Guest

Well I'm looking into buying one of those plastic dashpads because i know if i buy one of the real pads it will crack in my weather. But anyway I want to know is is it really worth 123.99. Or does anybody have one someone tell me if they do thanks.

I really am looking for the plastic cover anything my cracks are huge!

716-467-7385 TXT only

Or also Please message me on here ASAP!

Have a great day thanks!!!

quickkris2006

iTrader: (2)

ever think about covering it in bondo, sanding and painting it? its been done before with really nice results..

Guest

I've Never Thought About That?? Have you had cracks in your dash??

Some people say take off take to body shop see what they can say or also some people say try rhino bedliner??

Guest

bump!

scottmoyer

c'mon guys. If your going to try to fix something, please try to do it right. Rhino lining on the dash is just down right wrong. What's the point in fixing things if you don't take the time and effort to do it right? I don't have a problem with the bondo thing to fix the cracks, but after the dash is smooth, look into having it recovered by an upholstery shop that can lay a proper vinyl back over the top.

quickkris2006

iTrader: (2)

I agree with the above statement.. I would never rhino line my dash.. ill save that for my undercarrage.
I have a dash pad forsale with no cracks if interested

Guest

I contacted you about it i think How much do you want for it? Also i wouldn't rhino line it hell no. I just had my car looked at by two people because lebra ruined my entire front end also it has scrathed faded keyed it it just totaled the front end pretty much.

Mathius

Great, another guy on the site, a moderator no less who wants to tell everybody what 's right and what's not right. Glad we have important people here to make these decisions for everyone.

Mathius

scottmoyer

What's your problem Mathius? Because I'm a moderator, I'm not permitted to voice my opinion like you do? Really? That's a little arrogant of you to think that I can't express my opinions also.

It is "wrong" to use rhino lining on the dash. It wasn't designed for that. If you go to their website, they give you quite a few suggestions for the use of the product, but I didn't see anything that said dashes. The "correct" fix for our dashes would be a vinyl recover or a professional interior vinyl repair. If someone wants to use rhino lining as an under coating, that's fine because their website suggests that as a proper use.

tonys91rs

iTrader: (17)

I have to agree with Scott.

hardon85

Well I have to agree with both sides here, Mathius your comment was pretty abrasive and to Scott I have never seen an upholstery shop recover them (and I'm not saying it hasn't been done, I just have never seen it). I guess from searching on this site I haven't seen anyone actually fix a dash pad completely I have seen many threads started but none finished. If rhyno lining could work and get good results that's cool with me but so far I have seen no proof that it would work, but I have heard that rhyno lining is good for interior applications since the texture matches really good. The only satisfactory result I have seen is getting the reproduction for $400 (I think it's from classic) however I do not know if it is made any different so who knows how long it would last, but for me I'm not gonna spend $400 for a new dash (maybe I would but my wife would kill me). You could buy a used one but unfortunately it will eventually crack too.

As per the original question there have been many threads on these but from what I remember reading they are really thin and if you have any cracks they will show through, also I remember reading they warp really easy, I also remember that they recommend that you still use a windshield screen (to block out the sun rays), and I have also read there are people who are very happy with them. Again this is just from memory but if you search you should find more details. And let us know what you decide to do as I am interested in this myself.

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

I'm, again, in the "fix it right or don't bother, and yes there's a right way and a wrong way to do it" camp...but you probably already knew that.

If you just want to lay something down on it like a carpeted cover or something for now, then go ahead and do that, realizing it's just a cover/pad sitting on top of it and not a fix. If you want to fix it, take it to a repair shop who specializes in that kind of stuff or search for a decent used one or a quality aftermarket repro (if such a quality one exists).

haps

iTrader: (4)

Upholstery shop is the correct way to do it. Agree w/ Scott and Puma. :wave

Guest

Well Guess what a upholstery Shop Said they wanted 200 Dollars. So i called the guy up on the plastic cover for my dash. I haggled him he wanted 125 total for it. Also this item has a lifetime warranty so im set. I bought te piece of plastic Don't be mad or anything or angry for not fixing it the right way, but.... I got it for 85$

I was so happy to get it that cheap.

