Dashboards can become covered with scuff marks, rips, holes or stains. Rather than replacing the entire upholstery, you can economically refinish your dashboard in order to rejuvenate the look of your car's interior. Dashboard repair kits are available in car maintenance stores and online to handle these small tasks; you can also use them to repair leather or vinyl furniture and clothing since dashboards are made of the same materials.
Clean the damaged area with household cleaner. Cut any frayed or torn edges with a razor.
Insert cotton balls into any depressions until level with the dashboard.
Cut out a piece of backing clothing approximately 1/4 inch larger than the damaged area. Insert the backing clothing under the hole.
Apply repair compound onto the hole with a spatula and smooth it out, leaving only a thin layer of film around the surrounding areas. Choose a color that matches the dashboard from the color palette, or mix colors to match.
Place grain paper over the repair area and mark the area onto the grain paper. Center the repair section over the grain paper.
Plug in the heating tool for 60 seconds until it reaches 300 degrees. Then unplug the heating tool and immediately place it over the grain paper and move the tool in circular motions over the grain paper for about 10 to 15 seconds. Be sure not to touch anything other than the grain paper.
Let the grain paper cool for two to three minutes. Then peel the paper off the dashboard.
Rub floor wax onto the repaired section with a rag to add gloss.
