Dash Pads

[Jeepwm69]

Originally Posted by Jaysonb

Mine was blue and all cracked, l used a nice 4 way stretch vinyl, some good contact cement and a heat gun. Turned out nice. I also did my door panels to match. I'm into it for about $50.

That looks awesome. Are you willing to go into more detail? Where did you get the fabric (not sure what "4 way stretch" means)?

Did you glue one side, let it dry, then stretch and glue/clamp the other side or ???

I tried doing vinyl on an old Fiat dash when I was much younger. It looked worse when I finished than it did when I started.

[v30crewcab]

stitch is now automotive professional interiors LLC on facebook.
But I'm still interested in what vinyl you used.

[jetmech85]

I googled "stretch vinyl" and found some. Looks very interesting.

[Jaysonb]

I can't fine the name of the exact vinyl that I used, but if you google 4 way stretch upholstery vinyl, you will find a bunch to choose from. Using a good quality adhesive is key. The best is Dap landau top and trim adhesive. I think the smallest amount that it comes in is a gallon though, you can spray it through any cheap paint gun. You just have to clean everything well with wax and grease remover, remove any loose stuff, on the back of my dash I took a rolock sanding disk and cleaned up the metal around the edges. Cut you piece big, start on one end, spray some glue on the dash and the vinyl, let it tack up, and press them together. Now go to the other end and do the same, but make sure that before you press them together that you pull a good stretch into it. Now flip the dash over and work your way around the sides. I had to shoot a little glue where the dash curves to the right of the gauges, but you do most of the gluing on the back side of the dash, that way the vinyl is stretched tight, and "floats" over the dash and hides any cracks or imperfections. For the defrost vents you just cut an x in the opening, shoot on some glue, and pull it around the back side nice and tight. Any glue that gets on any vinyl that shows easily wipes off with some mineral spirits.

[UKNOWME]

Do you have any before pics?

[slotard]

I'll have to pick up a junkyard dash and try that. It looks amazing on yours. Are they all the same? If I want aluminum rather than wood can I use a newer dash without changing anything else? How about the gauge bezel too?

[Phillip Pennartz]

lurk

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by Phillip Pennartz

lurk

???

[Phillip Pennartz]

"lurk" another way to say I'm subscribing to this thread

[UKNOWME]

Originally Posted by Phillip Pennartz

"lurk" another way to say I'm subscribing to this thread

Thanks