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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Interior & Equipment => Topic started by: Bitzer! on March 13, 2008, 06:13:00 pm

Title: Dash Covering
Post by: Bitzer! on March 13, 2008, 06:13:00 pm
Guys, if I took off all the foam padding and vinyl etc would the frame riddled with holes or is it mostly sheet. I'm thinking of ripping it off and painting it the same colour as the truck.

your views please!!
Title: Re: Dash Covering
Post by: VeeTwin60 on March 13, 2008, 07:52:40 pm
It has all sorts of holes varying in size.  Definitely not something you'd want to look at every day.
Title: Re: Dash Covering
Post by: 1978Bonanza on March 13, 2008, 07:55:41 pm
Could you screw down thin sheets of aluminum down to it?
Title: Re: Dash Covering
Post by: JJSZABO on March 13, 2008, 07:58:29 pm
Bitzer - take a look at Flatbroke's thread - he has a naked dash :D

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=7217.0

Title: Re: Dash Covering
Post by: Bitzer! on March 14, 2008, 05:29:48 am
nice one m8 thanks- I didn't see that thread!
Title: Re: Dash Covering
Post by: Bitzer! on March 14, 2008, 08:33:21 am
Is the padding bolted on a one unit or is it glued?

cheers
Title: Re: Dash Covering
Post by: Captkaos on March 14, 2008, 09:34:10 am
You lost me there.  The dash pad consist of a metal frame (like in FlatBrokes pic) with foam layer over the top covered in vinyl.  This piece is one unit and it unbolts from the truck...  You can see one for a 81-91 here;
(http://store.73-87chevytrucks.com/merchant2/graphics/00000001/81-91GMdash.jpg)
Title: Re: Dash Covering
Post by: Bitzer! on March 15, 2008, 06:35:39 am


Ok so if the vinyl etc is cracked and torn (and abused!) simply unbolt, recover and bolt back on?

surely it can't be that easy after all the other crap I've faced with this truck!!

cheers
Title: Re: Dash Covering
Post by: VileZambonie on March 15, 2008, 06:39:26 am
If you are just putting a cover over it, you take down any high spots and glue the cover on. Put the dash back in. The end. EZ
Title: Re: Dash Covering
Post by: Bitzer! on March 15, 2008, 06:43:38 am
Cheers Vile  :)  something I can do in a day for once! Just off to fire up the welder and finish the floor etc it seems never ending lol

thanks again

 ;)
Title: Re: Dash Covering
Post by: VileZambonie on March 15, 2008, 06:45:39 am
I hear ya on the never ending. When will I get a "weekEND" lol
Title: Re: Dash Covering
Post by: Bitzer! on March 15, 2008, 04:44:10 pm
and all the plans went out the window  :(  blocked drain / rain / visitors!
Tomorrow's another day!
Title: Re: Dash Covering
Post by: JJSZABO on March 15, 2008, 07:57:40 pm
I hear ya on the never ending. When will I get a "weekEND" lol

+2  I hear ya :D
Title: Re: Dash Covering
Post by: Blazin on March 23, 2008, 09:54:33 am
I had a 78 K20 I drove for two years with no dash pad, or radio in it. One of the best trucks I ever owned.
Title: Re: Dash Covering
Post by: bigkountry on March 27, 2008, 11:32:56 am
I am currently re-covering my dash as well when time permits.

I have cut the tears off with my dremel, stretched old t-shirts over it and secured them to the metal backing in various places to conform to the OE shape. Then on went the fiberglass resin, sand and more resin, etc.

I am leaning more towards painting it, but looks to be too much of a pain to get all even enough to paint and look good. I may end up wrapping it in a quality vinyl and be done with it.
Title: Re: Dash Covering
Post by: JJSZABO on March 27, 2008, 11:57:19 am
I tried wrapping mine in vinyl, just finished and FAILED :o

I was able to stretch all the wrinkles out around all the tight corners until the very last one when the vinyl ripped. :-[  I gave up and ordered a dash cap from Chris :D

Good luck with yours.
Title: Re: Dash Covering
Post by: Bitzer! on March 27, 2008, 12:23:00 pm
time has been against me of late- still repairing the cowl lol
Title: Re: Dash Covering
Post by: Redneckchevy on March 27, 2008, 12:23:35 pm
I have cut the tears off with my dremel, stretched old t-shirts over it and secured them to the metal backing in various places to conform to the OE shape. Then on went the fiberglass resin, sand and more resin, etc.

