What is the best dash cover?

[tkohl]

Can't afford to replace the dash right now. Bought this felt thing that seems to be a joke. What have any of you all used that fits half way decent?
Thanks.

[bimas]

Hmm, that is a tricky question. The carpet cover seems pretty good if you get one chroma reputable reseller. I am not a fan, but lots of guys like them. It's certainly better looking than a severely cracked dash. Some guys report that it slides around a bit and you need a few Velcro spots to hold it down.

I have seen several cases of the vinyl 'skin' cover. They are atrocious. They don't even look good new, and they warp pretty quickly. They will also set you back over $100 - money completely waisted.

Other options (down the line) include re-vinyl, or recover (leather or vinyl substitute). All options over $1k.

My acquaintance (who owes me a favor) used to work in an upholstery shop. He claims to have assisted on 3 leather dash recover jobs. I hope he does good work on his own...

[mauryc]

In order of expense:

1) Carpet - some are better than others.
2) Plastic dash cover - Can look decent if installed correctly but warp at the drop of a hat in high heat conditions and will squeak and rattle.
3) Used dash that is in better shape than yours - there is the hastle of replacement and it MAY continue to crack. On the bright side at least you now have experience at replacing the dash.
4) Dash recover - $$$.

I'm on #3 now. Doubt I'll ever get to #4 given the shape of the rest of my car.

[tlister67]

My carpet dash cover came with velcro so that it could be attached. It has not moved in a couple years. I got mine off a company on ebay. I went with a camel tan color that matches the interior but not trying to match the dash. It also should reduce temperature.

I had a Challenger that I put a plastic cover on. I leveled places where cracks protruded and glued it to the dash while out of the car. It looked pretty good but that was a simple dash and fit well. It also was always garaged, so not many exposures to heat.

[Dash01]

Anybody tried re-cover with 4 way stretch marine grade vinyl? Reportedly used for boat, car, and motorcycle seats where weather resistance and ability to withstand weathering are major factors. 4 way stretch means ability to drape and conform to irregular and concave surfaces.

Also (and sounds like sacrilege), anybody tried filling in the cracks, sanding flush, then spraying on PlastiDip colored coating? Can be peeled off if necessary. semi-gloss, weathers well, and has been used for shadowline, wheel, bumper cover, and other exterior applications. Could get a crappy dash from a junkyard and experiment.

[Roku35]

There is a thread somewhere here that did exactly that. Filled the cracks, sanded smooth and then spray painted with SEM vinyl paint. Came out nice, just that the texture of the sprayed dash with the paint was not consistent. Still nice looking though. The hard part with that kind of fix is not being sure how long this fix will last once the heat got to it again. To protect it, would you end up covering it up again with a carpet or velour cover anyway?

[Pabloel]

There is a thread somewhere here that did exactly that. Filled the cracks, sanded smooth and then spray painted with SEM vinyl paint. Came out nice, just that the texture of the sprayed dash with the paint was not consistent. Still nice looking though. The hard part with that kind of fix is not being sure how long this fix will last once the heat got to it again. To protect it, would you end up covering it up again with a carpet or velour cover anyway?

I recall the thread you mention and I believe the jb weld used to fill the cracks started to crack after a year or so.

I am gonna tackle this project aswell in my restoration and based on this guys experience I decided to fiberglass over the dash, sand, paint. If it looks like crap I can wrap it with 3m fabric but I will have very solid base to work on which will be somewhat protected from warping and cracking again.

I wonder if the ebay dash covers are actually worthless or they need the dashboard to be prepared in certain way so they do not warp or peel off.

[Bert Poliakoff]

As one of the first to have a complete dash remold done, I can attest to the quality and cosmetics of doing it in spite of the $$$$. I also know that there are guys out there that do vinyl repair, they can be found in the yellow pages. In doing the repairs, they are experts at matching the original grain of the material so it will blend in. This could be another avenue to explore. Stay away from the dash caps!!

[Dash01]

If one were to use the 4 way stretch vinyl off a roll, color and texture would be consistent. Not many manufacturers make such stuff, which is stretchy in all directions. I've not done this yet, but plan to for a motorcycle seat. Warm the stuff in the sun or heat lamp, then use vacuum to draw it down into the various concave parts, taking the shape. Then remove, apply slow set contact cement, re-apply vacuum until the adhesive cures. Could use this 4 way vinyl sheet on door cards, etc., and/or headliner.

One of the guys on the Porsche forums filled cracks with Bondo or JB Weld or paintable silicone from a tube, sanded lightly to match contour of the dash, resprayed with upholstery paint, and it looked like the day it left the factory. I'm pretty sure he did all this with the dash and windshield in the car, careful with masking.

[Roku35]

One of the guys on the Porsche forums filled cracks with Bondo or JB Weld or paintable silicone from a tube, sanded lightly to match contour of the dash, resprayed with upholstery paint, and it looked like the day it left the factory. I'm pretty sure he did all this with the dash and windshield in the car, careful with masking.

