Coverage dash cover
 

I purchased a Coverlay dash cover from JC Whitney. I have a couple installation questions.
Would it be a good idea to use black duct tape to tape over the existing cracks on the dash before installing the new cover. Also, what adhesive is best to use to secure it to the dash.

Thanks, Jack

I would check the MFG guide.
Coverlay Manufacturing - Replacement Door Panels and Dash Covers

GL
John

Thanks John, I did not see that. Do you think covering the existing cracks with black duct tape would be a good idea or not.

I think I would fill the gaps with an epoxy (perhaps even JB weld). Others (from an MG forum) have recommended RTV silicone, still others have suggested fibreglass jelly and even more others swear by liquid metal filler. Of course, you can always buy the 'real stuff' from Permatex, et al. even if it is going to go under a new cover. You might also wish to consider Bondo's sun-activated quick filler. It comes in a hair-mousse-like container (with similar nozzle, too) and dispenses a jell that can be applied and tooled easily (it is a bit sticky, however, and a wee bit difficult to find).

3M makes a nice vinyl upholstery adhesive as well.

it didn't occur to me to fill the gaps. Thanks for the advice guys.

Glue does not stick to silicone. Do not use a silicone based product.

I have a dash cap, all I did was remove the old adhesive strips used for a carpet cover and cleaned off the dash with rubbing alcohol. You put a pencil thick bead of the RTV silicone that comes with it (mine did) on the edges of the cap where it installs to the dash, it's nice to have a helper or something heavy and I held everything down for a couple minutes until it had hardened some and stayed in place.

As in any paint or sealing project, a good preparation of the surface is key. The old dash skin has been covered in who knows what over the years. If the crack edges are buckled up, sand them until you have a smooth surface, fill if needed and sand smooth again. 3M makes a super adhesive for vinyl/cloth. Gather some old socks and fill them with sand to lay over the new cap and all around the edges. I would cover the entire dash surface with them the more the better for the added compression weight.

Cheers,
Larry

Socks with sand, wish I had thought of that :) Good point, none of my cracks were big enough to cause an upwards split or really uneven surface, so I didn't have much to do. If your dash is worse I could see having to work on it.

Gawernator, or anyone else that has installed one of these covers, how much trimming did you have to do to the cover to make it fit properly.. I trimmed around the steering wheel where the break in the plastic is but I am trying to decide if I should trim the ends of the cover near the doors, or leave it alone.

I didn't trim it at all, I just cleaned up all surfaces with rubbing alcohol, test fit the cover, then glued it on with the silicone. It could fit a bit better around the steering wheel area but besides that, it's a pretty nice fit.

What kind of material is this? The hard plastic? Does it look good? Why have I never heard of these? Why does everything for these cars have to cost $100+?

[QUOTE Why does everything for these cars have to cost $100+?[/QUOTE]
because it is Porsche, you're driving a porsche not a hyundai

It looks good enough to fool basically everyone I know into thinking it's the actual dash. It's not as nice as a clean new dash but it's nice. Also, because it's a Porsche, lol. I just died a little inside paying almost $100 for a new driver-side door seal. I need new hood struts and I didn't want to pay shipping for just those...

Also, I got the ABS cover from JCWhitney for around eighty dollars and free shipping with a coupon code I found via Google.

These covers are hard plastic and like Gawernator said it looks like a new dash. I think it looks a lot better than the dash rugs I have seen. I was able to trim it with a small pair of scissors. I think the improvment to the appearence of the interior is well worth 100 bucks.