Finally wrapped the dash

[ShinyC10]

I had one of them cheap aftermarket rubber dashes in my truck for a few years and finally got around to buying a real dash. Threw in a little expanding foam, bondo and a fair share of sanding and this is how it turned out....not too shabby for my first dash

[ShinyC10]

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[ShinyC10]

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[Jaysonb]

Looks good. What did you wrap it with?

[ShinyC10]

Originally Posted by Jaysonb

Looks good. What did you wrap it with?

2 way stretch vinyl from Hancock fabrics. BUT it takes a lot to get it like that

[TrybalRage]

Nice! I'm in the middle of doing this on my own dash. Did the spray foam, thin coat of bondo, and that's where I'm at. Still have to sand it down. I found a fabric store that has marine-grade UV resistant vinyl, but I'm still torn on the adhesive. I'm afraid that the sun will ruin whatever I use.

I've read that the adhesive that they use for Landau tops is good, since it's heat resistant. This stuff seems to get good reviews: http://www.yourautotrim.com/noname37.html

[ShinyC10]

Originally Posted by TrybalRage

Nice! I'm in the middle of doing this on my own dash. Did the spray foam, thin coat of bondo, and that's where I'm at. Still have to sand it down. I found a fabric store that has marine-grade UV resistant vinyl, but I'm still torn on the adhesive. I'm afraid that the sun will ruin whatever I use.

I've read that the adhesive that they use for Landau tops is good, since it's heat resistant. This stuff seems to get good reviews: http://www.yourautotrim.com/noname37.html

That contact cement will do fine but beware when you lay down your fabric! When those two materials touch there is no going back. I just use some 3M spray adhesive from homedepot, it seems to hold up on all my projects.

[Super_Dave]

Originally Posted by TrybalRage

Nice! I'm in the middle of doing this on my own dash. Did the spray foam, thin coat of bondo, and that's where I'm at. Still have to sand it down. I found a fabric store that has marine-grade UV resistant vinyl, but I'm still torn on the adhesive. I'm afraid that the sun will ruin whatever I use.

I've read that the adhesive that they use for Landau tops is good, since it's heat resistant. This stuff seems to get good reviews: http://www.yourautotrim.com/noname37.html

Landau Top adhesive is definitely the way to go.

As with any contact adhesive, you need a well thought out approach, do it in small strategic patches at a time, have all the tools at the ready to spread, stretch, pull, push, tuck and poke the vinyl where it needs to go.

Heat too is your friend, so if you have a heat gun, it can come in handy if you use it wisely, sparingly and don't focus in one spot very long... it doesn't take much.

Make sure you cut enough material so you can trim off the excess... too short or narrow and you have a big mess to fix...

[bL.A.zer90045]

way to TACKle it yourself!!! looks goodwhat year elco you got there, 70? ive got a 87,86,72,and a 69.

[ShinyC10]

Originally Posted by Super_Dave

Landau Top adhesive is definitely the way to go.

As with any contact adhesive, you need a well thought out approach, do it in small strategic patches at a time, have all the tools at the ready to spread, stretch, pull, push, tuck and poke the vinyl where it needs to go.

Heat too is your friend, so if you have a heat gun, it can come in handy if you use it wisely, sparingly and don't focus in one spot very long... it doesn't take much.

Make sure you cut enough material so you can trim off the excess... too short or narrow and you have a big mess to fix...

x2 ^^^ it took me 5 hours with my heat gun almost always in my hand. Half the time if I had some 4 way stretch material. But yes, the heat gun is the real mvp

[ShinyC10]

Originally Posted by bL.A.zer90045

way to TACKle it yourself!!! looks goodwhat year elco you got there, 70? ive got a 87,86,72,and a 69.

It's my dad's 69 396 ss. Been sitting for 30 yrs sadly. Still has the original tires����

[bL.A.zer90045]

oh wow that shows how long its been since seeing my 69!(been down south-mexico at my dads rancho for about 4 years now),you got to get that cruck on the road!!!

[65standard]

Looks pretty good, nice job.

[ShinyC10]

Originally Posted by 65standard

Looks pretty good, nice job.

Thank you sir

[mattcrp1]

Looks good.

[tucsonjwt]

How did you handle the dip on the top (where the instrument panel area drops down to the rest of the dash) and the outside corners? Was there enough stretch with the heat gun to prevent buckling of the fabric or did you have to cut it?

[ShinyC10]

Originally Posted by tucsonjwt

How did you handle the dip on the top (where the instrument panel area drops down to the rest of the dash) and the outside corners? Was there enough stretch with the heat gun to prevent buckling of the fabric or did you have to cut it?

I started with 3 yards in vinyl so I had more than enough. It buckled a little bit at the bend but not too much. I started above the gauges then wrapped the bend. looking back on it, I should have started with the bend and worked outwards towards the edges. I will be redoing it with the correct material when I get the time (schools about to start). This vinyl is only 2 way stretch so it's much harder than it should be, I'll be ordering 4way off amazon and wrapping this thing will be a breeze

[ShinyC10]

Originally Posted by tucsonjwt

How did you handle the dip on the top (where the instrument panel area drops down to the rest of the dash) and the outside corners? Was there enough stretch with the heat gun to prevent buckling of the fabric or did you have to cut it?

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[ShinyC10]

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