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Marlonius
Samba Member
Joined: October 06, 2004
Posts: 398
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
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 Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 7:21 pm Post subject: Recovering the Dash Pad |
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Just another thread of my experiences and learnings...I invite others to add and comment.
After I bought and summarily rejected a crappy EMPI dash pad for my '66 Ghia, I got looking at the old one and had a few ideas.
When I started, the vinyl was all cracked, and the sub structure was even crumbling in the area of the speaker.
I cleaned off all of the vinyl, as well as the thin sponge layer beneath.
Then I did a fibreglass repair on the speaker area - I used mat and liquid resin fiberglass.
To recreate the speaker holes, I held it up to a light, then marked each hole with a Sharpie. I then took it to the drill press and drilled out all the holes.
I used a product called "4 way stretch vinyl" to recover it. I picked it up at an automotive upholstery shop. It is stretchy, and I contact cemented in on in sections, working on about 6 inches at a time. This way I was able to tension each part and get it good and tight and smooth.
It took about 10 sessions over the course of an afternoon. Going slowly and planning which direction to pull, I was able to get it tight, even in the A pillar area.
Once that was done, I opened the vents and wrapped the vinyl around them to the inside.
I chickened out on punching out the speaker holes...My leather punches are tapered, and I was scared of doing damage to the fiberglass. If I had straight cylindrical ones, I might have tried.
As it turns out, I can hear the original a.m. radio just fine. Of course, it fit perfectly.
What I learned: take your time, obviously. Also, the vinyl will show every defect from below - I would have taken the time to better hide everything with more judicious use of fiberglass. For example, the points that the studs for bolting the pad down are detectable.
Also, if your car has been repainted, take a moment and restore the black to the windshield edge and inside the defrost vents. Otherwise, the colour will show up against the window and inside the slots. I'm making this change on my '69, currently in progress.
Cheers all,
M. |
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mkaybrown
Samba Member
Joined: June 05, 2009
Posts: 9
Location: salt lake city, utah
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| Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 8:02 pm Post subject: |
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| What a great posting! I've been thinking of the pros and cons of doing something similar but have been worried about the need to have the surfaces very smooth. I have studs to fiberglass in and have absolutely no experience with fiberglasss. Your post gives me encoragement. |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32989
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Ian Godfrey
Samba Member
Joined: September 25, 2006
Posts: 1207
Location: Melbourne Australia
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| Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2010 4:17 pm Post subject: |
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I did a similar job on a late dash '69. I put a layer of 1/8" foam on first, glued to the top. DO NOT ROLL IT OVER THE EDGE, cut it flush with all edges and vent cut outs. Then I put the vinyl over the top. Use good contact adhesive in a can or a tube, not the spray stuff (it is not strong enough) In the tricky spots, super glue gel is also very useful.
If you roll the foam over the edge, the dash becomes to thick and the vinyl doesn't stick properly..... then you have to do it all again. But I learnt! I have done a rear parcel shelf the same way.
Ian G |
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exciter
Samba Member
Joined: March 27, 2008
Posts: 644
Location: NW OHIO
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| Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2010 7:38 pm Post subject: |
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| Very nice and useful post thank you. And the dash of your 66 looks awesome! |
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Marlonius
Samba Member
Joined: October 06, 2004
Posts: 398
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
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| Posted: Wed Nov 10, 2010 2:41 pm Post subject: |
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Good point from Ian, thanks for adding to the thread. If I had to do it again, I'd use some foam too. Perhaps you could mention where you got the 1/8" material.
Glad you like the dash exciter - the '66 is probably my favourite of all years of Ghia. |
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Jeromerino
Samba Member
Joined: February 28, 2013
Posts: 209
Location: Colorado
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| Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2013 11:36 am Post subject: |
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| Ian Godfrey wrote: |
I did a similar job on a late dash '69. I put a layer of 1/8" foam on first, glued to the top. DO NOT ROLL IT OVER THE EDGE, cut it flush with all edges and vent cut outs. Then I put the vinyl over the top. Use good contact adhesive in a can or a tube, not the spray stuff (it is not strong enough) In the tricky spots, super glue gel is also very useful.
If you roll the foam over the edge, the dash becomes to thick and the vinyl doesn't stick properly..... then you have to do it all again. But I learnt! I have done a rear parcel shelf the same way.
Ian G |
Outstanding original post and follow-up. I'll be taking this on for the dash pad and rear parcel shelf as soon as the vinyl and neoprene padding arrive, which I wish there was a local source for so I could get at it today.
