Ok guys, I pulled the dash out, ripped off the cheesy plastic cap, and am staring at a brittle, broken, mess! Now what? I found a guy online who repairs AlfaRomeo dashes, and bought the Urethane to repair the plastic- and am now thinking of covering the entire thing in leather after the repairs are made.. I'm thinking of using the urethane to re-bond the plastic, fiberglass to strengthen the entire unit (as it's not going to have that soft, spongey feel again anyway, and then wrapping it in leather with silver stitching. Your thoughts?

http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/ElkySS/86%20El%20Camino%20SS/Dashboard%20remove%20and%20repair/P1040482.jpg
http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/ElkySS/86%20El%20Camino%20SS/Dashboard%20remove%20and%20repair/P1040475.jpg

Have you thought about Just Dashes? Here is a link. I have never used them so I can't say good or bad.
http://www.justdashes.com/

Can't remember where i heard some bad press on those guys... but the website looks good. It's nice to have a thermo-vacuuming process ;) I wonder if all the steps up to the laying-on of vinyl can be done, and then use some Plasti-Dip paint? Sounds crazy maybe, but I have another car I've used that stuff to black out emblems, front grill, even wheels... Any one of us can grind the high spots, glue a foam sheet, and sand to "perfection"... it's that damn vinyl:banghead:

i saw another G-body owner on MCSS.com do the leather dash- their's was grey with red stitching. Looked pretty good. MikesMontes.com sells recovered dashes, but they are pricey. Cheaper than just dashes, though.

i would just go to ecklers or some other supplier and buy a dash cover for it....about $130. unless its going to be a show car or you want to spend big money

Darby, can you post pics, or a link to the page? Does anyone else have suggestions, successes, etc? Here's some pics of the damage after the dashcap was removed. The Space Shuttle glue the guy used to put it on, caused more damage in the removal- than was probably there before:mad2:
http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/ElkySS/86%20El%20Camino%20SS/Dash%20removal%20mouse%20eviction/Actually%20repairing%20it/P1040549.jpg
http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/ElkySS/86%20El%20Camino%20SS/Dash%20removal%20mouse%20eviction/Actually%20repairing%20it/P1040551.jpg
http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/ElkySS/86%20El%20Camino%20SS/Dash%20removal%20mouse%20eviction/Actually%20repairing%20it/P1040552.jpg

Never been a "good-enuff" kinda wrench. My cars are done right top to bottom... sadly, that IS expensive :(

Maybe a swap from another car, like a Regal, Cutlass or maybe a Malibu?

Hey Bill! While you have the dash off, would you mind getting some good pics of the back for me?

I'm trying to get an idea of where there's solid material under it(metal, hard plastic), and where its just held together by foam padding.

I'd like to sand down/remove most of my warped/cracked padding. Want to first make sure they'll be enough dash left after I do, that I can attach my cluster, speakers, vents, etc.!

John, I'd be open to other dashes- problem i keep running into is, they're all junk too.. I'm really a "glass is half full" kinda guy- its the availability of this stuff that's so negative. I won't pay $1K for a Mikes Monte's dash, either- as he's probably having Just Dashes do the work(?)
Rx, I can take some more pics of the back tomorrow evening, and send you a pm to my photobucket.
I'd really like to see a leather covered dash, get prices on the labor, and make it perfect :)

Maybe a swap from another car, like a Regal, Cutlass or maybe a Malibu?

That's what I was thinking. Regal dashes have held up real well and they don't cost that much. I saw some guy selling a Monte dash on Monte Carlo SS.com, for $500, with prospective buyers and I joked about it at turbo Buick (thread w/pics below). Perfect Buick dashes only bring about $150 after a lot of himming and hawing. I know, I just sold one. Bill G. ... you're not looking hard enough. ;)


http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/parts-sale/330729-regal-dash-pad.html

I have the GN/T type dash in mine. It was a craigslist find I got for $200. Came with a 145 mph speedo, all the gauges, switches, and bezel and was without any defect. I guess they are garaged more often.

I'd be damned if I'd pay those ridiculous prices for those chevy dashes.

you might try elcaminoestoree.com some fair prices...some maybe not....classic are money pits!

sorry elcaminoestore.com alll thumbs!

I think they had a applied cover for around $100

Here's a link to the "Long" thread on MCSS about the leather dash. The dash was just a part of the overall restoration. Dash is about halfway down on page ( page 6)

http://www.montecarloss.com/community/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=484380&page=6

Last year on Fleabay, an original GM in the box dash sold for........$1300.
Out here in The Outlands, we don't have rust........or good dashboards.
Craig

That's what I was thinking. Regal dashes have held up real well and they don't cost that much. I saw some guy selling a Monte dash on Monte Carlo SS.com, for $500, with prospective buyers and I joked about it at turbo Buick (thread w/pics below). Perfect Buick dashes only bring about $150 after a lot of himming and hawing. I know, I just sold one. Bill G. ... you're not looking hard enough. ;)


http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/parts-sale/330729-regal-dash-pad.html

Thanks Red Regal T, you're right- after reading the thread at that forum, I'm not looking hard enough...well I will be now :) Opened my eyes to the availability of swaps... actually got excited when i saw your seats- but thats another thread ha:nana2:

Here's a link to the "Long" thread on MCSS about the leather dash. The dash was just a part of the overall restoration. Dash is about halfway down on page ( page 6)

http://www.montecarloss.com/community/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=484380&page=6

Great link Darbysan, thanks for digging that up:You_Rock: That's exactly what i had in mind for my dash- only black with silver stitching. Perhaps if i do the grunt work, i can get a price to cover it that wont require a second mortgage..

