Replacement dash cover

[starvin2047]

Hi, I'm new to the forum. I've purchashed a car which will soon be shipped from the US to the UK.
I've bought this as a project, car is currently a none runner coming out of storage from the last year.
Before shipping I want to purchase a few parts that I think I will require before shipping. The dash top cover has split and see ther are two options to sort this. What are the cover skins like? has anyone used them? or would you suggest I get the original replacemnet item?
Thanks in advance

car is a 1985 auto

[FiatJim]

I had a dash cover installed during a resto job. It quickly became wavy along the edge nearest the windshield. The opening for the glove box was also problematic and I had to cut, sand the glove box door. If I were to do it again, I would get a full replacement and not a cover.

Jim

[bobplyler]

One option is a carpet cover that just covers the top, if you only have cracks around the vents.
http://www.carcoverplanet.com/1982-fiat ... LgQAvD_BwE

[FiatJim]

I added the carpet overlay after the cap to cover up the wavy dash cap. I haven't glues/velcro it down

[gchocevar]

I did the full dash cover and the console cover 8 years ago. I think the new plastics have better UV protection. However, you do need to sand the wood trim, especially the glove box as recommended.

Greg

[spidernut]

1. I installed a full dash cap on one of my cars. The fit was pretty good after some trimming around the glove box. It made for a presentable dash but was not the same vinyl texture as the original. I give it a 6 out of 10.

2. One of my cars had a 1/2 cap. It warped and cracked and looked horrible. I give it a 0 out of 10.

3. A friend bought the full fiberglass dash replacement from one of the vendors. He said it took a huge amount of work to make it fit right. It looks very good in his car. I give it a 8 out of 10.

4. I have recently opted for repairing any damage to the dash (warping or very large cracks) then laying two layers of fiberglass over the dash and sanding smooth. Once done, I found that Rustoleum truck bed liner can be sprayed lightly on the fiberglass to give it some texture. I lightly sanded off about 1/4 of the texture to make it appear more like vinyl. I then painted it. It looked great but was a lot of work. I give it a 7.5 out of 10.

5. One other option if to send it off to Justdashes.com. You'll have a 10 out of 10.

[wetminkey]

Thanks for the advice, my friend.
I was looking to purchase a OEM type dash replacement, but I'll be checking out justdashes.com first.
Todd.

[PhillySpider]

just dashes is ridiculously expensive. look up "flocking" on youtube. I'll be pulling my dash, grinding and filling the cracks and going either with a slightly textured flock of vinyl spray paint...Good luck!

[baltobernie]

I've had good luck with my cap after seven years:



The cap to get is produced by a company in Nevada. Mine was purchased from IAP; ask the current vendors to name their source. Caps do require trimming, and the OE dash must be structurally sound and free of Armor-All or other coatings that prohibit adhesion. Repair your split dash, use paint prep to clean several times, then scuff with 80-grit paper before applying adhesive.

Maintain with the stuff they sell to treat black bumpers and weatherstripping, not silicone.

[gbraun]

In my case I just glue skai on it and the result is very good.

Some pictures on the french fiat 124 forum :

http://club.caradisiac.com/braung/resto ... to_6830988
http://club.caradisiac.com/braung/resto ... to_6830990
http://club.caradisiac.com/braung/resto ... to_6830989



Regards

[NorthernOtter]

In my case I just glue skai on it and the result is very good.

Some pictures on the french fiat 124 forum :

http://club.caradisiac.com/braung/resto ... to_6830988
http://club.caradisiac.com/braung/resto ... to_6830990
http://club.caradisiac.com/braung/resto ... to_6830989



Regards

Is skai another word for vinyl? From your pictures it looks like you filled the cracks and applied a new black vinyl by hand - is this something a novice could do, or is it a particularly tough job?

My dash is overall in good shape but has the standard vent cracks. I've been thinking about just trying to recover it in vinyl myself.

[focodave]

Here's mine, which I got from Auto Ricambi.
It's a hard textured-finish plastic, complete, new dash, for about $420.
It took quite a bit of trimming with a Dremel tool, etc -- but the results are that it looks just about perfect, in my opinion.
A great project that can be done in one day...

[RRoller123]

Looks great! What is the gauge down by the ignition switch?

[focodave]

Looks great! What is the gauge down by the ignition switch?

That's my voltmeter.

[Warren]

Hello:
I also have the hard black plastic one bought many years ago from IAP and it does look good except after a few years it developed a small sag. I had to go back and trim the glove box door to get it to close. Sag does not appear to have gotten any worse since then.