Remove vynil and foam from dashboard...and then?

[Siberian Husky]

So i bought a 240 with a dash that went to hell. Had some footlong cracks in it. Spent the last week patching this shit wth bondo and super glue. Im pretty pissed cause I spent the past 5 hours fo my life sanding this to perfection when I go to move the dash to prep for a wash and and sealant when 3 more footlong cracks appear!

Now its time for experimentation. I want to try and remove the vynil and padding from the dash and do something with it. Maybe flock it? I dont know. Any Ideas would be appreciated.

I'd prefer not to have responses like "buy a used mint dash for cheap" or "check your junkyard for a dash." I already know these are options but I want to try and experiment with this and maybe learn something. I'll strip this thing and post pics, hopefully it doesnt look too awkward that I cant do anything with it.

[icedsole]

re-wrap in nice leather with some contrast stitching.

[240Shwag]

I don't know bondo would have fixed the vinyl.

Remove current wrapping.
Fix any damaged fibergass.
Smooth.
Re-Wrap.

[S14DB]

I don't know bondo would have fixed the vinyl.

Remove current wrapping.
Fix any damaged fibergass.
Smooth.
Re-Wrap.

:stupid:

Unless its a nick or blemish. Vinyl cracks never stay repaired. Once the plasticizers leach out it's done for.

Take the vinyl off and check for cracks in the plastic frame. You can repair if negligible. Some are just shattered underneath and held together by the vinyl an not worth reparing.

Then re-wrap with a more durable material. Leather, Suede or Alcantara come to mind. Ether get it backed or line it with thin foam.

[Siberian Husky]

Sweet thanks. Yeah him removing the vynil right now and even the foam underneath looks like ass, so i'd want to replace that. I'm glad this happened though because now I can refinish this and not worry about it cracking once installed again. My plan was to just seal it and flock it. I've already flocked some other pieces like the center console. If i end up rewrapping it'll be a durable suade to match the flocked pieces. I'll update with some pics this should be interesting. Havnt found anything like this documented on the forum yet.

[heavenboundkevin]

theres a thread on flocking, let me find it.

here you go http://zilvia.net/f/chat/277697-flocked-up-diy-thread.html

EDIT: oh ok gjdm on searching. yeah i havent seen anything on replacing it, try like a hot rod forum or something.

[Siberian Husky]

yeah i saw that DIY flocking thread, its what I used to flock my other parts. but i couldnt find anything on replacing dash vinyl and foam.

[Siberian Husky]

so this is what I have to work with now.

Is there a way I can patch this thing up? is the foam salvagable? the vinyl took so much of it with it while i was peeling it off. If not, im going to strip this to the bare frame and see what I can do with it then.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs104.ash2/38515_1552955064347_1249276489_1538473_4706546_n.j pg

[lazysk8er2]

this stuff called "the great stuff" its a foam material used for windows n stuff.

you can put it on the shave it down.

[5pecialist]

Wrap it with fiberglass.

[Siberian Husky]

this stuff called "the great stuff" its a foam material used for windows n stuff.

you can put it on the shave it down.

i bought the great stuff. do i just apply it on where its needed and then mold it after it dries? will it stick okay? do i need to wash to prep for better stick? what tool do i use to mold?

[lazysk8er2]

yea just be careful it expands as it dries and is a pita to get out of your hands. be creative and have fun. use sand paper and razor blades. hey maybe you can mold some gauge pods before you wrap it.

practice on something else first and find out exactly how it comes out and dries some bottles come a little different. since it expands your gonna need a little at a time and something on top to stop it from expanding.

[Siberian Husky]

i got that shit all over my hands lol.

anyways, TIME TO CARVE!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs113.ash2/38977_1553275832366_1249276489_1539361_7993377_n.j pg

[SnakeKack]

I'm real curious as to what will come of this. Good luck and I hope it turns out well.

[Chrischeezer]

omg
what a frickin mess.. that stuff never comes off hands

their going to be black for a few days.

[Siberian Husky]

i have no idea how im going to shape this correctly. i think the foam was too fucked up to begin with =(

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs003.ash2/33537_1553319673462_1249276489_1539414_3328234_n.j pg

[[email protected]]

how did you cut it down?

[Siberian Husky]

i used a kitchen knife for the bulky shit then used an art knife which is bendable and very sharp/fine to contour it, but this shit is just too gone to hell. im very much considering just removing ALL padding and taking it down to the plastic frame, flocking it, and calling it a day.

[[email protected]]

but then it wont be flush with your door panels. maybe using some padding used in headliners then wrap that shit...no?

