Recovering a dash pad, beware of french seam - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

CG · 07-09-2017, 08:11 PM

Holy cow what a pain in the keester. I bought the stuff to redo the interior on my K20 and it came with a dash pad cover with a French seam down the middle length. Seems simple. Contact cement on the fabric, contact cement on the dash pad. Wait till its barely tacky, install the pad.

We had six hands and couldn't get that stupid seam straight. Crazy frustrating, no idea how the upholstery guys do it. So I'm going to just go ahead and order a plain ol new black dash.

No I'm not going to show a picture

**kwmech** · 07-09-2017, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CG

No I'm not going to show a picture

Coward

toolboxchev · 07-09-2017, 08:29 PM

Come on now we wish to see! I know, I know its embarrassing, yet there is always something to learn about what we do here. Maybe we can help out.

I may have to do this in the future.

bill3rail · 07-09-2017, 08:40 PM

Inquiring minds want to see, man up and show your errors!

**GR8-68** · 07-09-2017, 08:46 PM

Squirt some mineral spirits under the material or light thinner to loosen the adhesive enough to move it into place then allow it to dry

**Steeveedee** · 07-09-2017, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GR8-68

Squirt some mineral spirits under the material or light thinner to loosen the adhesive enough to move it into place then allow it to dry

That or spend even more money! This is a good idea. You have nothing to lose!
(I don't think that he meant LIGHT the thinner...)

**dmjlambert** · 07-09-2017, 11:13 PM

Yes, please pictures, just do it. I need to know what you are facing so when I go through this in my truck it will help. If you do light the thinner, we'll need more than pictures, we'll need video.

CG · 07-09-2017, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GR8-68

Squirt some mineral spirits under the material or light thinner to loosen the adhesive enough to move it into place then allow it to dry

Hmmm, is this a thing or are you waiting for hilarity?

The thing about contact cement is its supposed to be one shot no slippy sliding.

Ive built a few countertops over the years with that stuff, coat both pieces, lay some dowels down on surface, lay material over top of dowels, remove one dowel at a time instant stick ... route the edges. Too bad I cant just route my dash pad and make it all better lol.

**GR8-68** · 07-10-2017, 01:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CG

Hmmm, is this a thing or are you waiting for hilarity?

The thing about contact cement is its supposed to be one shot no slippy sliding.

Ive built a few countertops over the years with that stuff, coat both pieces, lay some dowels down on surface, lay material over top of dowels, remove one dowel at a time instant stick ... route the edges. Too bad I cant just route my dash pad and make it all better lol.

We do this with laminate all the time, not to much just enough where you can move it around. By light thinner I meant not to hot of a thinner or it may melt the fabric, not sure what your cover is made out of. Note, I am not an upholsterer and have never tried this I just have dealt with contact cement a lot over the years and a couple tricks we have done to fix the oops. Like said before what do you have to lose at this point.

**Tom Vogel** · 07-10-2017, 06:41 AM

I've watched countless videos of professional upholsterers doing this on consoles and door covers and such. They. Don't let the cement dry first like you would for a laminate over a table top. They start at a seam and work out applying the cement with a small brush as they go, stretching and working towards the outside and the overlap of the edges of the piece they are covering. YouTube is a great source in these cases.
I think the minerals spirits is a great idea to try.

**special-K** · 07-10-2017, 06:43 AM

I'm just glad I never liked the idea of french seam across the dash pad. I'd try the release with thinner idea to get it straight.

v30crewcab · 07-10-2017, 07:21 AM

I was told to only put glue on the backside of the edges, and let the whole cover float over the dash pad. that way you can stretch it tight where you want it, and pull it around the backside and its glued.

67swb72klb · 07-10-2017, 07:27 AM

It can't be that bad...

CG · 07-10-2017, 08:29 AM

Lots of helpful stuff here. I was told use contact cement, probably assumed I knew what that meant, and instead I did it like I would do laminate. Ill see if I can remove the cover tonight and use a little bit of mineral spirits to loosen the glue a bit.

Worst case scenario I get frustrated and throw it in the back of a passing pick up truck.

And Tim come on man ... French seam equals sophistication ... Pardon me, do you have any Grey Poupon?

