Camaro-Drew

I had the typical cracked dash but didn't want to fork out $400 for a new one and I simply don't like dash caps/covers. So I decided to try my hand at reupholstering the dash pad. I norrowed it down to black tweed (old school styling) or black micro-suede(new school styling). I ended up going with the micro-suede. For any of you old school folks out there the procedure for laying tweed is the same. I'll skip all the minor details on filling in the cracks.
1. (if the edges of the cracks are bowing upwards) Use a cut off tool to trim the bowing portions off
2. fill in cracks with fiberglass. sand flush
3. fill in air pocket or dips in the fiberglass with bondo. sand flush
4. (option) good time to shave the side vents if you wish
5. use sand paper to scuff entire dash pad (promotes good adhesion)
6. thoroughly clean entire dash pad with soap and water, let dry

this is where I'll start the pictures..Cracks filled, side vents shaved

Camaro-Drew

Now onto the supplies. All you need is the fabric and the upholstry spray glue. Got both from Joanns. The micro-suede was about $9 yard, picked up 2 yds but I'm pretty sure 1yd would've been enough. The glue was about $10 a can.

Now onto laying the fabric.
1. Spray down the tops and sides of the dash pad and bottom side of fabric with the glue
2. Lay down the fabric over the pad. (the glue is extremely sticky and dries fast, was unable to take pics for this reason)
3. Stretch fabric tight until whole top/sides of dash are covered (be very,very,very carefull not to get glue on top side of fabric)
4. make multiple slits in fabric over rear vent holes and fold under
5. Now onto the underside, flip over dash (make sure you have clean work surface to lay the dash on)
6. trim away excess material
7. spray underside edges with glue(be very carefull with glue overspray)
8. fold over edges and stick to underside (this part was a bit difficult so my wife helped here, she's a seamstress, she also cut and folded over the rear vents which was also pretty difficult)

btw: just wanted to give special thanks to my wife, we live in Phoenix and it was 111 degrees that day which put it at about 105 in the garage, and she toughed it out to help get this done!!!

Camaro-Drew

Here's the finished product

Camaro-Drew

Installed



BABY APPROVED!!!

Camaro-Drew

Hope this was helpfull to someone out there, just a dirt cheap solution to those of you lookin to fix a cracked dash!!

BADNBLK

iTrader: (11)

Looks pretty good. Need more suede in other areas of the interior now

Cute kid!

Edwardgp

That is very nice Camaro-Drew I will keep that in mind for my repair. Please let us know how it holds up in the heat, Thanks. PS Dad your wife has a nice smile, Good looking youngen also. Sorry.

Camaro-Drew

Thanks guys, I appreciate it!!


The dash was so flat, it made it easy for a first timer to do, I don't think I could pull off all the countors throughout the rest of the interior. Figure I'd be doing more harm than good.

FSTFBDY

iTrader: (33)

looks great. Some of the new exotic hi end cars have suede. Ive always wanted to do nice recaros with leather / suede centers. do the dash top and door panels in the same style.

Again looks great.

GPSkinzhut

iTrader: (2)

that's pretty interesting actually. How well does bondo hold up with interior temps? I'd really love to see some micro suede on the interior plastics too.

Do it!

FSTFBDY

iTrader: (33)

Bonodo should hold up ok. Id have used a micro balloon / GA combo myself as the feeler. Then the bondo as a skim coat on top.



GPSkinzhut,

Those seats would look great in my vert.. drrroooollll....

GPSkinzhut

iTrader: (2)

Good to know.

Thanks! One Of the better investments I've made

Camaro-Drew

I did use bondo as just a skim coat, fiberglass was the main filler, which is pretty versatile so I'm sure it'll hold. And I haven't the slightest idea what a micro balloon is but I'm defanately going to research it for future reference!

FSTFBDY

iTrader: (33)

something Ive used in the aviation field for filler materials. VERY LIGHT weight. Very strong , etc..

http://www.ipmsstockholm.org/magazin...roballoons.htm

Jim85IROC

iTrader: (2)

It looks nice. I have a couple comments though.

If you filled the rest of the speaker grills in, it would look smoother, or if you do have speakers in the dash, perhaps open up the area and install a perforated grill similar to what the Firebirds use.

I would also make sure you use the good automotive grade (read: expensive) alcantera, otherwise it will turn purple in no time. The furniture grade stuff doesn't use UV resistant dies.

Camaro-Drew

It's being built strictly for track use, it'll spend most the rest of its life under the safety of the garage, and our two drag strips in phoenix hold most of the grass roots local events at night, so hopefully the color will hold up, just wanted an inexpensive but decent looking way to cover up the cracks

KiLLJ0Y

iTrader: (1)

i hope it has a good UV protection... because its going to fade

blackjack12982

That looks good! I definitely like it, just like every other 3rd Gen, my dash pad is cracked. I need to do something like this, I think it would make a world of difference in just general looks on the interior.

Ruckusz28

iTrader: (3)

Looks great!!

david86camaro

This looks nice, I'm glad you posted it I have been thinking of covering mine with fabric of some sort, I have a dash pad and like it but the corners have cracked and now a crack has started over the years in the middle and the skill needed to repair and repaint is beyond my skill. I might have a chance at this, I also plan on doing the headliner to about the same way. I like the suede rather than a standard fabric.

david86camaro

I also was thinking about doing this on my center armrest/glove box cover but I would need to find a flexibe glue and a way to cover the "seams".

Chevy86 IROC-Z

iTrader: (17)

NICE WORK!!!! Suscribed.

Davidgou

iTrader: (2)

Amazing job! I've been thinking about doing something like that for my two cars but had never seen anybody do it. Thanks for posting this, very helpful!

Camaro-Drew

Thanks for the compliments guys!!!!

j88l98irocz

iTrader: (4)

Looks awesome dude! I will be doing this to my dash for sure.