[Siberian Husky]

good thinking, i'm currently stripping this thing. i dont know why, call me stubborn, but i dont want to give up on this dashboard. once i strip i'll try some diff materials and see what the gaps look like. i'll keep you guys updated. if nothing is learned from this then atleast i can provide you all with some entertainment.

:tardrim:

[[email protected]]

haha dont give up, find a solution for these shitty dashboards. im on my 3rd :(

[Sam_Well.13]

sanding it down maybe. that looks like its alot of work now...

[5pecialist]

F i b e r g l a s s

[Siberian Husky]

F i b e r g l a s s


please specify. what kind of fiberglass and how should i apply it? i currently have this thing to the bare frame.

[lazysk8er2]

lmfao i told you to use a little cuz it expands.

yea like they said if you strip it all the way down there will be a gap by the doors and also when you put the plastic panels back in.

if you did happen to take all the padding off best bet is to go to a fabric store and ask them what you can apply as new padding and measure thicknesses and compensate for all the layers your gonna add. like foam and top layer

[Siberian Husky]

i did only use what i thought was a bit LOL. this shit expands so f*cking much. small dots became big fucking balls within the hour it set.

[5pecialist]

please specify. what kind of fiberglass and how should i apply it? i currently have this thing to the bare frame.
Nevermind.

What does it look like with all the foam off???

[[email protected]]

dont fiberglass it, it looks like shit(too shiny). just use some type of padding and wrap it in that plastic/fake leather. im sure it'll look nice. i want to do it myself

[conrad_s13.5]

re-wrap in nice leather with some contrast stitching.
if ur gonna go all out id try this route

[Sterlz]

this might be a little late since you've already begun to work but just to add to the available options besides flocking, upholstering or buying an uncracked dash, there are also dashmats that can cover most of the dash. although some might say you must have an acquired taste for a dash mat lol

[[email protected]]

this is exactly what i want to do. except using some padding under.
how to fix or wrap your dash pad to look brand new - LS1TECH (http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/appearance-detailing/1056498-how-fix-wrap-your-dash-pad-look-brand-new.html)

its nice, easy, and best of all, doesnt look like shit

[Siberian Husky]

i'll post pics of the dash frame once i clean up the remaining adhesive, gotta get a hold of some good thinner and just dunk this piece in it.

things are looking good from here, im entertaining many options.

[lazysk8er2]

heres some inspiration

http://zilvia.net/f/chat/273394-another-alternative-cracked-dash.html

http://zilvia.net/f/tech-talk/254699-how-flock-dashboard-give-suede-look.html

http://zilvia.net/f/chat/277697-flocked-up-diy-thread.html

[Siberian Husky]

i want to flock this thing straight up but there will be a gap between the center piece (that holds the radio, climate, and shifter) and the dash...kinda awkward.

[Siberian Husky]

center console flocked. hard to appreciate with these shitty pics, looks and feels great.
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs317.snc4/41194_1554490102722_1249276489_1542885_7040686_n.j pg


and heres that gap i was talking about in my post above.
i flocked the center piece already
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs069.ash2/36811_1554491982769_1249276489_1542886_2433628_n.j pg

[240Shwag]

Flocking is gay.

Keep sanding. Go to the fabric store and buy some new vinyl and spray adhesive.

ETA: I see your a fast flocker. Oh well.

[90white240]

^^^^hahahaha Keep up the good work, Im enjoying this thread very much.

[Nick_04K]

I think this is too late for the OP...But for everyone else interested, this is another option. It's what i planned to do before i came across such a good deal on a mint black one in my area.

89-94 NISSAN 240-SX 240SX Dash Pad Cover Top Cap NEW: eBay Motors (item 370234232413 end time Aug-17-10 15:47:05 PDT) (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/89-94-NISSAN-240-SX-240SX-Dash-Pad-Cover-Top-Cap-NEW-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ370234232413QQptZMotorsQ5f CarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories)

1. Remove dash.
2. Install said item over original dash according to supplied instructions.
3. Prep and paint original dash + new dash cap together with black Duplicolor vinyl and fabric paint (It works amazing, and nearly matches the color of original black s13 panels perfectly) so that they blend together flawlessly.
4. Reinstall your beautiful new dash.

[5pecialist]

89-94 NISSAN 240-SX 240SX Dash Pad Cover Top Cap NEW: eBay Motors (item 370234232413 end time Aug-17-10 15:47:05 PDT) (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/89-94-NISSAN-240-SX-240SX-Dash-Pad-Cover-Top-Cap-NEW-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ370234232413QQptZMotorsQ5f CarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories)
I didn't know they made these for 240's - I've seen them on old Mercedes & they look just as good as new.