If you have more time then $$$, then it is always worth a try. Nothing wrong with a little elbow grease to get by surface cosmetics. But like mentioned before, how long will this patchwork last? 1, 2, maybe 3 years. With differing materials and substrates, heat exposure will be the culprit again. If you garage the car all the time, then movement in the finish materials can be minimized. If kepted outside, it probably will only be a matter of time before surface deteriorates again. Good luck, reworking dashes are never easy. I am a proponent of re-covering your dash with a reputable company as Bert has mentioned.

[tkohl]

Thanks everyone. I always have more time than money. Don't find many parts cars around here anymore. Used to be a lot more but over the last couple years they have faded. I will try the velcro thing and play with the filling part. Can't make it look any worse.

[NOLA6]

Mine had a dash cap when I bought it. Poorly installed or poor quality, it is badly warped. I can see huge cracks under it. It's not highest on the list of projects, but I'd love to see how others have handled this. tkohl, please post pics of how your project ends up. Thanks.

Here's where I am now...

[e24pilot]

Yikes! I had considered the cap option in years past, but living in AZ, that is probably not the best option.

Has anyone see the new SuedeMat option? Looks a lot nicer than the DashMats of yore... Same company, but more modern material and maybe a better fit.


Mine had a dash cap when I bought it. Poorly installed or poor quality, it is badly warped. I can see huge cracks under it. It's not highest on the list of projects, but I'd love to see how others have handled this. tkohl, please post pics of how your project ends up. Thanks.

Here's where I am now...

[dm635]

I took one of those caps to the SESF swap meet a few years ago. A lot of people checked it out & I could hardly give the thing away. Think I took maybe $10 for it. Was not going to take it back home with me. I have enough cracks that I'd use a carpet/rug cover.

[SharkInfested]

Nola, it hurts my eyes to look at your dash pic. Good luck with the project and let us know what you eventually do.

[rem83]

When I bought my car, it had a dash cap in similar condition to the one posted above. When I took it off, I actually preferred the cracked dash to the warped cover. I went with a used replacement dash, but bought one of those carpet covers anyway. 2 years in with liberal application of aerospace303, the carpet cover and windshield sun blockers, and not a single crack has formed in the used dash (car is parked outside in Houston).

[tkohl]

SuedeMat looks interesting. Anyone tried?

[tlister67]

SuedeMat looks interesting. Anyone tried?

That is what mine is. I like it and has held up for a couple years.

[Gunz635]

I had a cracked dash and used those plastic dashboard cover replacement. I really looks great and you cannot tell its a dash cover. its only $80 bucks. Its money well spent and they come in all colors.

[rvaughnp]

this looks cool.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvkyrPLfDQk

[NOLA6]

Funny. I was just thinking over the past couple of days about the possibility of having the dash wrapped. I can't imagine what it would take to fill the cracks to make it work. Maybe fiberglass first, then the wrap.

[bimas]

Funny. I was just thinking over the past couple of days about the possibility of having the dash wrapped. I can't imagine what it would take to fill the cracks to make it work. Maybe fiberglass first, then the wrap.

I think that the challenge is to fill in the cracks with lasting effects. Although, it may not be as crucial for a wrap or recover.

[tkohl]

Think I'm going to check into this wrap thingy. Wonder if you have to take the dash out still.

[Roku35]

Think I'm going to check into this wrap thingy. Wonder if you have to take the dash out still.

Keep us posted on your developments. I can't see how someone can wrap a dash without taking it out of the car. But, then again, never say never :dunno

I usually recommend to go out and find another used (and less cracked)dash and then work on restoring that one. That way, your 6er will still be road worthy all the way up until you are ready to do the install of your refurbished dash. No matter which way you look at it, all the roads lead you back to doing a recovering of your dash. Even if you have to save up for it, having that nice clean crack free dash will pay itself back in more ways than one. My 2 cents.

[tkohl]

Totally agree on that. Getting harder to find these cars around here anymore. Just have to be patient.

[bimas]

Think I'm going to check into this wrap thingy. Wonder if you have to take the dash out still.

I think that you ave to take the dash out in order to wrap it properly. I also wonder how big of a piece you need, my guess is that the 60"x48" should do with plenty left over for small projects.

Also, 3M states that 'indoor' life of the foil is guaranteed for 12 years. I wonder How long it really lasts on the dash, and I'd you can still use 303 protectant on it to prolong its life, or of it's just how long the adhesive lasts...

[E5CAP3]

Has anyone ever tried wrapping a dash cap in suede, leather etc. prior to actually installing it? I feel like that would alleviate the plastic look/feel and help with warping.

[dbc011]

I just had my headliner done in suede. When I was picking out my color, the guy asked me where in the car it was going. He said headliner was fine, dash/rear dash not a good idea due to sun. Apparently the color fades.

I'm not sure how Aston Martin and some others are doing it since they ship with suede dashes, but the owner of the fabric spot said all suede fades with sunlight.


Leather or vinyl is the way to go, but as you can read above, it's not cheap.

Keep in mind the dash is front and center for you and anyone in your car. Pulling the dash, the work associated with covering it, and re-installation is not an easy project. If you go a shortcut route, and it turns out looking like you did, you will regret it.

My advice is to purchase a dash or have an upholstry shop restore one.