Wrapping Dash in Vinyl

[ryan_eyres]

Has anyone out there had any luck wrapping a dash with a single piece of vinyl? I was thinking 3m spray adhesive and a heat gun to stretch it around and into the contours, but I'm not sure how well it will stretch.
Here is a pic of the primed dash. That radio hole will be filled prior to covering (originally had planned to open the hole up to flush mount a sounder).
The vinyl will terminate underneath the windshield, and be held into the square recess on the left with an aluminum dash plate that will be screwed over it. Also, it will be pulled into the recess on the instrument pod by another aluminum plate that will have the gauges mounted into it.

Anyone have any input on this before I get into it?

Thanks,
-Ryan

 

[Bondo]

Re: Wrapping Dash in Vinyl

Ayuh,...

With that many compound Angles,...

I think you're going to be Disappointed...

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Wrapping Dash in Vinyl

Ayuh,...

With that many compound Angles,...

I think you're going to be Disappointed...

Agreed unless your a very accomplished seamster

 

[kingquad99]

Re: Wrapping Dash in Vinyl

when you get it done let me know how, having same problem with mine even the shop i took it too said he may not be able to do it, i my be stuck with two crappy dashes.

 

[superpop]

Re: Wrapping Dash in Vinyl

You can try but that is a lot of corners. If you get a good quality vinyl and pour acetone on the back of it, the acetone eats away the glue that binds the vinyl to the backing fabric, you can then separate the backing fabric from the vinyl and you are left with an almost rubbery vinyl that you can stretch and pull. The trick is to have a really high tack high quality glue that will bond very fast so as you stretch the material around the curves and work it flat, it does not pull free as it will want to do. I would probably create some nice contoured panels out of MDF and then seal it really well and wrap it in pad and a nice vinyl and then screw these pieces down from below. You could even create a cool looking gauge panel out of carbon fiber or wood. Tap plastics sells the carbon fiber looking stock that a few people have used to dress up the gauge area.

 

[robert graham]

Re: Wrapping Dash in Vinyl

Yeah, you can do that, start with some very soft, supple, stretchable vinyl from a fabric supplier, warm it up a bit, take your time, start in the middle and work your way to the sides. I like the 3M weatherstrip adhesive in the tube because you can control it better than a spray, but either would work. Take your time and remember to "measure twice and cut once". The job may be easier than you think. Maybe after you're done, treat the vinyl with some good UV sun protectant like from an automotive supplier. Good Luck!