Anyone use a dash cap?

[SlantnoseSD]

My dash has some cracks in it and I currently have one of those dash carpets on it. Its ok but I would maybe like to use a dash cap.

Does anyone have one on their car and maybe have a picture to post? How is the fit and can you tell it is a cap?

[Scott R]

I have one in black sitting in my basement, I was going to install it however my dash, unlike yours has no cracks. Instead I have major warping around my defroster, so I figured of I did, it would look bad. They are however a nice product, very clean looking, I just don't want to take a grinder to my dash to get it to fit.

Looks like I am going to drop $500 on a used one in my area, then I can't wait to see what a glass store is going to charge me to pull and replace the glass.

[ralphnct]

I have one installed as a temporary fix for my badly cracked dash. I have a list of things to improve on my Targa and a new dash is way down on the priority list. All I did was trim it in a couple of places, pop the cap over the dash, and lightly tack it down in a few spots so that it would be easy to pop back off later. It looks good and doesn't rattle. I still intend to upgrade to a new dash but, at current course and speed, that will probably be three years from now. Meanwhile, my family and other passengers don't seem to notice that it isn't real. Total cost for this bit of cosmetics was ~$110 and an hour or two of my labor. My advice is to give it a shot.

[k9handler]

simple to install and will last as long as you don't leave your car in the sun all the time. Wish I had that problem...the weather in Germany just plain sucks!

[GRAYBEARD]

I went and bought some vinyl to match the leather everywhere else in the car, glued it to the cap, and installed. A relly nice temporary fix

[ossiblue]

My dash has only one very small crack by the right defrost vent, but the po had purchased a dash cap for simple protection--didn't glue it down, just trimmed a bit and put on as a cover. When I bought the car, I kept it on for the uv protection, but it comes off for "show". Only drawback is a slight rattle, but I will not glue it down.

[Paulporsche]

Graybeard,
I'd like to see a picture of your installation.

[SlantnoseSD]

Could someoen post a pic?

[ossiblue]

SlantnoseSD,

I'll try to post a pic of the dash sometime today. Again, it's only slipped on, not glued down so it is noticeable as a cover. By the way, I'm in south O.C., just a stones throw from Pendelton. If you head north sometime, stop by.

[SlantnoseSD]

Actually, I bought my car right up by you in Dana Point.

[techweenie]

I had one in a track car, and where it wasn't glued. it expanded a bit. so it ended up looking pretty bad. But that car was driven on the track in 115 degree heat and the dash got lots of sun exposure. My current track car has one just set in place without glue and has also distorted in the middle. Additionally, none are made with the correct grain. It's a quick fix at 8-9% of the cost of replacing the dash... For a better -- and still relatively low budget -- alternative, I'd be looking at a fiberglass piece from Series 900 or Getty.

[GRAYBEARD]

[GRAYBEARD]

here's one more view, hope you can see what you want

[GRAYBEARD]

sorry'bout that last shot, should have previewed.... new photo that shows dash clearly doesn't upload

[Paulporsche]

Your glued-on-vinyl dash cap looks very nice. Did you use a very thin vinyl? Contact cement?

[GRAYBEARD]

If you look at the door caps you will see the same vinyl. It is not real thin, in fact, it has a light padding on the back. I used 3-m upholstery adhesive.

[SlantnoseSD]

Where do you get door caps?

[GRAYBEARD]

here is a better picture of the dash cap and the door top. This shot also shows the knee pads that I covered in the same vinyl. I purchased the vinyl at a beanbag chair store that covers the beanbags in any material you want. I bought two yards for $20 and the spray on adhesive cost $8. The difference in color on the dash is no more than a shadow

[sammyg2]

My car had a tan cap when I bought it, looked like crap


I replaced it with an OEM brown dash later on, PITA but well worth it.