Replacement dash pad?

mxw1 · Post by **mxw1** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 12:22 pm

I've seen replacement dash pads advertised for about $65 for my 1975 Fiat 124 spider. The one I'm looking at is listed @ http://www.1aauto.com.

Has anyone ever bought/ installed one of these? Is it worth getting? My current dash has had all kinds of cracks in it for the past 20 years.

Thanks,

Mike

larsen · Post by **larsen** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 2:35 pm

mike,
i have a tan dash cover that goes over the top of the dash that i dont need if your intrested. i can post some pictures of what it looks like soon too.

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 3:34 pm

I'm not familiar with that brand, but Coverlay made dash caps for many years. Taking time with the installation is the key to a successful install. If your dash is cracked and warped, you're going to have to make it smooth. Sanding, filling, etc must be done, or the cap won't fit. Most people that have installed them feel that removing the dash is almost mandatory to get the cap fitted properly.

TVST*R · Post by **TVST*R** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 3:35 pm

Dash pads are an aberration! I hate how they look just as I hate
the fuzzy carpets people stuff on the dashes...AAArrrggghhh!

Don't become another disrespecting PO!

Ok...I feel better.
(not directed at anyone)
T

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 4:38 pm

easy there! slow down on the caffeine and everything will be okay, lol

TVST*R · Post by **TVST*R** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 5:15 pm

Did that make you laugh

Mark?

Actually the part of the "...disrespecting PO..." is pretty funny.

racydave · Post by **racydave** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 6:31 pm

So what is the alternative? Like the new look T, pretty color!

TVST*R · Post by **TVST*R** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 6:57 pm

My dash is only cracked a bit which I repaired with black epoxy.
I always thought you could just replace the dash cap??? You know,
do it right...at what expense I don't know. Find a donor I guess.

T

mdrburchette · Post by **mdrburchette** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 8:02 pm

Here's one alternative to installing a dash cap. Since the usual vendors no longer stock restored dashes, this is the way I'd go. It's pricey compared to a cap, but it will look great for many years:

http://www.justdashes.com/Index.htm

TVST*R · Post by **TVST*R** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 8:23 pm

Nice!..I gotta call them for prices.
Thanks for the link!
T

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Wed Sep 20, 2006 8:39 pm

just dashes is almost in your backyard! It's about $550 and 3 weeks to get a Spider dash done. They're also doing consoles and door panels these days

spidernut · Post by **spidernut** » Thu Sep 21, 2006 7:22 am

I hear Bondo fixes everything, or was that duct tape?

Mark_vaughn · Post by **Mark_vaughn** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 9:52 pm

I have read some other restoration sites talking about using contact cement and vinyl from the fabric store to recover the dash, etc... I am thinking of trying it and wanted to know if anyone has any experience to share?

Spyderbuddy · Post by **Spyderbuddy** » Sun Mar 04, 2007 10:32 pm

i was thinking of just doing the dash like the kids are building the speaker boxes with the carpet and glass resin any body tried this

Mark_vaughn · Post by **Mark_vaughn** » Mon Mar 05, 2007 12:09 am

The dash is already a fiberglass type material so it wouldn't be too hard to make it work. I am going to use some fiberglass to fix a few spots on mine that have suffered over the years.
I am wondering if it will be too hard to smooth out some vinyl to recover the whole thing.