Dash Refinsh - Opinion Welcomed (Look see)

[Noober1]

As you all know I've been restoring my Nav and one of the things I wanted to get just right is the interior because a nice interior is the first step of the driving experience. 1st I tried the stupid vinyl repair kit and just cracked the dash more....then I decided if bondo is good enough for exterior body work, then it's good enough to fill in the chunks I ripped out of my dash. Here's the repaired yet ugly result.

While sanding the dash down I soon realized the expensive automotive interior paint I bought was going to look lousy on a sanded worn down texture. Racking my itty bitty brain...I thought....I know! I'll try those graphic vinyl wraps... After picking some up on Ebay and trying to apply it....I realized it was going to be too difficult for me to work with. Down but not beaten, I decided to roll the dice on some carbon fiber "cloth." In other words...the FAKE stuff. So, what do you think? Should I skin the whole dash?

 

[SLewis]

I like it. finish it! How bout you come do my dash?


Steve

 

[Suicide77]

Um... Can I add a "Hell Yeah!!!"

 

[Anime]

The trouble with the carbon fiber look stuff is you need a really big sheet to do something that size. You can try to match up the edges and it might look ok, but a single long sheet is really the way to go. Those small sheets are made to do one or two exterior mirrors or stuff like that.

If you don't really care about getting it perfect then it might be fine. The other options would be some other type of fabric or just painting it.

 

[Noober1]

The trouble with the carbon fiber look stuff is you need a really big sheet to do something that size. You can try to match up the edges and it might look ok, but a single long sheet is really the way to go. Those small sheets are made to do one or two exterior mirrors or stuff like that.

If you don't really care about getting it perfect then it might be fine. The other options would be some other type of fabric or just painting it.

Yep, that's a "piece" of the yard I got...So, before I bought the "two" yards needed...I wanted to go ahead and try it first. I bought the yard thinking it would be enough.

 

[corkey]

maybe take the pad all the way off, so it's easier too ,, usually it's done in a vacuum machine cause the creases can be a pain,, get a razor knife so you can slice it easier,,

 

[colintrax]

Just as an fyi, the dash material is made of a soft material for safety. Just as a warning

I think the carbon fiber might look a little cheesy, but if it looks real then that would look pretty cool. Have you thought about a custom dash?

 

[Noober1]

Just as an fyi, the dash material is made of a soft material for safety. Just as a warning

I think the carbon fiber might look a little cheesy, but if it looks real then that would look pretty cool. Have you thought about a custom dash?

Custom dash where?

 

[Jason94sport]

Couldn't you take the thing out & replace it with a better looking used dash?
Looks like you already have everything apart.

 

[colintrax]

What do you mean "custom dash where?" You build a dash that looks and is shaped the way you want. IE custom

 

[Noober1]

I guess you've done a custom dash before? Please share any photos.

 

[colintrax]

I haven't? I'm just saying it would be cool.
If you're trying to be an ass, I never said I've built one nor did I say it would be easy.
If you haven't seen a custom dash, learn how to use google.

 

[Noober1]

I haven't? I'm just saying it would be cool.
If you're trying to be an ass, I never said I've built one nor did I say it would be easy.
If you haven't seen a custom dash, learn how to use google.

Lol... Not trying to be an ass. I was hoping you had so I could've seen how you did it.

 

[colintrax]

Haha ok, I want to make a custom dash but that's a project far far away

 

[Noober1]

Haha ok, I want to make a custom dash but that's a project far far away

Ya... I was going to "try" then I thought..... better play it safe. It looks pretty involved and I'm up to my elbows with everything else.

 

[briwayjones]

A couple comments/observations. I am wondering how well the bondo will hold up being on such a flexible surface? I could see it cracking and coming apart, but I don't have that much experience with bondo. And did you try Krylon Fusion paint to see how that would turn out on the dash?

 

[Noober1]

A couple comments/observations. I am wondering how well the bondo will hold up being on such a flexible surface? I could see it cracking and coming apart, but I don't have that much experience with bondo. And did you try Krylon Fusion paint to see how that would turn out on the dash?

Yeah...I discovered this evening that I'll need to do something about that. The Bondo and dash separated where it joined.

 

[colintrax]

I think your best bet is going to be a new dash. What about a plastic welder? Thermo plastic is sorta flexable

 

[Sig-Sauer]

They have some stuff at the autobody parts store. Its similar to Bondo but is for rubber bumpers and facias. It is flexible and bonds to plastic and rubber.

 

[wood1]

Sig, love your user name... I have a P226.

I have a buddy that has had a great deal of success repairing dashes. Works at his dad's body shop. He has textured er, "tools" lets say to use to repair the texture where he uses filler. Pieces of textured vinyl, he has other flexible bits and bobs that he uses to replace the surface on dashes after he repairs damage.

Something to think about. That's all.

If you want to rock the CF do it. Not my cup of tea but it's not my truck. If you like it do it up foo...

Did I mention that I make home made wine?