Covered Dash Pad
06-09-2008, 11:53 PM
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Covered Dash Pad I've searched and searched to no avail. Has anyone succeeded in covering their crack-prone dash pad with anything other than a carpet projectile? I attempted to repair a small crack in mine today and the things blew apart like a grenade. I have it all back in one piece, and began the sanding prep for covering. I'm just curious as to what others have done about the defrost vents.
TIA.
TIA.
06-10-2008, 09:03 AM
#2
I've searched and searched to no avail. Has anyone succeeded in covering their crack-prone dash pad with anything other than a carpet projectile? I attempted to repair a small crack in mine today and the things blew apart like a grenade. I have it all back in one piece, and began the sanding prep for covering. I'm just curious as to what others have done about the defrost vents.
TIA.
TIA.
Another option to try would be reinforcing the underside of a new dash with fiberglass prior to install. Since both my dashes cracked at the mounting posts, I would consider either paying extra attention to reinforcing that area, or removing the posts entirely and going to hook and loop fastening in those areas.
06-10-2008, 10:52 AM
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I just finished step 2 of the prep process, I'm going to head out in a bit and pick up my material and some spray adhesive. I've found a nice suede/micro fiber in black that is thin enough for me to lay into the defrost section. It's kind of disappointing that no one makes some sort of billet overlay piece for that area. That would make the job SOOO much easier.
I've reinforced the underside with a good amount of plastic epoxy in the trouble spots. The trick will be in making the top nice and flat. Using a lightweight material is a double edged sword in that you need a good flat, even surface or else it will show through.
As for tinting my car and getting the "window blocker thing", that's a bit late. I just purchased the car and it had a small crack in it prior to me getting it. I'm an upholsterer so instead of spending money on a new shell I want to fix this one. I know it can be done, it's not rocket science. It is kind of sad how cheap the OEM part is though.
I've reinforced the underside with a good amount of plastic epoxy in the trouble spots. The trick will be in making the top nice and flat. Using a lightweight material is a double edged sword in that you need a good flat, even surface or else it will show through.
As for tinting my car and getting the "window blocker thing", that's a bit late. I just purchased the car and it had a small crack in it prior to me getting it. I'm an upholsterer so instead of spending money on a new shell I want to fix this one. I know it can be done, it's not rocket science. It is kind of sad how cheap the OEM part is though.
06-10-2008, 04:18 PM
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Finished product:
Took longer than I would have liked, and the vents were truly a pain in the butt. Came out exceptionally well though. The black suede does contrast the OEM gray, but I plan on adding more suede later on. MUCH better than a dash mat
Took longer than I would have liked, and the vents were truly a pain in the butt. Came out exceptionally well though. The black suede does contrast the OEM gray, but I plan on adding more suede later on. MUCH better than a dash mat
Last edited by Mattism78; 06-10-2008 at 04:43 PM.
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06-10-2008, 05:03 PM
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I reinforced the bottom of mine with a good plastic resin, I also pieced it back together from about 10 separate pieces. In total it cost me about $40 to fix, and now I don't have to worry about cracking again.
Took a few better pictures with a real camera.
Last edited by Mattism78; 06-10-2008 at 06:05 PM.
06-10-2008, 09:36 PM
#10
It looks like the vent was difficult.
I cut out all of those slats there and covered that area with a black speaker grill material. I covered the rest of the dash pad with marine grade, black vinyl.
I'd post picks but my camera is busted.
I cut out all of those slats there and covered that area with a black speaker grill material. I covered the rest of the dash pad with marine grade, black vinyl.
I'd post picks but my camera is busted.
06-10-2008, 09:41 PM
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I saw you post about your dash in another thread. You're about the only person I've read that has successfully covered it. The vents SUCKED! I used an exacto knife, and superglue to help bond the small pieces. The trick was using black material so I could spray paint it from the bottom to cover the glue. It's a trick we used to use at Piper Aircraft to cover visible spots that were a PITA to get glue remover to.
but looks like it was worth it
06-11-2008, 03:59 PM
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I found some pictures of Humpty Dumpty (aka my dash) before I covered it. I figure this should give a good idea of what I had to work with and repaired.
06-11-2008, 11:14 PM
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im sure it was totally worth it. theres another t/a on here that did the entire dash and pad now thats a real pita. im gunna do the camaro dash as soon as i figure out if im sticking with the lt1 or going with an ls1 dash.
