SoCalErv

Well my cluster renewal project has really developed project creep. I have black pads, passenger side is newer than the driver's side. Driver side is showing it's age, lost the luster and has scratches on the right vertical area.

Is there a dye to renew the finish? Or is it bite the bullet and buy new pads.

I am (8) rivets from pulling the entire dash.

Searched the forum and there have been a great deal of posts that intermingle the pads and dash.

All assistance is appreciated.

Nowhere Man

If they are still soft with no cracks or splits you have nothing to loose by trying to dye them. Corvette America sells great dye but if it’s black SEM black dye sold at most auto parts stores should work just as well. The key is great prep. And I would NEVER attempt to spray them in the car. I would remove the dash and do it.

Frankie the Fink

Once you remove the dash pad frame from the car you are about an hours worth of work from having beautiful fresh pads on the car. Corvette America sells decent ones as do other vendors. A dye job won't hide scratches nor rejuvenate deteriorated foam under the pad. You can try it but, personally, I wouldn't waste my time with dye...

SoCalErv

Been looking at a few vendors and the prices vary.

Corvette America is $569 per side
Paragon with discount is $495 per side

Are these made from the same vendor, am I comparing apples to apples?

Nowhere Man

CA And Al Knock should be the only two vendors who make them. I think Paragon sells AK

SoCalErv

Are they the same quality?

Is one better than the other?

Nowhere Man

I’m sure both fit fine. But I never replaced dash pads. I’m thinking they both re-tooled there dash pads within the last 10 years

OC-1

earlier AK pads were too thick, put them in and it pains me to look at them. the old pads are cracked vinyl warped. If you are going to pull the cluster put in a new pad. Wonder if the paragon pads are the older thicker versions?.

irwiny

If your willing to test something cheap before you buy a new black dashpad, I redyed some parts of my leather seats with a oil based dye and conditioner bring it back to shine. I would try first cleaning it with saddle soap and then polish with conditioner to see if there is an improvement. At least It will be more glossy. Tandy Leather is where I got the supplies and there are a few stores in SoCal. I used the conditioner on my brown dash on another car after removing some glue.

Let me know if you want to see some images of before - after.

Irwin

j_66chevelle

There is a company called "Just Dashes" that will restore your original pieces and do an incredible job. I had them redo my original pad on my Chevelle, show quality. They start with the original foundation, strip the foam, add and shape the new foam and cover. They won't recover with leather so I have to go in another direction.

Frankie the Fink

I put Corvette America pads in my 63...I've been told the grain isn't precisely, absolutely correct but I lost no points in Regional judging on the pads..

Its not a cheap swap...but even worse would be trying to resurrect your old pads and they don't come out well and have other problems real soon and then you are in a bit of a sticky wicket... My DS pad had a big divot out of it so I had no choice.

Joe Inama

Restored pads

Joe Inama

Lot less Money- $350 per side

SoCalErv

Think I will purchase new this time around. Big question is what mfg do I want, Corvette America or AL Knoch.

buns

Willcox is $450.00 per side, with the 20% discount.

https://willcoxcorvette.com/willcox-...eid=ee6a9aafb8


https://willcoxcorvette.com/forum-specials?cat=252

Frankie the Fink

Wow - these things have just gotten pricey...
There are dash pad 'skins' for much less but I have no experience with them...

SoCalErv

No experience with skins so I will pass a disaster.

Who makes the Wilcox Dash Pads?

Who makes the best fitting dash pad, this is worth a few bucks.

Gary D. Jaynes

Pretty sure it is Corvette America.

Frankie the Fink

My Corvette America pads fit fine....be sure to get some of the butterfly clips too...you're bound to break some or find some missing.

Easy Rhino

Frank,

The prices of the skins is not a big savings for having to deal with the problems inherent of reusing the old dash foam and the aggravation of installing the skins.

I studied the threads of people installing skins and pretty much decided not to try it, and I'm cheap.

Joe Inama's custom leather end-stitched pads at that great price are looking better all the time, if you're not trying to go OEM.