S13 Suede Dash

[bova17]

I just finished my suede dash and wanted to show some of you how it looks and how I did it. Went to Jo-Ann Fabric and bought some suede-like material and 3M Supper 77, all the people in there were confused why I was there.
Things I used:

Flat head screw driver
Flat razor
Super glue
Epoxy
Sand paper
3M/Scotch Supper 77
Fabric
Vinyl paint (black) if you have poop brown interior
Rivet gun with rivets
Thin cardboard
Friends

So basically I took out the dash :smash: and thought about just covering the old vinyl but said no because it will probably crack again underneath, so I decided to pull off all the nasty old vinyl... short razor and flat head will be your best friend. I started off with one of these razors...
http://cookitallergyfree.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Retractable_Razor.jpg
Get one of these short style razors, its much easier and you won't dig into the foam.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/410Mrxufr1L._SY300_.jpg
Anyways I found out the razor is best in the worst areas, and the flat head is probably what you will use the most. Scrapping it off is a pain though:
https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t31/r270/1800029_3902915749383_1386370354_o.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t31/1522889_3902916269396_1921859428_o.jpg
https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t31/1507253_3902916989414_457346084_o.jpg
https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t31/1658438_3902916709407_124093381_o.jpg
This is when I realized that the big razor wasn't working lol just the blade...
https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t31/1801157_3902917309422_1483837828_o.jpg
You can see where the sun hits the most and in some of those parts the vinyl melted to the foam.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t31/1780235_3902917869436_249480080_o.jpg
This is when you want to sand it smooth, I filled the gaps with super glue, I don't know how great this will work but for $50 oh well. Some of the bigger gaps got epoxy but epoxy is a pain to sand so i would recommend against that unless drilled for zip ties. If the gap wasn't filled very good with the super glue we took the sanded foam and put that in the crack and re-super glued it. sanded to somewhat smooth. Remember that the thicker the fabric the less with show through, so I wasn't too worried. Also remove the Vin number plate by drilling out the rivets. DON'T LOOSE IT.
https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t31/1618124_3902918509452_454491298_o.jpg
https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t31/1795997_3902918789459_466104754_o.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t31/1614071_3902919309472_67301697_o.jpg
Now here's the deal with stretching the suede, it doesn't stretch that well. So you will HAVE to have somebody help you or it won't look very good. The key is to start from the middle out, do one side at a time and start one the passenger side to get the hang of it. Also you spray the Super 77 on both fabric and dash and wait a minute or so, or else they won't stick very well.
https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t31/1891363_3902919709482_826969826_o.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/t31/1780164_3902920029490_674698715_o.jpg
My brother started Drawing "Man Sausages"-Jeremy Clarkson. also was test fitting the vents, and painting things black.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t31/1801221_3902920229495_1942738561_o.jpg
Another folded area to keep from wrinkles.
https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/t31/1522723_3902920509502_1295893037_o.jpg
You need to now put your Vin number plate back on with rivets
https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t31/1888887_3902921349523_417861506_o.jpg
https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t31/1519027_3902921589529_442949522_o.jpg
https://scontent-b-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/t31/1618264_3902921989539_1031681848_o.jpg
Unfortunately I stepped on the defroster vent...
https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t31/1599018_3902922389549_1215516678_o.jpg
Well here I used the thin cardboard and made this to cover up where the suede would stretch.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t31/1890507_3902922709557_510755769_o.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t31/1597085_3902923109567_2008698260_o.jpg
You will have some spots with wrinkles unless you make a stitch or fake stitch. The way we did it was fairly simple, it just gets folded over and glued. *Try to make it face down, like my Dad was saying stuff will get stuck in there.
https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t31/1412413_3902923349573_277778703_o.jpg
https://scontent-a-iad.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t31/1622555_3902923749583_718705962_o.jpg
Excuse the steering wheel I got an Ebay one and it cracked... stock for now. And also has end caps on the dash to keep from wrinkles.
Notes:
The glue does come off with mineral spirits but I would still be careful with it getting on the fabric.
Removing the foam (myself) took about 7-8 hours :/
Doing all suede stretching and cutting took about 4 hours
Install took me a week...lol, I was waiting on LEDs for gauge cluster
Vents up top are brittle from sun be careful.
Smells horrible for a little bit.
Don't cut too much off

[my1s14]

Good job man, looks good!

[the_strange]

That's pretty cool. Good job.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2

[SamsonS4]

idea=A

execution= F

Any project that consistents of jo-anns fabric you know is gonna turn out terrible

[bova17]

Good job man, looks good!
That's pretty cool. Good job.

Thank you, when I get bored I have to do something.

idea=A

execution= F

Any project that consistents of jo-anns fabric you know is gonna turn out terrible

Glad to hear, because it looks so much worse...

[brndck]

i dunno what samson is on about, +rep for you for this awesome thread!

[conrad_s13.5]

Looks great man

Got more patience then me, sounds like i would have gave up an hour into removing the vinyl....lol

[the_strange]

That would surely help with the dash glare in my vert. Lol. But my dash is clean and crack free!

