Dash pad repair.

13B-RX3 · 02-29-2008, 06:59 PM

I wrote this quick how to a while back and posted it on a slightly less evil forum

. I figured it could help here also. It has been a while and it still looks great too!!!

Thanks Andres. First thing you have to do is get all the old vinal off. I used a puddy knife and it came right off. Then i removed the deteriorated areas of the foam with a 80 grit grinding disc kinda cutting a "V" notch where the cracks were. It is easy to tell when your down to the good foam because as it deteriorates it kinda turns yellow, grind all that off. Then get some spray foam from the hardware store, i used the "Great Stuff" low expansion foam. Fill in the cracks with it making sure you have any areas taped off that you don't want the foam getting into. Let the foam cure fully and don't touch it after you spray it on. When it is cured take a razor and cut off the excess. Then take a long board with some 80 grit sand paper and sand it all smooth. Then all you need to do is get some contact cement (i used a 3M weatherstrip adhesive) and some vinal. Get the vinal good and hot before trying to stretch it over the dash. At this point it would be good to have an extra pair of hands. Apply cement to both the dash and the vinal and start attaching it in the center of the dash. Make sure as you stick it on that you strech it if not it will wrinkle over time. Just take your time and whatever you do don't let the vinal touch the dash unless it is where you want it. If you try and pull it off it will pull the foam with it and then you will have a lumpy dashpad when you restick it. The only other advise i have is to try stretching some vinal over something else before you tackle the dash and wear gloves when messing with the spray foam, that shit doesn't come off!!!

Good luck
Allen

One more thing, after you get the notches ground out lightly sand the entire dash by hand with some 80 grit sandpaper to remove any loose foam and smooth the pad out.

jgrewe · 04-06-2008, 08:45 PM

The best vinyl material for this is for motorcycle seats. It stretches well in any axis.

02-29-2008, 06:59 PM	#1
13B-RX3 The Newbie Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 16 Rep Power: 0	Dash pad repair. I wrote this quick how to a while back and posted it on a slightly less evil forum . I figured it could help here also. It has been a while and it still looks great too!!! Thanks Andres. First thing you have to do is get all the old vinal off. I used a puddy knife and it came right off. Then i removed the deteriorated areas of the foam with a 80 grit grinding disc kinda cutting a "V" notch where the cracks were. It is easy to tell when your down to the good foam because as it deteriorates it kinda turns yellow, grind all that off. Then get some spray foam from the hardware store, i used the "Great Stuff" low expansion foam. Fill in the cracks with it making sure you have any areas taped off that you don't want the foam getting into. Let the foam cure fully and don't touch it after you spray it on. When it is cured take a razor and cut off the excess. Then take a long board with some 80 grit sand paper and sand it all smooth. Then all you need to do is get some contact cement (i used a 3M weatherstrip adhesive) and some vinal. Get the vinal good and hot before trying to stretch it over the dash. At this point it would be good to have an extra pair of hands. Apply cement to both the dash and the vinal and start attaching it in the center of the dash. Make sure as you stick it on that you strech it if not it will wrinkle over time. Just take your time and whatever you do don't let the vinal touch the dash unless it is where you want it. If you try and pull it off it will pull the foam with it and then you will have a lumpy dashpad when you restick it. The only other advise i have is to try stretching some vinal over something else before you tackle the dash and wear gloves when messing with the spray foam, that shit doesn't come off!!! Good luck Allen One more thing, after you get the notches ground out lightly sand the entire dash by hand with some 80 grit sandpaper to remove any loose foam and smooth the pad out. __________________ PUMP GAS 10:90 @ 121 MPH http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RIA-bSngxOY C16 9.58 @ 138 MPH http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5D-XkVdDFI Last edited by 13B-RX3; 02-29-2008 at 07:02 PM.

04-06-2008, 08:45 PM	#2
jgrewe Rotary Fan in Training Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: On the Beach Posts: 59 Rep Power: 18	The best vinyl material for this is for motorcycle seats. It stretches well in any axis. __________________ New rat from the sinking ship.