So ur blood sweat tears...And the shirt off you back huh lol  ;)
Title: Re: Dash Covering
Post by: frogman68 on March 27, 2008, 12:31:39 pm
I tried wrapping mine in vinyl, just finished and FAILED :o

I was able to stretch all the wrinkles out around all the tight corners until the very last one when the vinyl ripped. :-[  I gave up and ordered a dash cap from Chris :D

Good luck with yours.

How did it fit ?
Title: Re: Dash Covering
Post by: Toolmaster on March 27, 2008, 01:03:40 pm
I tried wrapping mine in vinyl, just finished and FAILED :o

I was able to stretch all the wrinkles out around all the tight corners until the very last one when the vinyl ripped. :-[  I gave up and ordered a dash cap from Chris :D

Good luck with yours.

How did it fit ?

I dont think shipping is that fast ! 
Pay more attention to the post, you only gave him 30 min for shipping and install.
Title: Re: Dash Covering
Post by: frogman68 on March 27, 2008, 01:28:05 pm
I tried wrapping mine in vinyl, just finished and FAILED :o

I was able to stretch all the wrinkles out around all the tight corners until the very last one when the vinyl ripped. :-[  I gave up and ordered a dash cap from Chris :D

Good luck with yours.

How did it fit ?

I dont think shipping is that fast ! 
Pay more attention to the post, you only gave him 30 min for shipping and install.

I would not be surprised if it was :)

I ordered something at like noon next day I was going to check for a tracking number when I got home but the stuff was there already :)

http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=6116.msg31168#msg31168
Title: Re: Dash Covering
Post by: bigkountry on March 27, 2008, 01:49:00 pm
I have cut the tears off with my dremel, stretched old t-shirts over it and secured them to the metal backing in various places to conform to the OE shape. Then on went the fiberglass resin, sand and more resin, etc.

So ur blood sweat tears...And the shirt off you back huh lol  ;)

Yep...lol
Title: Re: Dash Covering
Post by: JJSZABO on March 27, 2008, 02:55:34 pm
I tried wrapping mine in vinyl, just finished and FAILED :o

I was able to stretch all the wrinkles out around all the tight corners until the very last one when the vinyl ripped. :-[  I gave up and ordered a dash cap from Chris :D

Good luck with yours.

How did it fit ?




I dont think shipping is that fast ! 
Pay more attention to the post, you only gave him 30 min for shipping and install.

LOL - I'll let you know.
Title: Re: Dash Covering
Post by: gbskunk2006 on March 28, 2008, 10:04:42 am
Have any of you tried SEM-Weld for repairing any cracks or holes in your dash?

http://www.sem.ws/product.php?product_id=94
Title: Re: Dash Covering
Post by: Swims350 on March 28, 2008, 10:21:22 am
I used flexible repair compound meant for bumper covers on one with good results, and eastwood has a repair kit for padded dashes.
Title: Re: Dash Covering
Post by: Redneckchevy on March 28, 2008, 10:28:15 am
has any one else tried one of these??? I mean its no car show winner...But it does the job and i like it.....
(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii69/chevroletcustomdeluxe/DSC00006.jpg)
(http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii69/chevroletcustomdeluxe/DSC00005-1.jpg)
Title: Re: Dash Covering
Post by: FlatBroke on March 31, 2008, 09:00:33 am
BigKountry,
Where are you located, and do you still have that dash project you started on?
Title: Re: Dash Covering
Post by: bigkountry on April 02, 2008, 12:55:27 pm
I'm in Western KY, but the dash is going back in my 81 as soon as my work schedule will allow me. It's not much to look at right now, just covered in t-shirts and epoxy...lol