This had me thinking of getting my vacuum bag setup out also. Maybe try the same method used by some of the carbon guys. Pull the dash cover off and put a plastic liner back over the dash area of the car. Spray or squeegee the dash with 60 minute epoxy (go to your RC hobby store, big bottle of epoxy there in different flavors), lay in the vinyl, place the cover plastic over it, apply the vacuum, then work out the wrinkles and such till the epoxy cures.

BTW, scuffing the old surface with 80 grit would also help the epoxy bond.

Right-on with the scuffing John. That was done in this case. The surface was then cleaned with alcohol.

If you---or anyone---does a bag technique that works... pls do post the results.

Been three years since doing this dash. Status = no issues have occurred with vinyl material or gel adhesive. There's also no warping of dash. Were I to do again, would take same path with one exception... center AC vent. Would take 3/32" off bottom and one side inside porthole in dash for this vent. This would allow vent unit to insert fully and claw-grab into dash as it is designed to (so screw mod would be avoided.) Tested leather using same procedure. Vinyl is easier material to apply due to backing---vinyl's cloth woven backing is perfect whereas leather's backing is not. Am sure leather could be applied with same result as vinyl but "practice" is needed. While not 100% sure, I believe leather tends to shrink and expand more than automotive vinyl depending on cabin heat/cold.

Great write-up Karl, mad skills....

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