_________________
1964 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1971 Beetle Sedan |
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rcooled
Samba Member
Joined: September 20, 2008
Posts: 2778
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
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| Posted: Tue Apr 23, 2013 1:49 pm Post subject: |
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I re-did the dash top in my '67 in much the same way. The speaker perforations in mine were mangled beyond repair, so I decided to use a speaker grill like the ones found in earlier cars. I fiberglassed the area over, and after making a sheetmetal template of the right shape & size, opened the hole with a fluted cutter on a Dremel. The speaker grill is a bit smaller than the pattern of holes, so I made sure that I filled all the holes around the edge of the pattern completely with resin. I also added the older-style vent trims to clean up the edges of the defroster openings. I found that sanding down the fiberglass before applying the vinyl helped keep it looking smooth (I didn't use the 1/8" foam).
Those are good tips about using the foam, opening up the holes for the studs and applying the flat black paint around the vents and below the windshield.
Good job!
_________________
'63 Ragtop (current)
'65 Ghia coupe (totaled)
'67 Ghia convertible (current)
'69.5 Ghia convertible and
'62, '63, '65, '69 Bugs (all long gone) |
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CiderGuy
Samba Member
Joined: December 23, 2013
Posts: 1351
Location: Bucks County, Pa
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| Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2014 12:27 pm Post subject: |
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| The padded dash on my 70 Ghia is in terrible shape. I got sticker price shock when I looked at a replacement padded dash. I think I will give this a try and do it myself. Great thread, thanks. |
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Rogb
Samba Member
Joined: October 24, 2013
Posts: 47
Location: Louisville, KY
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| Posted: Sat Jan 11, 2014 8:19 pm Post subject: |
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Ciderguy
You might also want to take a look at Greg Porters' youtube video on this
Link
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CiderGuy
Samba Member
Joined: December 23, 2013
Posts: 1351
Location: Bucks County, Pa
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| Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 2:19 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the link. It is the middle of the night and I've watched most of his videos.
Not so sure about using a foam product that a thumb or strong finger pressure, could leave a permanent mark in. I think it may be better to use the foam to get the final shape of the dash, and then cover everything with epoxy resin or fiberglass before covering it with vinyl. Any thoughts on that idea? Thanks. |
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bvanaken
Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2015
Posts: 12
Location: Bainbridge Island, WA
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| Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2015 2:10 pm Post subject: Great instructions |
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I had been looking for a replacement dash for my 1967 coupe but couldn't find one. Then I came across your post and decided to give repairing mine a try. The speaker had rotted out and the two post that bolt in had come out so I had a lot of fiberglass work to do. I hadn't ever worked with fiberglass so I was a little hesitant.
I have patched the speaker opening and the fiberglass is hardening. I will post pictures after I am done.
Thanks again for the inspiration. |
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bvanaken
Samba Member
Joined: August 29, 2015
Posts: 12
Location: Bainbridge Island, WA
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| Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 5:59 pm Post subject: Re: Recovering the Dash Pad |
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I replaced my dash a year ago and followed the steps listed in this forum. Over a hot summer the glue gave way and the the vinyl is starting to retract. I need to find a staple that is very short and re-glue and staple the edges. Does anyone have any suggestions on a stapling option and a glue that holds up in extreme heat?
Thanks,
Brad |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32989
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Marlonius
Samba Member
Joined: October 06, 2004
Posts: 398
Location: Edmonton, Alberta
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| Posted: Sat Mar 24, 2018 10:25 am Post subject: Re: Recovering the Dash Pad |
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Thanks djkeev for contacting me. I was actually able to find my original photos pretty fast. Attempting to recreate my post from 8 years ago here:
First was removal of original cover and (disintegrated) sponge underneath. There was rot in the speaker area that I patched with fiberglass
The speaker holes were marked by holding the piece up to a light. I then drilled out each spot with a regular drill.
Underside view after fiberglass work.
3-way stretch vinyl applied in sections with contact cement. I, too later had this fail and will eventually redo with something stronger. But the technique is valid.
Relief cuts made prior to wrapping it around the backside.
Top completed.
Detail of A-pillar corner. It tool lots of little overlaps and careful sequencing to avoid a wrinkle.
Vents opened.
Installed. I chickened out on punching speaker holes and have no regrets. The a.m. sound comes through fine.
Cheers,
M. |
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