If your current OEM pad is in good shape - by all means keep it!
Any aftermarket pad cannot compare to original equipment - even if the OEM is old.
Use the procedure below to restore it and the color will last a long time. Hint: I have found that periodic application of Lemon Pledge works awesome. It will keep the surface looking great and extend the life of the plastic.
This is a re-post:
I just re-did a dash that I found for $40. It was frkin mint - but it was blue and I'm changing the truck over to black.
Used my normal method and it looks like factory black. My point is - if you find a good one of a different color, it can be painted:
Clean the surfaces meticulously with acetone or MEK (scrub the grain with a stiff nylon brush). Wash again with warm soap and water and rinse well.
The following all has to be done within an hour so have everything ready:
Two coats of SEM (or Duplicolor) plastic adhesion promoter. One light and the next wet - let it flash off between coats.
I used SEM to top coat but Duplicolor works as well (satin is better than trim black for the dash). Warm the can(s) in a sink of hot water before spraying. This produces a much nicer layer and also helps propel the paint.
The top coat must be applied within a half hour of the Adhesion Promoter or the paint will not bond and the dash will look like crap within two summers.