Mathius

It has nothing to do with you expressing your opinions, it has to do with you advocating prejudice.

It's getting real old listening to people on this board throwing around their idea of what's right and what's wrong.

You just told him to slather up his dash pad with bondo, something that will crack if you use more than a skim coat, but you told him to use it to fix cracks. In the same message you proceeded to tell him what's right from wrong.

There is no right and wrong and I'm sick of hearing it. We should encourage people to try new things, not rejecting them out of hand because it's not the way you think is "right."

Rhino Liner probably won't fix his crack either, but can you think of a reason why it can't be used in an interior other than you don't like how it looks or you think it's "not right." Because if it will physically work as a top coat and that's what he wants, IT'S HIS CAR!

I don't think rhino liner would look good on a dash pad (maybe on a bare bones race car to cover a sheet metal dash), but that's my opinion. Where would I get off saying it's wrong just because I don't like it?

It was meant to be. I'm sick and tired of hearing it after 10 years.

Mathius

hardon85

Ok not trying to butt in on anyone's argument here but we can argue about what's the right way or the wrong way to fix these dash pads but if your way works lets see some results. As I stated in an earlier thread I have seen plenty of threads started about fixing a dash pad but none finished or at least none finished to their satisfaction as they all say they are going to recover them or something. I honestly could care less if it is someone's perceived right way or not as long as it works, basically I don't want to spend $400 on a dashpad but I want a nice looking dashpad. Again I know you are not really arguing with me but I was quoted so the only thing I ask is if you do not have confirmed results then I wouldn't say "well just do this and it should work" since you don't know yourself if it would work or not.

And I am really not trying to offend you mathius I am just saying if you think it could work why don't you try it? If your looking for a crappy dashpad to try it on you can try mine, I would love to see a reasonable solution that didn't cost $400 for something that not a lot of people believe in and there is no proof as to how long that dash holds up either.

But back to topic he was only asking for anyone with any experience with the plastic dashpad cover that slips over the original dashpad not for how to fix it.

hardon85

Ok not trying to butt in on anyone's argument here but we can argue about what's the right way or the wrong way to fix these dash pads but if your way works lets see some results. As I stated in an earlier thread I have seen plenty of threads started about fixing a dash pad but none finished or at least none finished to their satisfaction as they all say they are going to recover them or something. I honestly could care less if it is someone's perceived right way or not as long as it works, basically I don't want to spend $400 on a dashpad but I want a nice looking dashpad. Again I know you are not really arguing with me but I was quoted so the only thing I ask is if you do not have confirmed results then I wouldn't say "well just do this and it should work" since you don't know yourself if it would work or not.

And I am really not trying to offend you mathius I am just saying if you think it could work why don't you try it? If your looking for a crappy dashpad to try it on you can try mine, I would love to see a reasonable solution that didn't cost $400 for something that not a lot of people believe in and there is no proof as to how long that dash holds up either.

But back to topic he was only asking for anyone with any experience with the plastic dashpad cover that slips over the original dashpad not for how to fix it.

Guest

Lot Of judging??? Can't we all just get along even though we are talking about dashes?

Anyone come up with any ideas where you can get a nice dash cheap or any type of tricks to fix a dash.

I mean the plastic one i have isn't doing the job i'll remeber it's still there so will the other person when they see the dash. Because the speaker covers on the plastic dash are those little cracks.

haps

iTrader: (4)

If done properly, you could cover the plastic cap with black vinyl or leather and that'd look pretty good.

IROC#1

Guys! Its a forum and everyone is entitled to their opinion! Good or bad, right or wrong, agree or disagree!
Personally, Im sick of seeing people fix these cars the cheap and crappy way but I also understand that there are alot of young, broke teenagers on this site who want their car looking better than it does on a shoestring budget. I also understand that if someone buys a $1500 car that they arent going to spend $400 on a new dash!