07-09-2017, 08:11 PM	#1
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wa. Posts: 20,035	Recovering a dash pad, beware of french seam Holy cow what a pain in the keester. I bought the stuff to redo the interior on my K20 and it came with a dash pad cover with a French seam down the middle length. Seems simple. Contact cement on the fabric, contact cement on the dash pad. Wait till its barely tacky, install the pad. We had six hands and couldn't get that stupid seam straight. Crazy frustrating, no idea how the upholstery guys do it. So I'm going to just go ahead and order a plain ol new black dash. No I'm not going to show a picture __________________ … … … … … … … … ... … … … … … … … … … … …

07-09-2017, 08:29 PM	#3
toolboxchev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: 2nd left past the stump on a dirt road. Posts: 2,629	Re: Recovering a dash pad, beware of french seam Come on now we wish to see! I know, I know its embarrassing, yet there is always something to learn about what we do here. Maybe we can help out. I may have to do this in the future.

07-09-2017, 08:40 PM	#4
bill3rail Registered User Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: LI, NY 11801 Posts: 1,140	Re: Recovering a dash pad, beware of french seam Inquiring minds want to see, man up and show your errors! __________________ 1970 C10 8' Fleetside, L6 250, 3 on the Tree. The most basic of pickup trucks!

07-09-2017, 08:46 PM	#5
GR8-68 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Belews Creek , NC Posts: 4,220	Re: Recovering a dash pad, beware of french seam Squirt some mineral spirits under the material or light thinner to loosen the adhesive enough to move it into place then allow it to dry __________________ Larry It is easily overlooked that what is now called vintage was once brand new. "Project 68" paypal.me/ldgrant

07-09-2017, 11:13 PM	#7
dmjlambert Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Cypress, TX Posts: 3,885	Re: Recovering a dash pad, beware of french seam Yes, please pictures, just do it. I need to know what you are facing so when I go through this in my truck it will help. If you do light the thinner, we'll need more than pictures, we'll need video.

07-10-2017, 06:41 AM	#10
Tom Vogel 2WD Jimmy Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Davis County, Utah Posts: 2,565	Re: Recovering a dash pad, beware of french seam I've watched countless videos of professional upholsterers doing this on consoles and door covers and such. They. Don't let the cement dry first like you would for a laminate over a table top. They start at a seam and work out applying the cement with a small brush as they go, stretching and working towards the outside and the overlap of the edges of the piece they are covering. YouTube is a great source in these cases. I think the minerals spirits is a great idea to try.

07-10-2017, 06:43 AM	#11
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,851	Re: Recovering a dash pad, beware of french seam I'm just glad I never liked the idea of french seam across the dash pad. I'd try the release with thinner idea to get it straight. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

07-10-2017, 07:21 AM	#12
v30crewcab Registered User Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chatt Tn Posts: 982	Re: Recovering a dash pad, beware of french seam I was told to only put glue on the backside of the edges, and let the whole cover float over the dash pad. that way you can stretch it tight where you want it, and pull it around the backside and its glued. __________________ 88 military v30 crewcab shortbed 5.9 cummins, nv4500, 205 86 k30, 89 diesel burb, 76 gmc pathfinder 71 longbed 5.3 4l80 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=522535

07-10-2017, 07:27 AM	#13
67swb72klb Registered User Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: livingston co.mi Posts: 2,471	Re: Recovering a dash pad, beware of french seam It can't be that bad... __________________ California 65 GTO---Texas 64 burb 283 ---Oklahoma 67 CST SWB BBW wood bed 327 2004r---New Mexico 72 k10 350 350 auto---Georga 72 short step project

07-10-2017, 08:29 AM	#14
CG BlahBlahBlah Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Wa. Posts: 20,035	Re: Recovering a dash pad, beware of french seam Lots of helpful stuff here. I was told use contact cement, probably assumed I knew what that meant, and instead I did it like I would do laminate. Ill see if I can remove the cover tonight and use a little bit of mineral spirits to loosen the glue a bit. Worst case scenario I get frustrated and throw it in the back of a passing pick up truck. And Tim come on man ... French seam equals sophistication ... Pardon me, do you have any Grey Poupon? __________________ … … … … … … … … ... … … … … … … … … … … …

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