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The binnacle on my 1966 Austin Cooper S has a few cracks and is missing a small piece on the side of the binnacle.
What options might I have re: repair or replace?

I'm sure it could be repaired but you would need a good paint match to finish It off.

Try "Q-Bond " ultra strong adhesive & filling Powder ".. basically this is a kit of runny superglue & comes with very fine Powder that rebuilds plastics .. the Q bond kit i use has Black & Grey filling Powders included .. the trade use Q Bond for what you will call plastic Fender Repairs etc .. I use it for almost anything plastic that is cracked or broken .. it is superglue quick setting & the Repair can be built up, sanded to profile & over painted .. it is a Body Filler for Plastic components .. not cheap but this is good stuff.
i have never tried the Grey Powder in my Q Bond kit which is said can repair Aluminium Engine Castings
olym@worldonline.co.za

I'd just buy a good one. These come up fairly regularly in the for sale section or alternatively there are the new ones which are perfect from Fred @ Nippycars. These were originally produced by our own 1071Bob & are superb.

Thanks for responses.
I had already made contact with Bob and Fred.
Encouraging to know it may be repairable.
I will check Q-Bond.

You can also use plastic adhesion enhancers for the paint and there are stiple black bumper paints that help as they provide some texture - but the bob / Fred ones are spot on!!!

We've repaired similar items using a fine metal mesh and melting into the plastic using a flat bladed soldering iron. Do it from the engine side so it doesn't show so much.

Just used Q-Bond (as suggested by Polarsilver in previous reply).
Seems to have done the job and easy to use.



Next step is to find a matching wrinkle paint.
I could also use this paint on the heater ears.
Any suggestions/recommendations?

The binnacle black fascia has been repaired and ready to be installed ... finally!

I used Q-Bond as suggested to repair the hole and VHT Wrinkle Plus to paint the entire binnacle black fascia.


I am pleased with the result.


Next step is to install this binnacle black facia to the metal base plate.


It appears the binnacle black fascia simply fits over the gauges ... correct?
I do not want to risk damaging the binnacle black fascia since it is quite brittle.
I would appreciate knowing the steps to take to properly align the binnacle facia over the guages.
Thanks in advance.

First, all the dashboard linings have to be in place. The binnacle is the last item to install.

The basic problem for the binnacle are the linings. It depends how they fit and how uneven they are, they bring pressure on the binnacle from the back side. And the liners are a lot stronger than the binnacle. Try to align the liners as flat as possilbe to the bulkhead. Thats a difficult task as the liners cover the sound insulation and the fresh air ducts for the wind screen. But as long as they are not flat, they will destroy the brittle binnacle sooner or later.

good luck.

I ran out of the Q-bond Glue but had the Powders left over .. so i next tried repairs with some Locktite Glue in a Gel form & mixed with the Q-bond Powders worked well on other plastic repairs.

Dr.Mabo wrote: ↑Tue Mar 29, 2022 6:56 am First, all the dashboard linings have to be in place. The binnacle is the last item to install.

The basic problem for the binnacle are the linings. It depends how they fit and how uneven they are, they bring pressure on the binnacle from the back side. And the liners are a lot stronger than the binnacle. Try to align the liners as flat as possilbe to the bulkhead. Thats a difficult task as the liners cover the sound insulation and the fresh air ducts for the wind screen. But as long as they are not flat, they will destroy the brittle binnacle sooner or later.

good luck.

Just to agree on this one, if necessary trim some soundproofing back. When you fit it you may also wish to consider spacer washers (using rubber glue to hold them in place). I did this once when there was too much springing in the plastic as I very cautiously tightened it up. No-one has ever noticed the slight difference in gauge height

Diid something similar to Norman - but to a Mk2 type binnacle. Mesh to the rear, filler into the small hole and crack. Didn't paint but just went over the whole thing with black KIWI shoe polish a few times, brushed it off - and again and it is a perfect satin black all-over finish. Good repair.