To each his own but if its posted on a forum you are always going to get opinions on the topic!

Guest

well # IROC You knda just did judge. But anyway And I cant find a new dash ebay wants to much im working right now on a set of rims sanding iroc-z ones. And actually i paid 3000 dollars for my car it looks brand new if i had a paint job the thing would be in preistine condition. NO RUST!

It's just i cannot find the dash and this hides it the best way for now.

Derth Deboblo

Just 'glass the dash pad, paint it, and be done with it. Would look so nice afterwards.

IROC#1

Where did I say I wouldnt give my opinion? I actually said that people are entitled to agree or disagree with anything posted in a forum. If you dont want an opinion or feedback then dont post...simple as that.

Guest

lol its all good lol anyone want a 90-92 automatic shifter with overdrive aka 700r4 shifter. I only want 25 bucks it has a crack in the right top corner and thats.

Guest

SLUSHBOX lol automatic haha.

Mathius

I didn't give a way to fix the dashes, I just didn't care for what was being said in this thread. Like the other guy said, people are too judgmental and I'm getting tired of it. I should be able to log onto this message board as a hobby and just have fun and enjoy. If I want to be judged I can just step outside into everyday life, where people are constantly judging you at work, while you're shopping, etc. etc., but this is supposed to be a haven for those of us who enjoy third gens.

Getting back to your question... There isn't an easy way to fix these dash pads. They have a padded foam inside that just doesn't leave a strong foundation to put anything on. That's why bondo isn't going to last because there's no foundation. Also, Bondo expands and contracts and shouldn't be used as more than a skim coat. If you use it that way you're asking for it to crack. It's just the nature of the beast.

There might be something to those vinyl repair kits, I don't know, I have no experience with them. But they've been around forever so I have to think they can be made to work in some situations.. beyond that you have only a few options..

You can recover it with vinyl or leather, or glass it well enough that the strength comes from the glass and not what's under it (basically encase it in a shell).

A cheaper option is a dash cap, but i haven't used them so I don't know which brands are best. There used to be a web site called justdashes that specialized in restoration like this and got some good reviews in some of the rags I read, but then again it might be another one of those AIM industry sites, which means it's going to be cheap and the customer service will be poor. It doesn't take you but 5 seconds on google to see just how bad AIM's reputation is.

Honestly if it were my car, I would just rip the whole dash out and start building my own. It's not that difficult if you can work in wood or metal. Build yourself a frame whether from steel or wood, and glass it. If you aren't a fan of the smooth fiberglass finish, SEM makes a wrinkle paint that's supposed to simulate stock plastic, or you can build the dash in such a way so that the panels can be covered. It just takes some thought and preparation. Of course this method isn't going to be cheap either, but I would guess even with good supplies it will still cost you less than $400 unless you spend a lot of money getting it painted or covered after.

Another option is to take out your tape measure and write down some dimensions and then head to your local junkyard and find a dash from another vehicle that you like and will fit. You will still probably have to do some retrofitting and panel work to make the dash lines meet those of the third gen firewall and make the gauges work.

Mathius

Guest

That's What I thought to mathuis. But to some people i guess not are there just ignorant and ruin the fun of coming on thirdgen.org

jaygryph

Whatever ya do, don't cover it in fur.

Sure it looks pimp, but it plays hell with the defogger. Ask me how I know.

Guest

Jagryph laughing my FING! *** OFF!!!! XD I don't think that'd be to pimp man.

white gold 88

Got any pics?

