Dash pad and surrounding area

[DoobieBrother]

The `68 my wife and I inherited from her grandfather has a cheesy dash mat on it. I lifted it up and found out why. The pad is all cracked and nasty. So, I was planning to replace it when I noticed something. The pad is only about 3 or 4 inches wide. It doesn't go all the way to the window. It looks like either metal dash that was factory painted with some textured paint, or something simlar. So, it almosts looks like to completely fix this, I'd have to remove the dash, prep, and paint it. Can anyone tell me more about how this piece is setup, remedies, etc? Pics are cool too.

[Aarons72s]

Yes the stock foam dash pad is that wide. That textured paint is an anti glare paint. If you are thinking of removing the metal dash to paint it it is alot of work. The metal dash is one piece and is welded to the windshield pinch weld, so removing it probably aint your best bet. just remove your dash pad and sand the top of the dash and paint it with some flat spray paint or textured paint. Here is a link to a dash I sold. It shows what it looks like removed from a truck. Hope this helps.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=224672

[GREASEMONKEY72]

the dash pad doesnt cover the whole dash

[DoobieBrother]

Yep. All makes sense now. Not what I was hoping, but what I figured. Thanks for the info.

[GREASEMONKEY72]

you could always mask everything off really good and rattle can paint it and i think itll look fine, just take your time doing it

[WinDancer]

You can go to a fabric store and find a real close match to the material on your seats. They actually sell dash board material with a foam back already attached. If you can't find a dash material match get the right material and the foam and bond them together.
If you go slow with lots of patience you can get a deluxe looking dash, mostly just your labor. I this the stuff for my dash was about $25.00.
Good luck- post some pics when you get it done, please?