Should we keep replacing our cracked dash pads or cover them with these covers that are on the market.Are these covers any good do they last and or what ones are good and what ones are recommended to use.I don't know about you but I'm tired of paying anywhere from $100.00 to $500.00 to replace mine every year.

 

And you were giving me a hard time about bedlinering my dash, lol.

I have never used a cover for a camaro, but I have on some other cars. IMHO they suck. Look ok for a while, then they kinda warp.

 

i was thinken of getting one also, but the apholstering it in double stitched caviar black suede to match the door panels ....

 

Tht sounds cool. Would like to see a finished pic

 

What is it you're replacing every year? A dash should last a long time if it isn't kept in desert type sun all the time.

 

yes, what on earth are you doing to your dash? if you keep it moisturized, it should last for YEARS. NJ isn't THAT hard on dashes..... Is it mounted properly?

 

When I bought my car the dash didn't have a single crack, I put some ArmorAll on it and a week later it split down the middle. I bought a mint dash pad off of craigslist, but I know it's only a matter of time before it cracks too, because it's old.

The only good options IMO are to cover it with a carpeted dash cover, or buy one of the OER ones from somewhere like Classic Industries.

 

And those dash cap things are ugly as hell.

 

From my experience, the way to go is the carpet. Not just for our Camaros/ Firebirds, but for any car. These thin dash caps have one major flaw... they're thin. Due to this, they will warp rather easily. They don't seem to crack as much, but the heat loosens up the material, but only where the sun in shining the hottest in your vehicle. The natural tension in the material causes the non-heated sections to "spring" back", so that causes the spot where it warps. This is backed up by science.

 

Their not lasting.

 

I don't use amoral, I only use Pledge.

 

My '91 driver dash doesn't have any cracks and I've just pulled one from an '86 TA also with not a crack in sight. And I'm in CA which is pretty sunny most of the time. The TA one is for sale BTW.

 

Your right on the age they are old,this one only lasted a year,that's what I'm saying all the used replacements are 20 something years old.
I seen how fragile these are,I moved mine to install speakers,moved to the left to the right pushed it back and BAM it's got a crack in it

 

To fragile for shipping,I wont buy one, if I can't pick it up.Thanks anyway.

 

You would think that by now their would be a decent one available.

 

ArmorAll is the worst thing to put on any vinyl or rubber.

I've got a NOS pad still in the original box. I've moved it around quite a few times and its still looks like the day it was made.

 

The only good long term option is to get a new OER one, and then keep it covered with a dash mat from day one.

http://www.classicindustries.com/fir.../12396694.html

 

I've seen the ones from classic. The grain in the vinyl isn't the same and the cut-outs for the speakers are way off.

 

Do you mean glue a dash mat to a new pad???

 

If I'm not satisfied with it at least I can return it to them(Classic),I can't return it if I buy on here,they just wont take it back.Most sales are finale.

 

No glue, but they do come with a few velcro strips to hold it still. I just bought one off eBay for $30 shipped. I have them in my newer vehicles too.

 

Here's mine, but keep in mind that it isn't really "settled" yet, it was rolled up in a box. After some time it should lay down better and cover the lip more.

 

Is that like a carpet??

 

It isn't "like" a carpet it is a carpet! And I'm sorry but it's not very attractive. Like getting a nice paint job then covering it with an ugly a$$ plastic bra. What's next? Plastic seat covers??

 

O Man,that ain't right,the guy likes it.

 

What's the alternative? Riding around with a big crack in the dash?

 

I have owned more than my fair share of Camaro's since my first new Z in may of 88.Never had a dash pad crack in any of my third gen's.But i also never put any thing on them.My 92 vert has the originall pad.I think if you use any thing oily on them it cause's them to brake down over time.Thats just my opinion.So we know how that goes.

 

I totally understand your point of view it's just the solution I can't get all the way behind. Like I said I've got a 20 and a 25 year old dash neither with cracks and I don't know for sure why some crack and some don't. I think I'd still try to find a replacement but your happiness is what counts.

 

Bottom line is.... these dash pads are old, and old plastic cracks no matter what you do to it. If your dash isn't cracked now, it likely will be within the next couple of years.

The only options are to cover it up, or buy a reproduction. Buying a used dash will get you by for a little while, but it's eventually going to crack too.

 

I've owned my 90 Camaro since day 1 of it coming off the lot. I've used a dash cover (it reduces the heat on the dash) , and kept it well treated, and then used sun shades when hot out to keep the heat from building up on the dash. It will get 110*F here with it 145*F in the car during the summers some times.

This dash still looked (literally) brand new. No cracks, discoloration, etc.

All is fine, right ? A shop had my car, and we were hitting 110*-112*F, and I talked to them ..... getting a reassurance they would put the sun shades and opening the windows some in it, etc. (4 x's) as they had it parked outside. They didn't. Now, I have a BIG crack right down the middle front to back. And, they don't want to take responsibility for it, of course. They also claim it was already there, which it wasn't. I 'treated' it again the morning it went to the shop and no cracks were in it. So, the battle is on.