I know a guy who covered all the plastic on a moped with pink giraffe like print. No one ever stole it. You could leave it anywhere.

rs owner

just my 2 pennies (www.camaroheaven.com) 1-800-camaro1
I think they quoted me less than $300 for mint-ish

IROCmenace

iTrader: (1)

If you want to get into the work you can actually strip the dash down to the bare metal. I did a quicky $20-30 job a year or two ago and it is holding strong. Some people like it, some don't but I like it and I can build on it and it is alot cheaper then some temporary and permanent fixes. I still think about the plastic cap sometimes. I was going to get one original but my dash was so bad I had to strip it to get it even before I could even think of putting that cap on or it would have shown through in warpage.



https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/fabr...h-project.html

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

See now that's $85 of your limited funds completely wasted. By the time you do some other cheap improper repair, you'll be out the $200 the upholstery shop wanted and you'll still have a poor fix.

It makes so little sense to fix cosmetic things cheaply when you have a cheap budget--you end up wasting more money in the end and it just keeps you in the hole. It's like people on a budget getting Maaco; throwing away up to a grand they could've put towards a real paint job, a grand that was probably hard enough to save to begin with...and it hits you twice because it's another layer of paint needing to be stripped later.

If you don't have the money to fix something cosmetic, wait until you do; you'll spend the least amount of money and have the best repair.

Mathius

That's the most ridiculous advice I've ever heard. Sometimes Maaco is all people want in a paint job. It's a car. I'm going to drive it. I'm more interested in how it handles, how fast it can go, and whether it's safe and structurally sound before I'm going to ever drop 10 grand on a paint job that's just going to get scratched unless I turn it into a weekend driver or a trailer queen.

Mathius

IROCmenace

iTrader: (1)

I agree 100%. It really depends on what YOU want to do with yourcar. Not what othe rpeople think. I don't know why people shoot other people down on their ideas. I am the same way in respect to the car. I have limited funds and I just need something that works. I didn't but my car in the shape it was in thinking I would win any shows in it. It is supposed to be "fun". If a cheap fix will work. Then do it. $200 for a dash, not for me, but if that is what they want to do then again go ahead. But don't shoot this guy down because he spent $85 on a solution that worked for him.

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

Not pissing away money on junk repairs is the most ridiculous advice you've ever heard of?

OK dude. I think you need to stop taking everything so personally any time someone just says to fix something right, and yes, there is a right way to fix something.

If you like Maaco and fiberglassed dashboards, more power to you. Fixing a dashpad by getting a new one, or letting the upholstery shop fix it right, is not "ridiculous advice".

It's actually very sound advice, and there's 100% truth to what I said about wasting more money with every cheap/shoddy repair.

It's almost like you just try to find a way to be abrasive or argumentative.

Point is, the guy spent $85 and said it sucks. Now he has to do something else for a similar price. That's pretty close to the $200 the upholstery shop wanted in the first place; what's to disagree/argue with?

Guest

Well Puma Only thing i can say is snaped right over topped appiled the adhesive its on it looks great. Also Puma you have no right to judge the **** out of someone you seem like i seen many cars get done by macco There not all the worst in the world EVERYBODY MAKES MISTAKES. Stop putting people down. Some people don't have the amount of money to save like that and want the easiest way to fix it that really isnt completely ruinning it. Also i just paid for a brand new auto shifter 75 bucks. I'm fixing the right way it's not my fault you have judging issues. You should really read before you post the next time or your probably going to get attacked by a bunch of comments above. Anybody can do what they want when they want. What did i do what i wanted to do in my budget and got it done looking very good and much better to me.

scottmoyer

Let's get back to the top when the judging started!!! Mathius, your idea at throwing good money at a crap fix is ridiculous. I guess you are one of those that have given third gen owners the reputation that we have as trailer trash. I must thank you. I will continue to put my hard earned money towards fixing something right the first time and spend a few extra dollars doing so. You can spend 50% - 75% more for you temporary fixes that will require them to be done over again for more than the "right" way the first time. Spending $800 on Maaco because you can't afford a paint job is ridiculous. For 2x that, you can get a much better job that will last considerably longer. Just save the money. But whatever, it's your money and your image, not mine. I will continue to do it "right"!

