Dash Redoing question

[83kid]

Hi,
So i was previously thinking of just buying a dash pad and throwing that one.
But, after looking at other dashes people have redone, i was thinking of tearing into it and trying stuff...

I was thinking, if i took my cracked crappy old (Plastic, i think) stock dash, tearing that off, what is underneath that?
I'm assuming a foam or something, from what i have figured out from others threads. If it isn't, then im not so sure i want to do this. But if it is foam, i was thinking of just taking the plastic off, and taking a vinyl fabric or something, and stretching it over the whole dash.
I'm thinking i would use a type of glue or adhesive, gotta figure that out.. but hoping ill be able to take a big piece pf the fabric and stretching it, just cutting it at the edges so that i dont have to stitch anything, and using screws or something of he type to secure the edges to the dash, on the back, where you wouldn't see them.

So, first of all, can you remove that plastic without removing other layers beneath it, and is there foam underneath?
Also, am i able to just take a piece and stretch it over the whole thing, or will i have to stitch it in some places, and what/how would you suggest i secure it?

Thanks!

 

[hinkv10]

There are other posts on this. I'm planning on doing the same thing. Sand it down and put new foam and vinyl over dash.

 

[diaric]

Its foam over a light steel frame. Removing the vinyl is good on the top, but around the vents and the front, it pays a large part in the construction and form and is probably better left there.
If there's a crack, you'll probably need to grind out the foam and fill it, as it will be cracked and dried out.
Before you stretch something over, you'll need to add some filler so the edges where the vinyl is still there don't show and its smooth.

 

[MadOgre]

I have been looking at doing the same thing to mine too. Its pretty much like diaric said. Best jobs seem to be from starting over with new foam and then vinyl except like diaric mentioned around the vents. I have not seen anybody find a way to reproduce the speaker holes in the middle and everybody seems to just find some kinda speaker cover/mesh to do the side ones. I have seen some people just cover over the whole thing and mount the speakers under anyway with out any speaker holes.

Im planning on just using a big can of contact cement

I seen one of the guys on here used a textured dark grey material and then painted or dyed all the trim and vents black. I thought it looked pretty sharp. I think im gonna do some thing like that and replace the shifter and tilt and turn signal with black hardware out of a 90s column

I also intend on getting some material that can be heated and stretched so I can do it in one piece too. everybody says you need at least 2 1/2 yards to do it in one piece, but I would double check to make sure you have enough. Alkso I don't know if a textured material would work so well if your gonna stretch it, as the texture design will probably be all wavy after stretching it

 

[1989coalroller]

I am in the process of re covering my dash with black vinyl and I gotta say it's not terribly hard, I just used a heat gun and stretched it over all the corners, and I used dap weldwood contact cement you will need about a quart to do the dash which cost me 5 bucks at Walmart

 

[v2500burb]

I would love to see some photos
As I need to do my dash


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MadOgre]

I am in the process of re covering my dash with black vinyl and I gotta say it's not terribly hard, I just used a heat gun and stretched it over all the corners, and I used dap weldwood contact cement you will need about a quart to do the dash which cost me 5 bucks at Walmart

'

Yes photo's please !

 

[83kid]

How difficult is it to remove/reinstall the dash?

 

[MadOgre]

How difficult is it to remove/reinstall the dash?

Not very.

You have to remove the gauge bezel not the cluster just the bezel. Then there are 3 or 4 screws along the bottom of the padded dash below the trim that goes from the bezel to the passenger door. And one more Phillips screw on the passenger side. You have to open the passenger door to get at it. Then just lift up slightly and pull. There are little slide clips that keep the front of the dash secured down. So you just have to pull it out.

 

[89Suburban]

My long term plan is to take the 2 dash pads and gauge bezels I have and morph them to add an extended bezel area to the right of the current area that would hold a tach and maybe some extra gauges and/or maybe some compartments for the iPod/phone or stuff like that. Extra chargers etc. Still bouncing it around the 'ol noggin. Basically adding 1/3 extra bezel space. Have to cut and weld the pad frames together in the right place then fill and sand any cracks/holes then probably go with vinyl overlay like mentioned here. Some wasted space there in the middle of the dash that could be made more useful for me anyway.

 

[run2424]

Here is an option. Fiberglass resin on the cracks, sand it then paint. This is the dash out of a 85 going into a 76 along with the bezel.

 

[MadOgre]

Here is an option. Fiberglass resin on the cracks, sand it then paint. This is the dash out of a 85 going into a 76 along with the bezel.

How did you address the fact that the vinyl curves up where ever it cracks? Did you just sand that off?

 

[run2424]

Took a razor blade and cut the vinyl back a little from the crack. Yes it leaves a wider spot there from the crack, apply the resin a bit thick in that area. The crack that is on the pass. side between defrost slot and pass. end of the dash is the hardest, may have to work it a couple of times.

 

[mrnapolean1]

Here is an option. Fiberglass resin on the cracks, sand it then paint. This is the dash out of a 85 going into a 76 along with the bezel.

You need to make a tutorial. I want to take mine and redo it and dye it blue.

 

[run2424]

Dupla color is what i painted it with.