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk 2

[bova17]

Looks great man

Got more patience then me, sounds like i would have gave up an hour into removing the vinyl....lol


Yea once I started on the vinyl I was like oh god this is going to take forever.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[blueshark123]

It looks a lot better then a fucked dash, but i wouldn't be happy with this quality personally. I like stuff to a high standard.

[Rich260z]

Now suede your horn button to match

[mechanicalmoron]

It looks a lot better then a fucked dash, but i wouldn't be happy with this quality personally. I like stuff to a high standard.

While it may not be perfect, you make it sound like it's of generally objectionable quality.

From the last pictures, I think I've seen bigger seams and imperfections in factory interior parts.

It's neat, though I'd think a way to do a better job would be to buy a super soft, thin, cow hide, as that looks like imitation suede fabric, not actualy leather, though I could be wrong.

[bova17]

I forgot to say I didn't get to clean it off yet, I'm going to vacuum it then get any glue/overspray off of it. You can see some of the white specs are from the overspray
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/t31/1890507_3902922709557_510755769_o.jpg

[PeaceOnesxWai]

^That has to be the hardest part to get the suede settle down.. Great job!

[89bucketsx]

Bet the bitches love it!

[supersayianjim]

good work. now iam defitenly going to send out my dash and have someone else do it!!

[bova17]

Well just an update, it looks kind of like shit starting to peel up in a few places, but I just wanted to see how long it would last. Anyway I'm going to be fiberglassing it then flocking it to have a clean dash; that will probably be in the summer though. I'll post pics of what it looks like now later tonight


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Aspire818]

Cleannn
Im goin to do it on my S14

[dsastr_clan]

how much fabric did you buy?

[bova17]

I want to say 3 square yards

[rb25s13vert]

i think it looks pretty good. you will regret using that fabric probably. that's a high sun area and I bet that fabric fades. even regular suede fades bad. if your planning on doing this properly your going to want to use genuine alcanara.

[bejota180sx]

i wrapped a few interior pieces on my vert with that type of fabric, just to cover up how bad the stock ones were damaged. And before a few months it had faded so much it was just horrible.

[bova17]

Looks fine to me, looks 100x better than poop brown cracked dash.

[Kuma]

It's neat, though I'd think a way to do a better job would be to buy a super soft, thin, cow hide, as that looks like imitation suede fabric, not actualy leather, though I could be wrong.

Suede is leather... There is also pig suede which feels great, but it's not durable enough to use in a car... It's mostly for purse lining and stuff.

Well just an update, it looks kind of like shit starting to peel up in a few places, but I just wanted to see how long it would last.

Next time don't use the 77. The best adhesive I've been able to find is 3M 90.
http://catalogue.3m.eu/pcimages/404/fullsize.jpg


i think it looks pretty good. you will regret using that fabric probably. that's a high sun area and I bet that fabric fades. even regular suede fades bad. if your planning on doing this properly your going to want to use genuine alcanara.

alcantara (Ultra-suede with a fancy name) is like $90/yd here... Real suede would be cheaper. If you're looking for an affordable option that probably looks a little better than that stuff, go to a real fabric/trim supply. The local place you can order alcantara from. Get white backed suede. It's the faux suede with a white cloth backing, the backing helps to keep the glue from bleeding through, it seems to stick better to foam than non backed faux suede. It's like $20/yd locally.

https://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10487460_684110784975299_7591735406047817091_n.jpg ?oh=199a2f622d51ecc0824548b52171667b&oe=54811627
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xaf1/t1.0-9/1897756_628376307215414_1741486987_n.jpg

That stuff is cool for headliners and seats; stuff that is somewhat protected by tinted windows. But it will fade fairly quickly. If you just want to redo your dash and make it last. Do it in marine quality vinyl. So many grains to choose from. It looks like leather and is more durable than both leather and automotive grade vinyl that came on your dash. This is what I'll be doing my dash in. It had the least glare in the sun, out of the blacks.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/t1.0-9/11257_703900619662982_2723744027003562091_n.jpg

This is marine quality vinyl on top of a 2000 something Porsche 911 leather seat. I'm making a dog seat he can drop in that matches his interior and seat stitch pattern.
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t1.0-9/10511246_706634172722960_1993951781083803788_n.jpg
https://fbcdn-sphotos-a-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xfa1/v/t1.0-9/10553541_706634109389633_5173698066722207185_n.jpg ?oh=f672a49abecca394e3cdeef489d76e80&oe=5474F378&__gda__=1415951694_eb60914739486286ab1959662f2a4f7 9

If you know how much genuine Porsche leather is, you'd opt for this $25/yd marine quality vinyl.

[DanielS14]

dantack is really good to use as well or contact cement

[NismoDriverS13]

Very nice! I've been looking into doing this in my hatch...but too lazy. Maybe this weekend I'llbuy some stuff an cover my hands dirty.

Gonna buy a cracked dash and save my clean one before it starts to crack.