IROCmenace

iTrader: (1)

Again I think we are missing the "gray area" of what is a correct fix and a crap fix in concern to interior repair. Isn't a quality repair defined by what the person who owns the car and does the work feels comfortable with? I know as much as the next person there are standards in any hobby or profession but for most these cars are hobby and daily driver and most have to find ways to keep them running, looking acceptable and for the least amount possible. I mean it is what is but running people down as trash because they can't afford a $1600 paint job or a $200 dash is petty and not what this board is for. We are supposed to be helping each other.

My car has a single stage enamel (aka Maaco) that is about 5 years old and although it isn't the best, when it is clean it is shiny. Alot better than surface rust and mismatched panels. Plus I don't cry over an odd scratch or someone leaning against it.

I have a question for the OP xxCAM

Was your dash just cracked or had the cracked spots started lifting? Did you have to prep anything for the cap other than the adhesive?

puma1552

iTrader: (1)

You did read your post I quoted, the one where you said, "I mean the plastic one I have isn't doing the job" which to me sounds like you're talking about the plastic dash you said you had just bought...if that's not the case, don't fault me for your less-than-stellar grammar--that is what you said.

But I too will continue fixing things the right way as they pop up. Junk repair after junk repair is how the cars are let go and become beaters; there's a reason I get compliments on my ride left and right despite it having 150k miles and 18 year old paint. Take a look for yourself in Members' Camaros. the reason it looks that good is because I've fixed things right as they pop up. And no, your car won't get scratched if you keep it waxed and have a little pride.

hardon85

Ok guys this has gotten blown way out of proportion, first off the original topic was on how a plastic dash cap fits and how they work. Beyond that yes there is a right way and a wrong way to fix these cars, but my opinion is anything that can be done can be undone. First off Mathius I have read through a lot of your comments on this thread and many others and well you do have some really good IDEAS most of what I have seen you have no way to back it up (pics, personal experience, etc) so as I said in an earlier post "if you can't prove what you're saying to work don't suggest it until you know", also do you go out of your way to sound like an ***? I try to give everyone the benefit of the doubt and that's why I have read through all of your posts completely well being level headed, you have a lot of good info but you are so rude that most people don't care what you have to say.

And to Scott you have a beautiful IROC with very low miles which WILL be a collector someday and fixing your car half assed would be a travesty , but for most of us we drive higher mileage 3rd gens which aren't in the greatest shape when we get them, so well you may not agree with everything that everyone does to their cars isn't it better that they do a cheap fix then let it rot away in the back yard or turn it in for cash for clunkers (I know the program is no longer going on but we lost so many 3rd gens that way)?

All I'm saying is this if you have a way to fix something then prove it or prove that it won't work, but to sit here and argue about what is the right way or wrong way to fix something when most of us on here can't prove it one way or the other is just stupid so everybody settle down and let's try to come up with a decent solution for a dashpad fix that won't cost more than $200 and be presentable .

IROCmenace

iTrader: (1)

Well said

scottmoyer

Well said is right.

I don't have any way to "fix" the dash pad. I've not had to do it. My comment above was correctly ridiculed by Mathius when I stated to use the Bondo. I agree, it will crack and lift. I didn't think of my answer completely and was only thinking of the visible final product(vinyl, not rhino liner), not what gets you there. A filler of some type needs to be used on the crack and then a vinyl recoat is more of what I was trying to say.

Since my car is a low mile car, I do spend better money to keep it correct when things go bad, like my headliner. By doing it the way I do it, it doesn't get run down over time by all of the cheap fixes aggregating together into the car being trash. I'm sure you realize that that is how most of the trashed cars got that way to begin with.

