Dash pad rebuild-teaser

wagonmaster · May 21, 2008

Stormin' Norman said: ↑

And then you find out there's specific products for this repair job: :banghead3:
http://mmb.maverick.to/showthread.php?t=41562
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Step 1

Remove Dash Pad.

Step 2

Clean the Dash Pad with soap & water and let dry. Then clean with a wax & grease remover. Be sure to do the underside because this is where the adhesive really needs to hold for the vinyl to stay tight.

Step 3

All the cracks & imperfections need to be prepped for the new vinyl. Start off by running your hand over the cracks. You will feel the vinyl raised or cupped at both sides of the crack. You will need to remove the cupped vinyl. What I did was just press on it with finger or thumb & break the hard vinyl back to a flat area. Remove any loose pieces from the padding below. Then take a single edge razor blade and at about 30 degree angle scrape both edges of the crack to create a bevel. Next blow off all dust and debri and if the cracks are large be sure foam is in good condition. If any loose foam is present, remove it at this time.

Step 4

We now need to repair the cracks. What I used is sealant foam (Pic 1). You can get this at any hardware store or home center. I got mine at Eastwood Company (Item #52038 Z). Spray the foam into the cracks. You will need to work the foam into the cracks (But not more than needed) with small puddy knife or something similar. The foam now need to dry for about 8 hours.

Step 5

With the foam now cured we need to trim the foam flush with the dash pad.You can use a sharp knife or razor blade. You will see as you cut the foam air pockets in the foam. Don't worry these will be filled in the step 7.

Step 6

Using 180 grit sand paper (Use a block not your fingers to sand) Sand the foam flat with the dash Pad surface. At this time you can also sand the rest of the pad. This will give better adhesion for the adhesive. (Don't foget about the bottom of the pad) Now clean all sanding dust off the pad.

Step 7

Now we will fill and smooth the cracks with Padded Dash Filler (Pic 2). I bought this also from Eastwood (Item # 50118). This is a flexable polyester filler used for repairing padded dashes. Follow directions on the can. Spread a thin layer on the repair area and let dry about 30 minutes. Then sand till smooth and flat with the pad surface. If the pad still has imperfections repeat step 7. Remember it needs to be fairly flat. Any major dips or lumps will show up in the new vinyl. Now if your satisfied with your work clean the Pad again with wax & grease remover or a pre paint prep.

Step 8

You are now ready to cover the Pad with the new vinyl. Cut a piece of vinyl 10 inches X 6 foot. Its a good idea to have the vinyl warm so it is more plyable. You can use a heat gun or hair dryer. Carefull not to overheat or burn the vinyl. I also used the heat gun to help with the wrinkles you will read about later in this article. Lay the vinyl good side down on a good work surface. (You might want to lay something disposable down, the glue can be messy). We will start the adhesive process over the instrument panel section of the Pad first and work to the ends one at a time. Start by spraying adhesive on the vinyl (where the hump is in the Pad)
and on the Pad itself and let the glue setup for 5 minutes to get tacky. (Do Not Use Contact Cement. This will not allow you a chance to spread or reposition the vinyl) Place the Pad upside down onto the vinyl making sure your centered on the vinyl. Start to gently strech the vinyl to the back of the pad paying attention the vinyl is smooth and tight. continue working it till you get the look you want. Then pull back the vinyl to where the adhesive ended. Apply adhesive to both the Pad and vinyl as much as you feel comfortable working with until you reach the ends. (Work from area of gauge cluster out to the ends one at a time). At this time you have covered the old Dash Pad with new vinyl and it needs to be trimed. Simply use a single edge razor blade and carefully trim the excess vinyl (Be sure to leave at least a 1/4 inch wrap around on the bottom).

NOTE: When reaching the ends of the Pad the vinyl wants to bunch up and create wrinkles on the front edge. To minimize this when you get to the end of the Pad pull towards the front (Windshield side of Pad) and the end to minimize these wrinkles. I had a couple wrinkles but when the dash is mounted you can't even see them and it was a 1000 time better than what I had.

This is what worked for me. Hope this helps someone to make there ride a little better!!!!

Here is a link to the Vinyl I used http://www.yourautotrim.com/bocogrvi.html

Pictures of the products I used

Click to expand...

tbirdsps · May 22, 2008

Now that looks like a pretty similar process that I did. Except laying new vinyl. If I have to re-do mine I'll go with new vinyl.

It's amazing what a person can accomplish for a few dollars. This process would cost $450 and up for a professional to do the job.

Fantastic

Roadking41A · May 22, 2008

Thank You Sahib

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Dash pad rebuild-teaser

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Dash pad rebuild-teaser

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