Remove vynil and foam from dashboard...and then?

[Siberian Husky]

So i bought a 240 with a dash that went to hell. Had some footlong cracks in it. Spent the last week patching this shit wth bondo and super glue. Im pretty pissed cause I spent the past 5 hours fo my life sanding this to perfection when I go to move the dash to prep for a wash and and sealant when 3 more footlong cracks appear!

Now its time for experimentation. I want to try and remove the vynil and padding from the dash and do something with it. Maybe flock it? I dont know. Any Ideas would be appreciated.

I'd prefer not to have responses like "buy a used mint dash for cheap" or "check your junkyard for a dash." I already know these are options but I want to try and experiment with this and maybe learn something. I'll strip this thing and post pics, hopefully it doesnt look too awkward that I cant do anything with it.

[icedsole]

re-wrap in nice leather with some contrast stitching.

[240Shwag]

I don't know bondo would have fixed the vinyl.

Remove current wrapping.
Fix any damaged fibergass.
Smooth.
Re-Wrap.

[S14DB]

Originally Posted by 240Shwag

I don't know bondo would have fixed the vinyl.

Remove current wrapping.
Fix any damaged fibergass.
Smooth.
Re-Wrap.

Unless its a nick or blemish. Vinyl cracks never stay repaired. Once the plasticizers leach out it's done for.

Take the vinyl off and check for cracks in the plastic frame. You can repair if negligible. Some are just shattered underneath and held together by the vinyl an not worth reparing.

Then re-wrap with a more durable material. Leather, Suede or Alcantara come to mind. Ether get it backed or line it with thin foam.

[Siberian Husky]

Sweet thanks. Yeah him removing the vynil right now and even the foam underneath looks like ass, so i'd want to replace that. I'm glad this happened though because now I can refinish this and not worry about it cracking once installed again. My plan was to just seal it and flock it. I've already flocked some other pieces like the center console. If i end up rewrapping it'll be a durable suade to match the flocked pieces. I'll update with some pics this should be interesting. Havnt found anything like this documented on the forum yet.

[heavenboundkevin]

theres a thread on flocking, let me find it.

here you go http://zilvia.net/f/chat/277697-floc...iy-thread.html

EDIT: oh ok gjdm on searching. yeah i havent seen anything on replacing it, try like a hot rod forum or something.

[Siberian Husky]

yeah i saw that DIY flocking thread, its what I used to flock my other parts. but i couldnt find anything on replacing dash vinyl and foam.

[Siberian Husky]

so this is what I have to work with now.

Is there a way I can patch this thing up? is the foam salvagable? the vinyl took so much of it with it while i was peeling it off. If not, im going to strip this to the bare frame and see what I can do with it then.

[lazysk8er2]

this stuff called "the great stuff" its a foam material used for windows n stuff.

you can put it on the shave it down.

[5pecialist]

Wrap it with fiberglass.

[Siberian Husky]

Originally Posted by lazysk8er2

this stuff called "the great stuff" its a foam material used for windows n stuff.

you can put it on the shave it down.

i bought the great stuff. do i just apply it on where its needed and then mold it after it dries? will it stick okay? do i need to wash to prep for better stick? what tool do i use to mold?

[lazysk8er2]

yea just be careful it expands as it dries and is a pita to get out of your hands. be creative and have fun. use sand paper and razor blades. hey maybe you can mold some gauge pods before you wrap it.

practice on something else first and find out exactly how it comes out and dries some bottles come a little different. since it expands your gonna need a little at a time and something on top to stop it from expanding.

[Siberian Husky]

i got that shit all over my hands lol.

anyways, TIME TO CARVE!

[SnakeKack]

I'm real curious as to what will come of this. Good luck and I hope it turns out well.

[Chrischeezer]

omg
what a frickin mess.. that stuff never comes off hands

their going to be black for a few days.

[Siberian Husky]

i have no idea how im going to shape this correctly. i think the foam was too fucked up to begin with =(

[R@ddy]

how did you cut it down?

[Siberian Husky]

i used a kitchen knife for the bulky shit then used an art knife which is bendable and very sharp/fine to contour it, but this shit is just too gone to hell. im very much considering just removing ALL padding and taking it down to the plastic frame, flocking it, and calling it a day.

[R@ddy]

but then it wont be flush with your door panels. maybe using some padding used in headliners then wrap that shit...no?

[Siberian Husky]

good thinking, i'm currently stripping this thing. i dont know why, call me stubborn, but i dont want to give up on this dashboard. once i strip i'll try some diff materials and see what the gaps look like. i'll keep you guys updated. if nothing is learned from this then atleast i can provide you all with some entertainment.

[R@ddy]

haha dont give up, find a solution for these shitty dashboards. im on my 3rd

[Sam_Well.13]

sanding it down maybe. that looks like its alot of work now...

[5pecialist]

F i b e r g l a s s

[Siberian Husky]

Originally Posted by 5pecialist

F i b e r g l a s s

please specify. what kind of fiberglass and how should i apply it? i currently have this thing to the bare frame.

[lazysk8er2]

lmfao i told you to use a little cuz it expands.

yea like they said if you strip it all the way down there will be a gap by the doors and also when you put the plastic panels back in.

if you did happen to take all the padding off best bet is to go to a fabric store and ask them what you can apply as new padding and measure thicknesses and compensate for all the layers your gonna add. like foam and top layer

[Siberian Husky]

i did only use what i thought was a bit LOL. this shit expands so f*cking much. small dots became big fucking balls within the hour it set.

[5pecialist]

Originally Posted by Siberian Husky

please specify. what kind of fiberglass and how should i apply it? i currently have this thing to the bare frame.

Nevermind.

What does it look like with all the foam off???

[R@ddy]

dont fiberglass it, it looks like shit(too shiny). just use some type of padding and wrap it in that plastic/fake leather. im sure it'll look nice. i want to do it myself

[conrad_s13.5]

Originally Posted by icedsole

re-wrap in nice leather with some contrast stitching.

if ur gonna go all out id try this route

[Sterlz]

this might be a little late since you've already begun to work but just to add to the available options besides flocking, upholstering or buying an uncracked dash, there are also dashmats that can cover most of the dash. although some might say you must have an acquired taste for a dash mat lol