Sorry if this has already been discussed, but while flipping around on ebay I noticed that their are carpeted dash top covers and dash caps.....does either one end up looking good?

The "dash caps" -or covers look like a neat idea. Made from ABS plastic with the vinyl grain like stock. They cover your existing dash pad and are glued down using silicone. The ad claims 30 minute install time. Of course they cost more than any dash carpet.

If anyone has tried one of these, how do you like it, and does it cover the front edge of the dash top? How is the fitment overall?

Then there are the carpeted dash covers that look kinda neat - and you can get them embroidered with "Z28", a bowtie etc. Plus they seem priced cheap. Are those a good solution to cover a cracked dash? I know they basically just sit on top of the dash, but do they need to be glued down, velcro or what?

Thanks in advance for any replies!

 

We sold these for years where I work. As long as your dash isn't cracked really bad, they work great. The material is fairly thin so if you have a crack split real wide and warped up on the edges, you're going to notice it. Fit was always really good. They're one of the few parts still made in the US.

The carpeted ones (at least the dash mat brand) use velcro to hold them on.

 

Ahhh...so the covers don't have a hard backing then -like a cap per se....? Mine has only one crack down the center, and the edge is warped up just slightly. If I cut the warped edges down, and filled the crack with silicone or something, would it show through then I wonder?

 

If you could get it smooth then I think it would work fine. There's no backing on them at all though, its the same material all the way through.

 

since we sell the abs ones, may as well chime in.

if you have big cracks, you'll want to get them as level as possible; sand down anything sitting higher than the rest of the dash and fill or cover (cloth tape *should* work in most cases) any dips. the flatter, the better they lay

also one word of caution - since the plastic caps are thin, they can be more prone to damage due to heat. if you live in a hot area, you'll need to use a windshield cover to block excess sun damage (noted in the warranty info).

as for appearance, they definitely do look nice without breaking the bank or requiring much install time. if you're picky, you will see its a cap, but for most of our customers, its a big step up from the damaged piece they were used to looking at

 

As far as the carpet covers ...

I have a perfect stock dash pad - and I keep it covered ALWAYS with the carpeted cover. I've only removed it once for a show, otherwise it stays on. I use a washcloth with windex sprayed on the cloth LIGHTLY about 6 times a year to get the dust off the dashpad, and I use the TurtleWax cleaner about 3 times a year, and I keep the carpet cover on it. I did NOT use the velcro with the carpet cover, I just lay it on there - it gets slightly mashed up in the front of the windshield and stays perfect, even at 100mph with windows down and tops out.

They are well worth the minimal cost to protect and cover.

 

I have used a dashmat and it was kind of a pain in the ***. it looks better than a cracked dash, but fitment was really off and it took nearly $30 of velcro to hold it on. here is my review of a mat i got off ebay from customkovers https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/afte...-dash-mat.html.

Eventually i ended up finding a dashpad, completely perfect condition at a junkyard for $40 bucks. Used tons of simple green, sealant and armor all and now it's brand new.

 

The very next day after i post this, we get -10* weather and it cracks to hell and back.

 

I have a mat. It came with the Car. I hate it. I think i would rather see the cracked dash. I think i'll remove it.