I do know what I'm talking about though with quality repairs. My daily driver is a truck. It has 100k miles on it now. It should be a comparable comparison to what has been said here for daily drivers with 100k+ miles. Granted, it is newer, but does that really matter when we're talking about the mileage and amount of use it gets. Every issue that has come up with the truck has gotten repaired with quality parts because they last longer and I won't have to replace them again anytime soon. Case in point, brakes. My original rotors and pads lasted 70k miles, on a 4x4 truck. So when I replaced them, I decided I should go with what I know worked for 70k and bought a set of AC Delco rotors and pads. I should be good for another 70k. The spark plugs were replaced with the same as factory since they lasted 100k without issue. I even upgraded the factory shocks when it was time because the new ones are better and will last much longer than the 50k miles that the factory set were good for. I really don't like paying for repairs so the fewer times I need to do it, the better.

All I'm trying to say is that every repair done, should be one less repair that needs to be done until required again. It doesn't make sense to me to get a car presentable until it can be fixed correctly. It will never be fixed correctly. And if the attempt is made, the total cost for the repair will be 50-100% more than it needed to. In the end, the total cost of the car is more than it needs to be and because of that will be junked for something else because it "costs too much" on repairs.

Guest

Iroc menace- I wipped dw my the dash with cleaning wipes window cleaning because i had a dash mat rug cover before I actually Had THe cracks fixed 3 times with viynl it kept bending and bending and i just go done they go so bad it looks like a meteor hit my dash. They ripped threw the vinyl.

hardon85

I agree completely with everything you say here but I have a little bit of a problem with these dash pads because #1. it really is just cosmetic. #2. I have heard so many horror stories on people who buy a used perfect dash only to have it crack within a year (I imagine it has to to with colder winters), I have also heard mixed reviews about the reproduction that classic makes and I have not seen another good solution. In my area (southwest MN) finding a good replacement is next to impossible except through ebay and I have also heard many horror stories with shipping these things if they're not packed right. I haven't seen any other satisfactory fixes, does anyone have a dash pad that has been fixed by an upholstery shop? If so how long have you had it and how has it held up? And are you satisfied with the result? It's funny how far the quality of cars have come in the last 30 years I have not seen a cracked dash on anything made in the last 20 years.

One other note on fixing these I'm gonna throw my in and I will state right up front that I have absolutely no experience in fixing these things but on mine obviously the vinyl covering has failed but it also seems like the foam underneath is deteriorating since when I run my fingers across it there is little foam particles that come off. If this is the case I would think it would be very hard to get any vinyl to stick to the dash.

And Scott everybody knows about your knowledge of these cars I have learned a lot from you so I was not trying to offend you and if I did I sincerely apologize.

IROCmenace

iTrader: (1)

[QUOTE]Iroc menace- I wipped dw my the dash with cleaning wipes window cleaning because i had a dash mat rug cover before I actually Had THe cracks fixed 3 times with viynl it kept bending and bending and i just go done they go so bad it looks like a meteor hit my dash. They ripped threw the vinyl.[QUOTE]

Cool. I may be looking at one of these when I go through my interior. Gotta get the engine swapped first though! Can you pop a pic on here?

Guest

So The plastic Dash For me is a 100% fix i owned my car for five years. I've gone threw 4 DASHES like new one brand new they all crack. Really bad in ny state i have a bad luck with them i prep them for winter to. Still go to look one cold night go in the garge to see while it's being stored boom, A huge crack right down the middle. Spliting like hell is coming threw earth. So i think a 85 dollar throw over dash to make a final fix if your sick of buying dashes or wrapping them. This is the 100% way to go. No matter what your dash will crack i give you that a 99.9% gurantee unless it has been dipped in like 5 pounds of laquer or crap like that. There's no way to get around it.

usacamaro

any pics of it installed??

Guest

No Not yet I'll post up tommorow if i have time after school then work then home at 9 30. I'm not driving it now if i don't ill inform you.

Guest

I'll post what i bought the item it has a image of what it looks like i'll take a pic to show you how it came out it looks just like this though.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...=STRK:MEWNX:IT

I think it looks good i don't mine the little dots for the speakers even though i have no sound coming out of them.