Meantime, I'm trying to figure out the best way to take it to near as OEM as possible, or find a new dash pad, or a repair. 21 yrs, and these bozos mess it up.

But, don't knock the dash covers, they serve a great purpose in keeping the heat on the dash much lower vs when there's not one on there, eliminating the discoloration, and helping to save your dash.

 

NO ARMOR ALL!! Silicone products destroy vinyl and plastics. Use a high quality, non silicone interior detailer. If it says protectant, don't buy it.

On another note, if you find a good used one, saturate it with baby oil and let it soak. It will revive the material. I've heard of people using peanut oil, but I have never tried it.

 

How did you get the one from classic? You said they're too fragile to ship.

 

Heat and the sun's UV rays are what destroys them. I paid big $ for a NOS pad for my 68 Z28 15 years ago. It still looks brand new and heres how I take care of it: Now don't laugh and roll your eyes - K-Y Jelly. Yep, it works and helps retain its soft, supple feel. And because K-Y is water soluble, I just take a damp sponge and wipe it off. Then, reapply another thin coat. Its not greasy and sticky like alot of the other crap out there - plus it doesn't seem to attrack dust very much.

Heres a few photos of the 82-92 NOS pad I have if you've never seen one.

 

You can always have your original dash pad recovered by Just Dashes. They do some good work. But it is pricey around 400 to 500.

http://www.justdashes.com/

 

He didn't, I just made the suggestion. A new one shouldn't be as fragile as one thats 25 years old.

 

its not only the sun that destroys them but when everyone puts armor all and crap like that on them the sun dries them out at a much faster rate. you definitely shouldnt be buying a new one each year.
theres a few solutions
A) work your magic at fiberglass that way its easily repairable if it breaks again.
B) dont know if you use armor but stop if you do
C) get one from the junkyard(a good one) and buy one of those mats. some look good and if your that picky about what aftermarket has then make your own, you can easily remove it for shows or whatever. its just there to protect your dash from the leading cause of them cracking. the sun

 

I didn't,but if I did they would take it back if it got cracked in shipping,would you give me back my money if you sold me one that got cracked in shipping???

 

He didn't, I just made the suggestion. A new one shouldn't be as fragile as one thats 25 years old.
Correct!!

 

I'm sure these dash pads dry out from the bottom up,so there isn't much you can do.

 

Wow, you're just unlucky I guess, I have an 89 IROC with the original dash pad and it is in perfect condition.

 

if you have a nice dash pad, get a carpet to protect it. it's the best $30 you'll ever spend

 

recover your dash yourself fill in the cracks and cover it with vinyl

 

I'm glad yours is in perfect condition after 23 yrs. but how much longer is it going to last before your in this situation.

 

Well, that's my consensus,should I buy a nice new fresh one that will last say another 26 yrs,(and their not correct) or try one off those dash covers that only cover the problem.

 

i say buy a new one and put a pad on top that way you have a cover to protect your brand spanking new pad, and if you want to take it off to show of your car it still looks amazing

 

Last summer, I met a gentleman a few towns away who is the original owner of a beautiful 85 IROC survivor car. Frustrated with the aftermarket repops, he send his pad to Just Dashes. After talking a bit, we compared his 'restored' pad with an original. I'll admit, his Just Dashes pad looked great from 10' away, but up close the differances were very obvious. The grain in the vinyl wasn't even close, the speaker cut-outs were a joke. The only thing they got half-way right was the plastic side vents which were the repop ones avaibable to everybody.

He paid $750 for the 'restoration' plus $180 in round trip shipping. Needless to say, hes' not happy.

 

Sure - And thats the reason why everything shipped must be insured. Most shippers will cover the frist $100 free. After that, the insurance is pro-rated per value of the item. And all venders cover that in one way or another.

 

My dashpad is perfect on my 92 Z.If your going to need a cover
How about a fiberglass or carbonfiber pad.No its not factory but it
would hold up for a long time.Any thing other than OEM would
most likey be noticeable anyway.Just a thault.

 

Surprisingly this isn't the first time i've heard of using it. I was using a really good product from Black Magic I think it was, called Ice. Worked very well. But I am switching to baby oil soon after seeing how well it has worked for others on the interior restoration threads.

 

Wish I could find a good replacement dash pad here in VA. I have looked at all the yards in like a 50mi. radius. NOTHING! There were a total of maybe 10 Third Gen Camaros all together, and everyone of the interiors was shot. IF I find a good pad, I will be buying carpet, sun shades, etc. to insure that it lasts. I know my car is ugly at this point, but I am working toward a goal at a slow pace, I would like to insure that some of my projects last until another project is finished.