DashTop™ dash "caps" are not bad!

[MikeSid]

"competent reupholstry" probably wouldn't be me doing it in my garage. But I think I may give this a shot.

[Wrecked944]

Dave, that is supreme. Thanks for sharing the pics and info. Don't be surprised if the day comes soon when you can spot a Pelican car by the ultrasuede on the dash cap.

[MikeSid]

.

[Yellowbird RS]

update on my hairliner


tomorow the dash & door arm rest

[doozer]

So when you were done were you tempted to lay on your back in your seat and walk barefoot on your headliner - I would have been

That looks GREAT!

[smestas]

Wow! Headliners also. Looks awesome YellowBird.

We need to move these posts and make a "ultrasuede" thread.

[}{arlequin]

Maybe just a general "pimpin' my ride" thread

yello-bird, that looks great. Makes my dash job look like a spark plug job compared to a 915 rebuild

[Deschodt]

Pimpin' ? The 997 has an alcantara headliner ;-) And it's the car's best feature too ! I am all for this ! Did you make the headliner by stitching pieces together ? Template ?

This is all very cool. Maybe I should fix my temps gauge first but I like this thread !

[Yellowbird RS]

an up-date

[}{arlequin]

Wow, color-coded stitiching??? Now that's stylin'

Looks great. Did you do it yourself? Nice job! Very even stitiching. Guess that was a way to go for me too, but after I finished re-covering my seats I quickly returned the sewing machine back to the store

[scottb]

I'm impressed with the workmanship!

Let me ask the collective, though. Is the contrast between the vinyl on the dash and the ultrasuede too stark? Like them or not, the Dash Cap sort of blends in with the factory dash. Once upholstered with ultrasuede, the contrast is obvious.

Thoughts?

[}{arlequin]

It's a bit darker under the dash, so the un-upholstered part isn't as glaring, and besides, my dash top, and every one elses, was smooth (leather I think... maybe vinyl) while my dash panel is basketweave. I don't think anyone ever thought that they don't match even though the texture is different.

I haven't gotten around to it but I will post some pics later. In my opinion, the difference "disappears" and isn't noticeable.

[Biff]

Could this whole procedure be done with a good quality full grain leather, it might look better than original that way? Biff

[techweenie]

I've seen recovers done with the vinyl that has the *exact* grain cast into the factory dash. So it's definitely out there.

As a veteran of several 'dash top' coverup installs, I have to warn that they will warp badly over time. And if you use the silicone adhesive inconsistently, the shell will expand where it's *not* stuck down, making the warping potentially ugly. but at 1/10th the cost of a new dash (uninstalled) maybe replacing the dash cap can be considered maintenance.

[Biff]

I re-roofed a flat rubber roof section of my home last fall and used some really strong industrial contact adhesive. If that stuff can take direct sun year after year for 20-30 years I would think it could hold down a piece of vinyl or leather for a while. What do you think? Biff

[techweenie]

Biff, use a lot of it, uniformly under the entire area, and I bet it'll essentially be permanent.

[Deschodt]

I've gotten a dash top following this post and I gotta say the fit is impressive ! In seconds my car went to multiple cracks dash to smooth ! it's not the same material, it's a toupee alright, but I kinda like it ! The only thing - not reported above - is the fit is so-so where the air vents are. You have to remove the plastic air vent covers fo ra good fit and then you have those ugly metal slats visible... But overall, for $80, I'd recommend one !

[}{arlequin]

"appearance update"

[89turbocabmike]

Looks like it's holding up well Dave

[smestas]

MMMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmmmmm..............

Me likes that dash alot }{arlequin!!