If this thing is stiff, you could glue it onto your stripped dash FTW!

[Slo_240sx]

^ I plan on getting one when I get back. It wouldnt fit right on the sanded dash. These things are made to fit tight with all the material that has been taken off he'd have to rebuild it all back up. or it'd it fit sloppy and too widea round the corners.

There are alot of haters on those because on the sides it goes down to the horizontal line right in the middle not all the way down. Same on the center console area, it doesnt go all the way down it stops and is cut off. I dont care though Im still going to get one to replace my cracked ass, once perfect dash... screw you 29 Palms California.

[5pecialist]

^ I plan on getting one when I get back. It wouldnt fit right on the sanded dash. These things are made to fit tight with all the material that has been taken off he'd have to rebuild it all back up. or it'd it fit sloppy and too widea round the corners.

There are alot of haters on those because on the sides it goes down to the horizontal line right in the middle not all the way down. Same on the center console area, it doesnt go all the way down it stops and is cut off. I dont care though Im still going to get one to replace my cracked ass, once perfect dash... screw you 29 Palms California.
Those haters should stop hatin' - these things are pure awesome. If anyone is worried about the line, they could flock either the cover or the lower part of the car's dash... that way the line looks intentional, like where the transition from flocked to vinyl is supposed to happen.

[tommytwo40hands]

damn, thats crazy man..i've been trying to figure out something to do with my dash also, i have to stare at the grand canyon everytime i get in my car...i know this is too late for your dash but for others out there looking to do the same thing, instead of using expandable foam(cuz it's unpredictable) after you take off the old liner, you should try using some sort of clay or even sheetrock mud..that way you can actually get the right contour of the dash an even put in other "dash lines" then wrap it with some nice leather or cloth.

[GripTerror]

hmm ive cut up parts of my dash to make room/lose weight. My car is strippd out, and yes I've lost a few pounds off the dash no bs... however i still have the vynl and that stuff underneath... ive been tempted to start ripping the vynl but i am not sure what to expect underneath. I figure i could get it down to the bare plastic and use that but I am holding off until i see someone remove that foam shit all together... hmm. Never seen a bare plastic of the dash.. as there's that foam there.

[lazysk8er2]

so whatd you wind up doing

[Siberian Husky]

Right now the dash is just sitting there, bare nekked. No vinyl, no foam, no nothin but the bare plastic frame. I really dont know what to do with it. Havnt really bothered much as i've been using my time to fix all the mechanical issues the car had, power steering, mounts, leaks, etc.

I wanna just flock this shit and put it back in, but im going to have to do something about the awkward gap between the now-skinny dash and the center piece that holds the climate unit and shift boot.

[GripTerror]

how did u remove everything to b are plastic

[conrad_s13.5]

flocking CAN look really fucking cool if its done right

that center console looks dope!

hell yeah man!

i got a mint black dash,. but im still wanting to do something different. Just dnt kno what yet

thinkin straight track,.. like GT style

[Siberian Husky]

how did u remove everything to b are plastic


peeled the vinyl off. and scraped off the foam with a butter knife and finished it off with foam adhesive remover.

[lazysk8er2]

try and contact a user Broadfield on zilvia he doesnt custom interior work maybe he can finish it for u his stuff is top notch

[shadowcorp]

There is a company or two that make products that are for repairing and resurfacing the same material those dashes are made out of. It's also a good way to smooth em out so they look like the ones people have taken the time to fiber glass over so their more like a hard smooth shell. From there you could paint it how ever you like including adding designs if you wanted

But since I just read that you striped it already nvm me lol. If you want another one to mess with that still has the foam then let me know I think there's one sitting in my attic along with a bunch of other random parts since we made two cars into one

[Siberian Husky]

There is a company or two that make products that are for repairing and resurfacing the same material those dashes are made out of. It's also a good way to smooth em out so they look like the ones people have taken the time to fiber glass over so their more like a hard smooth shell. From there you could paint it how ever you like including adding designs if you wanted

But since I just read that you striped it already nvm me lol. If you want another one to mess with that still has the foam then let me know I think there's one sitting in my attic along with a bunch of other random parts since we made two cars into one

I'd love to have it, but your in florida and im in cali. thats all the way across the world for a dash.

[shadowcorp]

Yea sry I keep forgetting that every ones not in florida on this forum lol.