1996 Safari Dash Issue

[banner1124]

Hello all. I have a 1996 GMC Safari and have a question. The dashboard upholstry seems to be separating from the dash itself around the instrument cluster area. Is this common for these particular vehicles? Also, is there a way to easily fix it?

[93xtmoney]

Do you have any pics? Might be able to help ya better.

[Phantom]

Hello all. I have a 1996 GMC Safari and have a question. The dashboard upholstery seems to be separating from the dash itself around the instrument cluster area. Is this common for these particular vehicles? Also, is there a way to easily fix it?

When I think of upholstery, I think of fabric of some kind , and I don't recall ever seeing fabric around the instrument cluster area. The bezel that covers the area is held in with clips on the back of the bezel and if they get bent or broken can allow the bezel to come loose , if they are bent they can be straightened , if broken the bezel needs replaced, it is easy to replace and can be found on any salvage yard van 96 through 2005 , and yes a pic would definitely help ID The problem

[banner1124]

Sorry, I guess upholstery was not the proper word. It's more like the vinyl part of the dash is separating from the metal part. I'm attaching a pic that makes it clearer

dashpic.JPG (50.83 KiB) Viewed 2537 times

[Phantom]

There is a Super glue like product for vinyl and use of a clamp will bond the vinyl to the metal lip again ,,there is a better product I had found , but I cannot recall the name of it at the moment , But I notice that the dash bezel has pulled away from its mounting point , After you bond the vinyl to the metal again , find out why the bezel does not stay in place , when it is mounted securely in place it should cover up that lip and not show it .
If you are careful you can use the one of these products to bond the viynl to metal

http://www.loctiteproducts.com/epoxies.shtml

http://www.loctiteproducts.com/construc ... ives.shtml

[banner1124]

Actually although it doesn't look it from the pic the dash bezel is securely in place. The vinyl has separated so much that it just doesn't look that way. If I push the vinyl down against the metal as it should everything looks perfect. I'll look into some products to glue it back down. Not sure what to do for a clamp though because I'll need to clamp or weight it down in a few places. Any suggestions?

[chevymaher]

Actually although it doesn't look it from the pic the dash bezel is securely in place. The vinyl has separated so much that it just doesn't look that way. If I push the vinyl down against the metal as it should everything looks perfect. I'll look into some products to glue it back down. Not sure what to do for a clamp though because I'll need to clamp or weight it down in a few places. Any suggestions?

Gorilla glue pretty mean stuff.If it will hold the sole of a shoe I am sure it would hold that. I would test it on metal to see if it sticks but anything porus at all it wont come off.To hold dash down during drying stuff a ton of towels between windshield and dash.That would be my best suggestion,Experiment with a piece of metal and a piece of dash material first to make sure.

[heyitsjimi]

banner1124,
Mine looks just like yours. I tried JB Weld KwikWeld. Total failure. Clamping is a total pain, and didn't work very well. If I figure anything out, I'll let you know. Please let me know if you find something that works.

[dramey]

I doubt banner1124 will read your post. The last time banner1124 was on this forum was August 31, 2011.

[GMtechlineESI]

He could come back online at any minute.

LOL

[Tommiez]

I have a 1998 Astro that was lifting up just like that.. I used clear silicone on it, squirted it under it real good then put a piece of wood on the dash and used another to wedge pressure between the windshield area to the dash over night.. was 2 years ago and still in place.. don't think I could get it off if I wanted too now..
I have a Astro and a Safari.. both 98 models.. both the same kinda issues .. the Safari the whole dash was coming unattached..so I pulled it all off.. I went to a junk yard this past weekend and pulled a whole dash pad out of a 2003 model.. in perfect condition.. but was so hard to take apart.. not I dread pulling mine to install this one.. anyhow. if you try the silicone let me know if it works for you.

[dennis7815]

I am in process to restore my 1994 Astro Van and just got the van out of the body shop. My dash is a mess and I need to restore it. Does anyone know of a kit to repair and I can do the repair myself? Or a source for a replacement dash? See photos attached. The body shop did a fine job cutting out the rust and welding in new metal but detail stuff like this I need to resolve myself. Is this your issue as well? see photographs attached.

cracked dashboard 94 astro van

1994 astro van recent photograph

[Ozarker]

Sorry, no photo, but on dashes I covered with headliner foam and recovered with vinyl, you can also get foam backed vinyl either one and use 3M adhesive. The foam covers the cracks, if it's real bad as above, I'd cut it out and use thicker foam for a padded dash look.

I have some separation as well, about 6 inches at the top of the arch......I might catch that by recovering the dash.
I don't know how your decor is planned, but for custom jobs you might consider upholstery cord with vinyl in a contrasting color to outline the dash or rope lights on a dimmer, door edge molding might work.....

When I have a problem I try to be creative in fixing it, improve it beyond what it is if it can be made better than original. A problem is often an opportunity.