Dodge pickup truck dashboards often crack due to structural stress, exposure to long periods of heat and a sustained barrage of ultraviolet radiation from the sun. Given enough time, even the smallest crack will grow and end up costing you significant sums of money to repair. Fixing the crack can be expensive if you take your truck to a professional. With a little know-how, you can easily fix the crack yourself by using the simple method of applying silicone caulk in the comfort of your own garage. Once the caulk cures, you can color or paint it to match your Dodge factory color.
Purchase the best quality silicone caulking available at your local hardware store because this will greatly affect the longevity of your repair. And purchase a quality vinyl paint that is an exact color match for your Dodge (using your VIN number), either through a Dodge dealership or an auto supply store.
Park your vehicle out of the sun, but make sure you have ample lighting. Take a sharp utility knife and carefully cut a small V shape into the cracked region of the dash. Make sure you don't cut the V shape too large, but rather just small enough for the complete application of the silicone caulking. The objective is to deepen the crack so that its entire length is uniformly V-shaped.
Vacuum the area thoroughly to remove all traces of dirt and dashboard shavings both inside and outside the V opening. Clean the dash surface with a damp cloth and soapy water. Make sure that there is no loose dirt or shavings, which will limit the silicone adhesion. Allow ample time for the dash to dry, especially if any water penetrated inside the V cut. Make sure everything is completely dry before proceeding.
Place strips of painter's or masking tape the entire length of the crack. Run the tape along the very edge of the crack so that the silicone caulking does not touch the dashboard. Make sure that the tape is applied neatly to help reduce the mess.
Apply the silicone caulking to the cracked area carefully, making sure that there are no air bubbles whatsoever located within the crack. Try to use just enough caulk so that the surface of the caulk is flush with the surrounding dash surface. Once the crack has been filled neatly, allow several hours for drying time (or as recommended by the caulk manufacturer) before proceeding.
Remove the painter's or masking tape from the dashboard very slowly. Avoid pulling any caulk loose or tearing the dashboard's surface. Feel the caulk surface with your fingers. It should be flush with the rest of the dashboard. Additional caulk may be added if necessary, or it may be trimmed down slightly with the utility knife.
Paint the caulk surface with a quality vinyl paint (matched to your Dodge's exact color) applied with a modeling paintbrush. Apply the paint very sparingly and use multiple coats rather than a single thick coat for best results.
