Somewhat Okay Refresh Of A One Year Only Dash Pad

Instead of shelling out $500 for a replacement, I try my hand at recovering the one year only dash pad from my 1967 dodge Dart. With some spray foam, marine vinyl, and contact cement, I work my way through a couple different methods until something sticks. Join me through the ups and down of my first attempt at recovering this cracked and brittle dash pad.

[@rong4189]

Attempting this? You’re a braver man than me. Poke the bubble with a pin to get the air out, like with decals.

[@MontsweagGarage]

Good morning Ron! Welcome to the channel and thanks for the comment. This was my first try at this and it came out so-so. I already have a plan for the next time. I am the kind of guy who likes to learn new things and I learn best by doing. I tried the pin thing before I worked the bubble out the side. The hole just closed back up and the air remained trapped. The vinyl was pretty soft from sitting in the sun.

[@chumleye1112]

When I first saw you doing that with bare hands I thought ooooh, that stuff is nasty sticky. I have only had a little experience with that stuff many years ago and I also can remember it being frustrating. I almost think you need to have material that can be stretched somewhat to try to conform it to all the crazy bends around the sides, but In the end it is a learning experience. It could be an expensive learning experience depending how many trips you make back to the fabric store. Oh well it looks much better than what was on there before.

[@MontsweagGarage]

Thanks for the insight Chumley. Oddly, it wasn't as sticky as I though it would be. It may be due to the stuff I got being non-flammable, or low odor. Not really sure. It took like 6 coats to get tacky enough to bond and there were a few spots that still didn't bond well. I am probably going to rework it and sew the corners if I can't find vinyl stretchy enough to get the job done in one piece.

[@appleapple3855]

Good job. Maybe try 4 way stretch vinyl?

[@MontsweagGarage]

Hello Apple, and welcome back! I have never heard of 4 way stretch vinyl. I selected marine grade vinyl due to it's durability and UV resistance. I will definitely look into the 4 way stuff as I am not completely happy with how it came out.

[@tonytavolieri1663]

Interesting video! Iit wasnt easy but in the end it looks good!

[@MontsweagGarage]

Hey Tony, Welcome back! This process was definitely a learning experience. I did manage to take away some pretty good lessons that I intend to apply when I do it over.

[@tonytavolieri1663]

That's "hot rodding" you learn as you go!!

[@MontsweagGarage]

And loving every minute of it.....well.....almost every minute. I still think cleaning engine parts sucks. Lol.

[@idaholineman5788]

That’s awesome!! I’ve Got to do my 67 coronet dash pad.. but I think I’m going to use one of those caps

[@tonytavolieri1663]

Interesting video ! Looks good!

[@MontsweagGarage]

I thought about using a dash cap but decided against it. I like to learn new stuff and though I DEFINITELY need more practice, I think it came out pretty okay. Looks way better than it did. I think next time around I am going to sew the corner seams so it looks better and is more durable.

[@idaholineman5788]

@@MontsweagGarage I’ve thought about doing the same, but in interest of time I think a cap will be my best option.

[@MontsweagGarage]

That definitely makes sense. The dash pad itself took me several days and a couple trips to the fabric store to get done. The rest of the dash took a total of 12 days over the course of 6 weeks. I only get one or two days each weekend to do car work so I should probably try to make more efficient use of that time. =)

[@idaholineman5788]

@@MontsweagGarage the lack of time is a big one for me..4 kiddos tend to take the priority over the coronet. But I’ll get it together eventually. Really enjoying the process

[@Blu_Grit_Garage]

Nice work, I may try that on some door panels. Please let us know in the future how it holds up over time.

[@MontsweagGarage]

Welcome back Walter. I will definitely let folks know how it holds up. I still need to figure out how to approach the seams for the next time around. I may try to sew in the seams. The bad ones are pretty much hidden by the A-pillar at the moment. I know they are there though and it irks me.

[@Blu_Grit_Garage]

@@MontsweagGarage I was wondering if the seams would have been better off on the underside of the end curves?

[@MontsweagGarage]

@@Blu_Grit_Garage The way the vinyl laid out, it was either there or the inside curve where the front face turns down. I definitely didn't want them there. One of the other viewers mentioned a vinyl that is much more stretchy. That might be the way to go.

[@Blu_Grit_Garage]

​@@MontsweagGarage I wonder if instead of making a pie shaped cut out maybe cutting a slit? Then trimming when you glue it on? I figure it is near impossible to cut the vinyl perfect and then try to contact cement it on and hope it sticks in exactly the same place.

[@MontsweagGarage]

@@Blu_Grit_Garage it would definitely be worth a try. That probably would have prevented the ugly gap I have on the driver's side.

[@dale7416]

Has Marine grade anything ever been easy to work with? Rah

[@MontsweagGarage]

As you are one of the few Marines I have worked with....I'd say yes. =)

[@dale7416]

@@MontsweagGarage and proud enough for them all.