Refurbishing Dash

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thecantaloupeman

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So I have a terribly cracked dash and was planning on recovering it with vinyl. I basically filled the cracks with caulk to make it somewhat flat, and was going to glue black vinyl over top it. I thought about maybe putting foam underneath, but either way it will still probably be fairly uneven, and I will still always know how crappy it looks underneath. Is there a way to reuse the metal frame and refoam it and lay a custom leather over top?

I'd like that more than buying a new dash because I can choose the color and texture of the dash and could reupholster the seat to match. I could make it look more custom and cool than just a replacement stock dash. It would still probably be cheaper to do that than buy a new dash if thats possible. A new dash in tan costs around 500$ from USA1.
 

AuroraGirl

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So I have a terribly cracked dash and was planning on recovering it with vinyl. I basically filled the cracks with caulk to make it somewhat flat, and was going to glue black vinyl over top it. I thought about maybe putting foam underneath, but either way it will still probably be fairly uneven, and I will still always know how crappy it looks underneath. Is there a way to reuse the metal frame and refoam it and lay a custom leather over top?

I'd like that more than buying a new dash because I can choose the color and texture of the dash and could reupholster the seat to match. I could make it look more custom and cool than just a replacement stock dash. It would still probably be cheaper to do that than buy a new dash if thats possible. A new dash in tan costs around 500$ from USA1.
If you want to do vinyl, I think if you can even it out with filler decent enough i dont see why you couldnt lay down a paint or similar spray to make it even-er, then wrap vinyl. Just enough to make the ridges un-noticeable.
 

Dave M

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I've got one of those ABS plastic covers fitted over mine, was on it when l got it. Not a great fit though.
 

AuroraGirl

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perhaps if old vinyl was sanded down or removed(esp what sticks up) the abs would fit better? its hard to add material over and get good fitment with how it was meant to sit in
 

thecantaloupeman

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perhaps if old vinyl was sanded down or removed(esp what sticks up) the abs would fit better? its hard to add material over and get good fitment with how it was meant to sit in
Is it possible to just peel all the old foam and vinyl off and start over from the bare metal frame though? Like is it possible to refoam everything and cover it with my own fabric?


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FireTruck1984

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Is it possible to just peel all the old foam and vinyl off and start over from the bare metal frame though? Like is it possible to refoam everything and cover it with my own fabric?


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Sure, anything is possible with skill, time, effort and expense...
You’ll be ahead of the game if you pull the trigger on a reproduction dash pad. Try Cheyenne Chevy truck parts around $300
 

AuroraGirl

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I think starting from scratch would be harder than you think. thicknesses at different spots, angles, curvatures, etc
 

Poppy 87

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Is it possible to just peel all the old foam and vinyl off and start over from the bare metal frame though? Like is it possible to refoam everything and cover it with my own fabric?


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If proceeding this way, I would ask an upholstery shop for a quote to do that. I'm gonna do this when I'm ready to do mine, but have no idea of cost
 

82sbshortbed

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@Vbb199 was doing his dash a while back. Did you ever finish it up?
 

TX87R10

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Sure, anything is possible with skill, time, effort and expense...
You’ll be ahead of the game if you pull the trigger on a reproduction dash pad. Try Cheyenne Chevy truck parts around $300

They are showing all sold out or that does sound like a good option.
 

Vbb199

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Just have to finish smoothing it out, then I can proceed with painting it.
 

TPISly-C10

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I found a old use ABS dash cap to try playing just for the experiment to put on a very craky dash that i have laying around!

1- unskin the old vinyl
2- do some prep on the resting old foam
3- prep the old dash cap
4- put some glue on it
5- try to put some tape everywhere it need it
6-let it dry 24h

not bad for a cheap stuff :)

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