly fit into the interior of even the most expensive and pretentious car.

If natural leather is too expensive for you, use its modern substitute - eco-leather. This type of material is called ecological because it does not emit harmful substances during operation. It does not at all look like the cheap leatherette of the late 90s. It is a durable, moisture-resistant and vapor-proof material that is able to maintain its appearance for a long time. Do not be afraid that the eco-leather coating will crack in a short time. In terms of its performance, the material is not inferior to natural leather. In addition, eco-leather is suitable for allergic drivers.

Recently, Alcantara has become one of the most popular materials for covering the interior, including the dashboard. It is a non-woven synthetic material that feels like suede to the touch. It combines a velvety soft surface with easy maintenance and high wear resistance. Just like leather, it does not fade in the sun. High humidity and temperature drops also do not negatively affect it. Many drivers prefer to drag the entire cabin with Alcantara to create an atmosphere of home comfort. Others use it to design individual elements to dilute the severity of the skin. In any case, Alcantara is perfect for covering a torpedo.

If you want to create an unusual interior design, consider using vinyls. There is a rich variety of textures and colors on the market today. You can choose a calm black or gray, or you can find a python imitation of an acid green color. Chrome films, as well as films with a carbon or metallic effect are very popular. It is even easier to care for them than for the skin. Vinyls have, perhaps, only one drawback: they are easy to accidentally scratch. But the low price allows you to drag the panel as often as you want.

In order to save money, some motorists do not purchase a special automobile material, but a similar one, intended for furniture constriction. At first glance, it seems that there is no difference between them. However, this is not the case: upholstery leather and other materials are designed for use at constant and comfortable indoor temperatures. The car heats up in the bright sun and cools in the cold. Furniture materials will crack quickly under such conditions.

Stretching the front panel begins with its dismantling. This is a rather time consuming process. In addition, the pattern of fasteners and clips does not match on different car models. A large number of wires are connected to the panel, and if you are afraid of damaging them, contact a car service for help.

If you want to do it yourself, do not neglect the instructions for operating the car: all the parts and fasteners are described in detail there. Removing a torpedo always begins with disconnecting the battery terminals. After you have de-energized your car, you can proceed to dismantling.