I recovered my dash

[VOTS89]

I know this isn't anything new but I wanted to share my results to encourage anyone who is thinking about doing this to go-for-it!

I'm redoing my interior and had the dash out so I thought I'd try to recover it myself. The cracks in the vinyl were mainly in the same area.




Here's a picture with the vinyl removed from the dash, it came right off.




Here's a picture with the new vinyl partially glued on.




Finished and installed.






I used this contact adhesive because from what I read it was the most recommended and would stand up to the heat we get here in Phoenix.




I bought the vinyl from a local fabric store, this material is manufactured for outside patio furniture so I'm thinking it will last inside my car. I searched for posts here at Pelican on what others had to say about doing this. I also did a google search and read a number of posts and watched several videos before I got started. I just did this in July and it's hot here so I didn't need a heat gun to stretch the vinyl, it was very stretchable just the way it was.

All total I might have 10 hours into the project and the cost was around $200. The biggest expense was $150 for the trim piece that covers the defroster vents, I got it from Classic 9 Leather Shop, nice helpful people there! I can't see doing this job without that trim piece.

My biggest advice for anyone tryng this is to take your time and be patient. I did this over several weeks time, you can't do it all at once because you have to let the adhesive dry before you can move on to another section.

It's not perfect but it exceeded my expectations and I think it's very doable by anyone who wants to try it.

Bruce

[zedsn]

You did a very nice job and looks great.

[J1NX3D]

that looks great!
do you have a pic of the $150 piece of trim in question?

[kcoyle]

I'm guessing this is extra difficult on an early dash? Anyone ever do it?



Yours dash looks the business BTW.

[GreenWater]

Your dash looks very nice. What did you do about the old vinyl? Did you do any repairs to the cracked area? Did you just glue the new vinyl over the old dash vinyl?

[914efi]

I was looking at the vinyl that is used for wrapping cars, etc. You can buy it in plain colors, Avery is supposed to be the best. There are videos on YT showing how to wrap items and I think it would work on an early dash. Like anything, the prep has to be good or any flaws will show through.

[Gawernator]

Looks great.

[kcoyle]

Originally Posted by 914efi

I was looking at the vinyl that is used for wrapping cars, etc. You can buy it in plain colors, Avery is supposed to be the best. There are videos on YT showing how to wrap items and I think it would work on an early dash. Like anything, the prep has to be good or any flaws will show through.

Interesting, thanks.

[VOTS89]

Thanks everybody for the feedback!

Originally Posted by mAd924

that looks great!
do you have a pic of the $150 piece of trim in question?

Here's the web page for the defroster trim piece, it's about 80% of the way down the page. Without this the dash looked pretty bad.

Classic 9 Leather Shop: Dashboard, Leather Console Panel Covers Porsche Automobiles


GreenWater, the second picture is the dash with the vinyl removed, it peeled right off. Underneath the vinyl is a firm, closed cell foam. I used SEM flexible bumper repair to fill the cracks and then sanded it down, it was pretty easy to work with. I then glued the new vinyl on top of the foam.

Bruce

[GreenWater]

Thanks, I need to recover my dash and I wasn't sure what exactly what was under the vinyl. But first I need to fix the oil leaking by the valves.(yay)

[ditch68]

Looks fantastic, and thanks for posting this. It gives me confidence I will be able to do it myself, I have a couple cracks but this job is down the list a little bit. I have the same interior as yours.

Im in Tucson, this summer sun will soften vinyl just fine!

Jeff

[mytrplseven]

Did you use a thin foam layer as a buffer? Where did you get the adhesive? Your finished product is professional grade.

[stogie25]

You did great!!! I pulled my dash and had it recovered, because I chickened out doing what you did. I used the same metal cover.

[VOTS89]

Thanks everyone for the feedback!

Originally Posted by mytrplseven

Did you use a thin foam layer as a buffer? Where did you get the adhesive? Your finished product is professional grade.

I was going to use some EVA foam but decided not to, the factory foam underneath was in good shape. For the adhesive, I went to the DAP website and searched for retailers in the Phoenix area, $30 for a gallon and it's really good stuff.

stogie25, I can't see doing this job without that trim piece, it really finishes the job. oohrah!

ditch68, I recommend trying this when the time comes, with some patience anyone can get a nice dash and save some money too. Is it hot here or what, we're in a heat advisory until Sunday!

I haven't been able to figure out how to quote multiple members in the same post, can anyone reading this point that out for me? Thanks

Bruce

[massive]

Originally Posted by VOTS89

I know this isn't anything new but I wanted to share my results to encourage anyone who is thinking about doing this to go-for-it!

I'm redoing my interior and had the dash out so I thought I'd try to recover it myself. The cracks in the vinyl were mainly in the same area.




Here's a picture with the vinyl removed from the dash, it came right off.




Here's a picture with the new vinyl partially glued on.




Finished and installed.






I used this contact adhesive because from what I read it was the most recommended and would stand up to the heat we get here in Phoenix.




I bought the vinyl from a local fabric store, this material is manufactured for outside patio furniture so I'm thinking it will last inside my car. I searched for posts here at Pelican on what others had to say about doing this. I also did a google search and read a number of posts and watched several videos before I got started. I just did this in July and it's hot here so I didn't need a heat gun to stretch the vinyl, it was very stretchable just the way it was.

All total I might have 10 hours into the project and the cost was around $200. The biggest expense was $150 for the trim piece that covers the defroster vents, I got it from Classic 9 Leather Shop, nice helpful people there! I can't see doing this job without that trim piece.

My biggest advice for anyone tryng this is to take your time and be patient. I did this over several weeks time, you can't do it all at once because you have to let the adhesive dry before you can move on to another section.

It's not perfect but it exceeded my expectations and I think it's very doable by anyone who wants to try it.

Bruce

Was the material 2-way or 4-way stretch vinyl? Can you post the name and number of the fabric store you used?

[xsbank]

Massive, why did you quote the entire article? Most of us have enough reading comprehension and coordination with a finger for scrolling to actually remember the photos or go back for another look. Please explain your thinking.

I have read some of your blog and its very good. Thank you!

[massive]

Originally Posted by xsbank

Massive, why did you quote the entire article? Most of us have enough reading comprehension and coordination with a finger for scrolling to actually remember the photos or go back for another look. Please explain your thinking.

I have read some of your blog and its very good. Thank you!

Apologies xsbank I will try to be more conservative in my posting in future