Has anyone used those vinyl dash skins that several catalogs sell? I envision something that wraps around the dash pad and is glued to the surface? Any info would be helpful.

I have a couple of small cracks in the passenger side dash pad and am looking into this as a possibility.

 

The skins cost $80 each.

If the plastic under the vinyl is cracked or the foam under the vinyl is deformed you will not get a good result.

Wilcox sells new Corvette America pads for @ $245 each - probably a better way to go.

If a crack in the vinyl bothers you, you will probably not be saisfied with anything less than a new pad.

 

Are these repairable? The plastic is not cracked and it appears to be just in the vinyl. I would think that I would have to buy TWO new ones or could I dye the drivers to match the new passengers? Interior is black.

 

If it's only the plastic cracked and not the underlying foam, they are repairable quite satisfactorily. That said, it's a lot of work; however, it's a lot of work to remove and replace the entire pad assembly as well. And, regardless of the way you choose to proceed, you'll have to remove and replace the assembly in order to do a proper job.

I bought my skins from Al Knoch many years ago, believe I was one of the first to buy the skins only, as I remember at the show where I bought them that they told me they don't normally sell just the skins. (They were and still are, I guess, in the installation business as well).

If only the plastic covering is cracked, you'll have to remove the covering from the underlying foam, using care not to remove any of the foam along with the plastic, as it it bonded to the foam. Patience and a sharp knife as I recall is required.

Some of the best advice I got came from Al's crew when I asked the best way in proceeding to glue the new skins to the old foam. They told me not to glue it (as was apparently originally done), they never did, and that the new skin would conform and fit the old foam tightly. I was skeptical, but that's the way I proceeded, and mine have fit like a glove for 25+ years or so. Only glued, possibly stapled, at the rear, I don't remember exactly now. This was before digital cameras, at least the less expensive models everybody own now!!

Best of luck however you choose to go, a lot of work but well rewarding!!

Ron

 

Check in your area for a company called Doctor Vinyl.. they fix stuff like this. I bought new dash pads for my car, which is the coward's way out

 

TX63CONV,

Here's a post I did on replacing my dash skins.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ght=DASH+SKINS

Like others have said here, it is a lot of dismantling of the dash. WhileImastits do take over. I strongly encourage you to go this route and contrary to what has been said here on the underlayment being cracked (mine was), the product to use to fill in those cracks and smooth them over is that spray insulating foam you can purchase at Lowes or Home Depot.

Go for it. Believe you me, it ain't that intimidating. Does help to have a second set of hands when you actually have the reskinning going on. Have your wife's hair dryer handy to help stretch the new material on.

Good luck!

Regards,

Jim

 

I bought a car that came with the dash skins as extras and I followed the advice on the forum including using the spray foam to fill in the cracks, etc. The end product - looks 100% better but still not as good as the replacement humps. Also since you have to take out the dash cluster and drop the steering column it is a good time to perform a number of routine items such as replacing the steering column bearings upper and lower, dash lights, etc. etc. - The hardest part is getting all of the dash lights plugged back in while laying on your back.

Best of luck

 

I went the complete hump replacement route. I can't imagine why anyone wouldn't. To put the skin on you have to pull the hump off anyway. The foam underneath has been baking and cracking for 40 years, and the replacements were spot on exact reproductions, at least in my case. I would doubt that anyone could tell the difference between the replacements and the originals on my car besides the cracks on the original.

 

I may not have completely understood your problem, but I think you say that the surface of your dash is not cracked or deformed.

Why not contact a professional who reconditions car interiors. I used one, and he freshened my interior to look like new. They are used all the time by car dealers to correct defects on used cars to improve there appearance. Even if it is cracked, they can recondition, and or repair leather, vinyl, velour, carpet and plastic.
Cost was about $100. bucks.
Maybe someone else will have used one.
Dennis