Dash Cap Cover

[gpotts200]

Has anyone tried the molded dash cap cover to hind the dash cracks, http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Car-Truck-Parts-Accessories__83-84-85-Porsche-944-Dash-Pad-Cover-Cap-Black-New_W0QQitemZ260348243433QQadiZ2865QQadnZCarQ20Q26 Q20TruckQ20PartsQ20Q26Q20AccessoriesQQcmdZViewItem QQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?_trksid=p4 506.m20.l1116? I do not like the look of the carpeted covers, but want to cover my cracks.

[porsche4life]

Ya it looks like it has a molded cover on it. Not great IMHO. thats why I have just been working on filing the cracks in my dash with black Alex plus caulking. Still doesnt look great but better than before.

[gpotts200]

Has anyone tried to have the orginal dash repaired by a prefessional? Is this even possible?

[porsche4life]

I dont think there are "Professionals" I mean there is not much that can be done to save one of these dashes.
try the 928leathershop.com they do a leather wrap that looks pretty good.

[mikepellegrini]

I had one of the ones you're talking about - it came with my 83.

I ended up tossing it because it looked weird - didn't really fit all that well and I couldn't get it to sit down on the dash.

I ended up getting a fabric cover instead - from CoverKing. I bought it straight from them, not through Pelican as it was cheaper by a few bucks buying it direct.

https://store.coverking.com/detail.php

The cover fits well and looks pretty good (in comparison to all the cracks).

They have a bunch of different colors and it's about half the price of the other one.


Edit: I just looked and Pelican actually is cheaper now - Their cover (by CoverKing) is $25 vs. $36 through CoverKing.

http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/coverking/dash_cover_start.htm

[Dark Skies]

The grp covers are okay for hiding the cracks but they never seem to fit really well. They are acceptable but noticeable.

I had the 928 leathershop make me a right hand upholstered cover version for my 1983 car.

Looks much better than the cover type but you do have to remove the dash to fit it. Took me about four days from start to finish.

[ballysdad]

Justdashes.com will re do your dash back to origonal for about $1200.... 928leathershop as seen above will re cover nicely. You can remove the dash use permex repair kit on it repaint and do yourself..

[Moneyguy1]

The covers WILL fit but it is more than simply slapping them on with a bit of silicone. It takes a bit of time, patience, and determination. I have installed at least 6 in my lifetime and one developed a few bubbles after two years. I contacted the manufacturer, asking if moderate heat (flatiron and damp cloth) would do the job. The manufacturer wrote back: "Our product should not fail in this manner. We are sending you a replacement at no cost". Kudos to them.

The original dash is terrible (can't comment on the 85+; never worked on one)....compressed cardboard and about .05 mil leatherette covering. But, I must constantly remind myself:

"Excellence was expected" (but sometimes not realized)

[kilodawg]

Hey Mike,

Can you possibly post a picture of your CoverKing install. I have a carpeted cover right now and would like to see if the CoverKing is an improvement on that.

Thanks...

[mikepellegrini]

Here you go. They supply velcro fasteners that you're supposed use to attach it to the dash. I never used them, so it doesn't lay down flat as good as it could.

For $25 you can't go wrong.

[roger's 2937]

I removed my dash and had Paradise Motorsports(Lake Havasu City, Az.) recover it in Alcantara and it turned out beautifully.

Roger B.

[jcommin]

I had mine done at the 928leathershop. I didn't care for the cover. It comes down to how much do you want to spend and the condition of the remaining interior. The more you finish one item, the surrounding items look more unfinished.

[Pops944]

The molded dash cap is a good temporary cover up for the cracked dash, but the high shine is a killer on sunny days. My interior is brown, so I bought a can of camouflage paint at the hardware store in brown. This paint is made for plastic and to be non-reflective. I wiped the cover down with lacquer cleaner before painting it. The paint went on smooth, and dried in about 15 minutes. Then I installed it with silicone sealer, and used weights to hold it down while it set (actually, left them on over night). It doesn't look as good as a refinished dash, but will do until I get around to restoring my dash.

[bjd34]

Originally Posted by roger's 2937

I removed my dash and had Paradise Motorsports(Lake Havasu City, Az.) recover it in Alcantara and it turned out beautifully.

Roger B.

I considered going this route. How much did it cost?

[roger's 2937]

BJD34-Paradise Motorsports(specializes in Porsche upholstery)-928-453-8140-Mark and the cost for mine which wasn't too badly cracked was $400.

Roger B.

[trailpimp33]

The dash caps look much better if done with the dash out of the car. It really is not that difficult to pull the dash, just keep track of all your small bits.

[jcommin]

IMO if you are going to take the dash out to put a coverover it, bite the bullet and get it recovered. Taking a dash out is not for the faint of heart. Follow the procedure on Clark's, label connenections and take pictures. Most important, have patience.

[trailpimp33]

Originally Posted by jcommin

IMO if you are going to take the dash out to put a coverover it, bite the bullet and get it recovered. Taking a dash out is not for the faint of heart. Follow the procedure on Clark's, label connenections and take pictures. Most important, have patience.

I agree that the most desirable option would be to have it recovered by 928 leather or reconditioned by another shop, but if you are on a budget and want the best possible result from a cap then pulling the dash is the best way. I can not speak from experience on the later (85.5-up) cars but the early dashes are a cinch. I can pull one and install another in half a day, the only thing you have to do is bag your parts and be detailed. There are only a handfull of screws that hold the dash in place along with the bolt in the center speaker. Plus it is a great time to do any vent cleaning, small repairs like the defroster lever, or cleaning up the wiring from a PO stereo install. It is also an excellent time to install LED bulbs in the place of your old weak gauge bulbs.

[jcommin]

Trailpimp33: Totally agree with your time, vent cleaning, bulb replacing, levers etc. It's only a cinch if you have done it before. I never took a dash off before or ever attempted to something on my car that was this challenging. Clark's has a step by step process and I might add very accurate. I bagged, marked everything. Took pictures of bracket screw locations. I was very deliberate disassembling as I didn't know the accuracy of the information found on Clark's. I started at 10:00 am and removed the dash at 2:30pm stoping for lunch, water and stretching out my body occasionally.

It went in in half of the time. If I had to do it again (and I hope I don't) I agree with your time. I'm never sure of the skill sets of the Pelican members. Patience is the key in my view.

[ballysdad]

Ian from 944online.com has one recovered and ready to go for 85 1/2 I think he needs your core though not sure.. It is in the specials section