Dash Caps
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 273
Likes: 0
Dash Caps
Anyone installed one of these?...how well do they work/cover?
I have a dash thats not too bad in my 82, but it has couple cracks and couple rough edges ide like to cover and dont want to spend 400+ on a new crappy made dash. Whats the verdict on these?
Heres an example http://www.partstrain.com/store/deta...c400754180daca
I have a dash thats not too bad in my 82, but it has couple cracks and couple rough edges ide like to cover and dont want to spend 400+ on a new crappy made dash. Whats the verdict on these?
Heres an example http://www.partstrain.com/store/deta...c400754180daca
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
Your other option is to simply repair what you now have. You can trim loose vinyl covering away, clean surfaces well with mild solvent or detergent/water. Let dry (especially if you used water). Mask around the damaged areas with blue painter's tape...leave about 1/8" of [good] vinyl surface still showing. Use some polyester body filler (Bondo works well) to fill the cracked area and use a plastic scraper to wipe off any excess. Scrape excess off gently so as not to leave a low spot in the cracked area. After drying (2-4 hours), add another thin layer if there is any significant shrinkage. Otherwise, remove tape and use 200 grit sandpaper to lightly smooth the repaired area on the surface. You can use an ice pick or other sharp tool to scribe-in some "grain" on the filler so the surface looks similar. When done to your satisfaction, recolor the repaired areas [or the entire dash cap] with SEM ColorCoat vinyl dye mixed to match your GM interior color code OR mixed to match a sample of your interior that duplicates the dash cap color. The repair will hardly be noticible.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,640
Likes: 3,102
From: Shamong, NJ
I'm not familiar with the cap in your post, but I know a few people who have used the one from Corvette America.
From what I've seen, the CA one works pretty good. If you know what your looking at, you can detect that it's a cap, though. From what I recall, the most obvious spot is around the 2 square air vents, and the speaker covers. The extra thickness of the cap can be seen at the vents, when you look closely and speaker covers aren't removable, like on the factory dash.
From what I've seen, the CA one works pretty good. If you know what your looking at, you can detect that it's a cap, though. From what I recall, the most obvious spot is around the 2 square air vents, and the speaker covers. The extra thickness of the cap can be seen at the vents, when you look closely and speaker covers aren't removable, like on the factory dash.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,687
Likes: 833
From: WI
My dash cap was as brittle as pie crust. I bought a new one. It wasn't cheap but the quality looks good (but I haven't installed it yet). If you are even remotely thinking of a new one, be sure to order it when there is a sale on shipping, or 10-15% off. Makes a big difference on something that big-ticket. I guarantee you there will be a major sale on thanksgiving. Best of luck,
Mark G
Mark G
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 1,136
Likes: 8
From: Chichester, UK
My dash cap was as brittle as pie crust. I bought a new one. It wasn't cheap but the quality looks good (but I haven't installed it yet). If you are even remotely thinking of a new one, be sure to order it when there is a sale on shipping, or 10-15% off. Makes a big difference on something that big-ticket. I guarantee you there will be a major sale on thanksgiving. Best of luck,
Mark G
Mark G
Ecklers is offering 15% discount on all products valid till 18th October 2010.
