Dash Pad Restoration Project

[VFR750]

I have just completed my dash pad restoration. Here is a blurry picture of a ugly leather dash that was long past it's prime:

After a few weeks of work it now looks like this:


Here is a little presentation on my Project
3.7MB Power Point Slide Show

I have not installed it yet. It is 30F in the garage right now. So it will wait a couple more weeks before it goes in. Looking forward to seeing it when I an driving the car. The old dash pad was the only eyesore in the car.

Hope you like the presentation. I can add pictures if you have a specific question. Unfortunately I did not take picture of the cut plywood. The point of the plywood is to push the shelf covering into the step in the dash, and make a clean edge. The alternative would have been to sew the face and shelf pieces of fabric together before covering the dash pad. That was outside of my skill (and I don't have a sewing machine) So the plywood, and overlap joint became the alternative method to create the seam.

I used Neoprene covered vinyl fabric. It has a nice matte sheen, and is textured like leather.

BTW, I define the face as the part of the dash you look at when seated, and the shlef as the flat area, next to the windshield (package shelf).

Mike

[JSDSKI]

Wow! Great job and presentation. More pix when installed!

[scottb]

Excellent job, and great PowerPoint presentation.

[RickM]

Beautiful work!

[imcarthur]

Thanks for your efforts in documenting it. It took me a minute to figure out the role of the plywood but I finally understood. Good job.

Make sure to post an installed picture too.

Ian

[VFR750]

Ian,

It took a while to solve the seam problem. No one I knew had a sewing machine strong enough to go through the thick material. Plus, it's tricky seam joint. I was feeling like I was not going to be able to do it. So, I punted, and tried something else.

The plywood seemed like the best way to make a sharp, defined edge at the step. After some trials, I got it to work, and the end result is a good fit up to the step in the dash pad.

[azasadny]

Great work! Excellent documentation!! Thanks.

[David E. Clark]

WOW, really nice work! Thanks.

[SP2]

Mike,

Thank you for showing us how to do this. I have a 1969 dash that looks horrible. Now I think I know what I am going to do to fix that.

Why did you use neoprene cloth instead of leather again? Because it is more durable? Too cold here to do this now, but I will give it a go this summer. Really, thank you very much!

[Loaded]

excellent presentation

[VFR750]

Originally posted by SP2
Mike,

Why did you use neoprene cloth instead of leather again? Because it is more durable? Too cold here to do this now, but I will give it a go this summer. Really, thank you very much!

I used the neoprene for two reasons: Cost and ease of use. Leather is sold in really big sheets, so it is expensive. I got quotes in the $200 range.

The neoprene looks nice and it is very stretchy. So I figured that would be easier to get it to match the contour of the dash pad. I hope it is durable. It is waterproof. So that should be one less worry, since water exposure is what ruined my dash.

Another plus, is the neoprene is over a layer of foam. So it feels very nice to the touch. Just a little bit of softness makes a difference. Regular vinyl would have a hard feel to it.

I did not consider the other materials, like suede. I wanted a leather substitute. It's not, but it looks nice.

[imcarthur]

Stretchy is probably good considering the curves involved. I think somebody on the board used Alcantara but I don't know if it was a DIY.

Ian

[Jason Cullen]

WWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWW!

[Paulporsche]

Excellent job and presentation. Thanks.

[BADLT4]

WOW.... I got to hand it to you... I don't think I would have taken on that project. Now I really know why I became a member. GREAT JOB

[mgbruno]

Mike,
Thanks for all the info. I have a pretty badly warped dash. So your saying you can straighten it by using heat? Would love some more info on how you got it straight again. I originally thought i had to buy an entire new dash - but your project gives me new hope! Thanks so much for posting this.

Mike

[SP2]

Mike,

Can you give us a source for the neoprene and the 2 dollar clips? Thanks.

[Rich76_911s]

Being that I don't have power point I cannot look at the presentation right now. Is there any other ways to see it?

Thanks for the information and the finished product is great.

Rich

[David E. Clark]

Originally posted by Rich76_911s
Being that I don't have power point I cannot look at the presentation right now. Is there any other ways to see it? ...
Rich

Download a free Powerpoint viewer from Microsoft here.

[Evans, Marv]

Great job & solution to a common problem. I'm interested in how well the adhesive holds up after setting in the sun for awhile. Keep us in mind & let us know.