DashTop™ dash "caps" are not bad! - Page 2

}{arlequin · }{arlequin's Garage

I'm all done but did not re-install it yet. This is what the process looked like. You have to be patient b/c once you get to the curvy areas, you need to pull the fabric in several directions to get it to smooth out. This means that you have to do a section and then wait until next day so it's completely dry. A bit of a pain but I think it'll be worth it for some cheap bling appeal.

doozer · doozer's Garage

Woooo - - More photos please

Is that 3M spray??

Was it difficult where the gauge "hump" meets the dash?

Wrecked944 · 03-08-2005, 06:31 AM

Yes, yes, please...more pictures!!

}{arlequin · }{arlequin's Garage

some more of the finished product

my approach was to do the large flat area first, and then to take care of the crease for the gauges in two separate attempts

then I did the section all the way to the left (above the ignition/light switch) after which I attacked the right side

then I finished up with the section above the glove box

I used (spotted correctly) the 3M spray adhesive but it's a messy affair. Tough to aim the stream of glue shooting out of the can.... For best results, spray the area and then the fabric as well and let it sit for approx 30 sec. Then it becomes really tacky but you can still peel it off and stretch it in the right direction. If you join surfaces too soon, the glue is too wet and it won't stick very well on the curvy sections.

Apply the adhesive liberally but not too much. One or two spots where I sprayed too much on the fabric seeped through and to a picky person it's visible if you stick your nose on the windshield. I'm not picky, the car is not a concours queen and I'm just satisfied from getting it done, so I don't care as much, but you should know what to avoid for next time. From the driver's seat it looks great.

this is the backside (bottom) of the set up. You can clearly see the spray pattern of the glue. Care must be taken when spraying the "tight" areas so you don't shoot over the top portion of the fabric. The 3M stuff is really sticky and tough to remove from any fabric.

smestas · smestas's Garage

Dave,

That looks GREAT! I think I have finaly found the solution for my cracked dash. Is the fabric shown on your dash one whole piece? Did you buy the material from GulfFabrics?

greglepore · 03-09-2005, 04:03 AM

You can get 3m trim adhesive in tubes and spread it with a brush-its known as FasTack trim adhesive-try Napa. Also perfect for gluing on tubular bike tires.

}{arlequin · }{arlequin's Garage

Wish I knew I could avoid spraying the glue everywhere

Simon,
I got the fabric from a "regular" fabric store. I got two yards of it at whatever width they normally provide. Total was approx $50-$60. In retrospect, I could have used a little more b/c to cover it all up I had to place the fabric diagonally to maximize it. But, yes it's all one piece.

The benefit of this job (besides the looks) is that it makes the cap more snug and it eliminates a lot of the rattles that I used to hear.

Yellowbird RS · 03-09-2005, 06:53 AM

my up date
the hairliner

Yellowbird RS · 03-09-2005, 06:54 AM

Dave your dash looks great.

}{arlequin · }{arlequin's Garage

thanks, it gives me this "custom work"/DTM race car feel

cowtown · 03-09-2005, 07:18 AM

Dave, that's outstanding. Another project to add to my list.

}{arlequin · }{arlequin's Garage

Colin,
With the prices for new or good condition dashboards approaching the ridiculous, and the professional shops still charging almost HALF that for a fix, it looked to me like the only way to go. My car came with the cap and I didn't mind the look, but I knew I could make it nicer.

Quote:

Originally posted by DrewT
Watch leaving the dash caps in the sun too long. I had one on a Saab and always left the car in the sun. Over time the cap pulled away from the dash and lost its shape. I live in a very hot climate in the summer.

Somehow mine hasn't done that and the PO had it on there for a while before me too. It could be b/c of how it's mounted. the "front" part is wedged as far as it can go against the windshield, therefore it's held in there very snug. The rest of it is secured by several discreet, black screws (gasp!

). I know it's not the cleanest way, but it sure held on well, and it took me a while to even notice all the screws holding it in place.

The bigger question will be whether under some heat and sun the fabric separates from the surface. I doubt it b/c that 3M stuff hardens nicely and it doesn't look like it will soften much with heat, but only time will tell. Maybe by then I can afford a real dash

JackT · 03-09-2005, 07:36 AM

Dave, mine was glued to the dash so that is probably why the heat effected it.

scottb · 03-09-2005, 07:57 AM

I'm interested to see how the upholstered cap fits over the dash. Hopefully the upholstery won't interfere with a clean installation.

You might try a little lacquer thinner to remove any unwanted glue. I ordered some door pockets from Original Fit (never again, BTW) and they had glue on the carpet. When I called to complain, I was told to use lacquer thinner. It worked, and didn't harm the carpet. Be careful. YMMV.

Nice work!

Deschodt · 11:54 AM

Ok, run this all by me again (sorry for being thick)... This is a cap that just slides on top of your cracked dash? I am checking because your pictures show a removed windshield and all, symptoms of a replaced dash, not a capped one... If so, I have always wanted an alcantara dash on my car (73.5 with crack) so you could be the best inspiration ever... I'd want to see how it fits with that extra layer of cloth though, I suspect it'll stick out or something....

If OTOH I gotta remove my dash, repair it, pop the windshield etc, that is not so much fun anymore as I have a decent custom carpet to cover the dash right now.

}{arlequin · }{arlequin's Garage

Well, my 73.5 has *many* cracks in the dash

The cap that was in my car does not require the removal of the windshield. It just slides on top of the dash which is what made me want to even attempt this project.

As for the fit... I've been too busy/lazy to put it in but I may get around to it tonight. Even by itself, the plastic cap is not really a "speed-skater-suit" fit, just an approximation of the shape of the dash. Since it's not really an exact fit, the fabric should not interfere. If it does, then I'll remove as much as possible of the overlap material from the bottom of the cap.

Deschodt · 03-09-2005, 12:18 PM

Excellent, please do post a picture when you are done if it's not too much trouble...

The one on the right needs help dash wise - just finished recovering the dash on the left (much easier).. ;-)

And no, I am not color blind, just unlucky in the colors I find for sale ;-)

MikeSid · 03-09-2005, 12:25 PM

Other than the difficulty of removing the existing dash, does anyone know why this same reupholstry job could not be done to the dash itself as opposed to a dash cap that fits over the dash?

}{arlequin · }{arlequin's Garage

sweet cars!

MikeSid,
I can't think of any other reason. It probably could be done to the dash itself, as long as you had a way of masking/filling in the cracks that are on the dash... if there are any. Otherwise, I think they would show through.

zefreds · zefreds's Garage

Reupholstery is absolutely possible...competent auto reupholstery shops will do that for about $400-$500 (in the SF Bay Area) (that's what I got quoted)