I've seen the ElCamino store stuff, and they're dashes have hidden hundred-dollar bills inside.... well, they must for the money they charge.:dontknow: haha I think I can get a better product doing it myself- even if it means that i have to learn to sew.
I was disappointed with last nights Car Warriors (more reality drama :( ) as they didnt show the dash or much of the cars, for that matter... I was hoping to get some ideas on fabricating my own. I want to make it continue thru the middle of the car like newer models, and that means I'm gonna get familiar with mdf and fiberglas.

I run a monte SS dash, like the look better. Wanted a grand prix dash but couldn't find one in good shape in time. Grand prix dashes are nice because of all the spots to add gauges and such

So... I talked to the nice folks at Just Dashes in Van Nuys this afternoon. To restore my dash in black, its $1,350 plus shipping (gulp!). I'm sure they do a fantastic job, but that's just not in the cards for "just" the dash. My plan now is to use the urethane, fiberglas (where, and if necessary) and the fiber-reinforced Bondo to smooth it out, then deliver to an upholsterer in Waltham- who will wrap in either leather or vinyl. I expressed to him that I wanted to strike a deal for delivering the dash, door panels, headliner, etc.. as its less labor, no vehicle in his bay, and so forth- to which he was agreeable. Tonight i begin the smoothing process:beer:

I've tried about everything to fix my '87's dash. I bought a full cover el camino store dash cap that wasn't worth the cheap plastic it was molded from. The grain was way off, it didn't use the correct dash lines, and didn't fit with the dash insert, speakers, glove box or radio bezel. It was chucked and I bought a dash from a guy for $300 that was brown but I knew I could dye it. Upon prepping the dash for dye I realized that it had formed hairline cracks everywhere just from me handling it. So that brittle junk was thrown out too. I eventually spent over $500 getting it recovered with vinyl. And that has failed miserably too, because the wrong adhesive was used and NOTHING STICKS TO ARMOR ALL! So now after about $1000 my dash needs to be ripped out for the third time and get fixed by the guy who attempted to recover it again. I wish there was a reasonable solution!:let_it_all_out:

Try VFN Fiberglass, they have a glass dash for 350.00 +- some coin, I cant remember but its right there in price, Thats what I am planning to do with my 79 2 door. Matty man:beer:

I've tried about everything to fix my '87's dash. I bought a full cover el camino store dash cap that wasn't worth the cheap plastic it was molded from. The grain was way off, it didn't use the correct dash lines, and didn't fit with the dash insert, speakers, glove box or radio bezel. It was chucked and I bought a dash from a guy for $300 that was brown but I knew I could dye it. Upon prepping the dash for dye I realized that it had formed hairline cracks everywhere just from me handling it. So that brittle junk was thrown out too. I eventually spent over $500 getting it recovered with vinyl. And that has failed miserably too, because the wrong adhesive was used and NOTHING STICKS TO ARMOR ALL! So now after about $1000 my dash needs to be ripped out for the third time and get fixed by the guy who attempted to recover it again. I wish there was a reasonable solution!:let_it_all_out:

Same here- my initial pics were deleted, tho I'm not sure why- perhaps i broke the link to my photobucket- but in them you can see the same Dash C(r)ap you hated so much. Cheeeeeeeeeezy, $89 dollar band-aid ended up ripping the dash up just getting it off:let_it_all_out:- the fix is in now tho... the more i think about it, the more i want to do this right, and have a nice looking dash for years to come.

Agreed, I should have probably gone to just dashes....I could have saved money perhaps, for sure time!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/82-87-Monte-Carlo-Malibu-El-Camino-dash-pad-/180627749773?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2a0e40bb8d

yeah, but that ebay dash is already cracking, so it's starting the process we've all come to hate!

John's right, sure maybe the ebay dash can be had for less than a new one- but if you press on those areas along the top of the dashpad where the two lines run along its' length... you know, the area in constant sunlight- or the area near where the defroster pumps out hot, dry air... guaranteed it cracks:( Heck, just putting in a salvaged dash will probably create some new cracks. The plastic is hard, the foam has lost its suppleness, and you're stuck. I don't see any way to repair these things, aside from new foam, and new vinyl... anyone else??

As far as I know no one makes a replacement dash,only dash caps and yours looks pretty well gone.Just dashes got some complaints because the ones complaining I believe did not send the speaker grilles and such in with the dash but if you are careful you can use a heatgun to warm the ABS and then massage the plastic so the pieces will fit right.
I'm in the process of doing an interior of a 1986 Trans AM and used this process in repairing some problems and so far looks real good but don't know how it will last so only time will tell.
http://gtam.silvahalo.com/dashrepair/index_original.html you will need to experiment with distance with the spray can to get the texture that you want but use whatever scrap you have to practice on don't practice on what you are trying to fix or you will have too much buildup.

As far as I know no one makes a replacement dash,only dash caps and yours looks pretty well gone.Just dashes got some complaints because the ones complaining I believe did not send the speaker grilles and such in with the dash but if you are careful you can use a heatgun to warm the ABS and then massage the plastic so the pieces will fit right.
I'm in the process of doing an interior of a 1986 Trans AM and used this process in repairing some problems and so far looks real good but don't know how it will last so only time will tell.
http://gtam.silvahalo.com/dashrepair/index_original.html you will need to experiment with distance with the spray can to get the texture that you want but use whatever scrap you have to practice on don't practice on what you are trying to fix or you will have too much buildup.

That's the link I was referring to initially about the "guy with the Alfa". If you chase it down, theres a forum where he fields all kinds of questions from his peers looking to do the same thing. That's where i got the urethane- and as a matter of fact, had to special order it for $36 bucks a cartridge... so lets hope the stuff works!

Here's a few pics from my first experience with the Evercoat Urethane. I should have worn rubber gloves, as I'll be picking this stuff off my fingertips for a week! I can tell you that the nozzle goes hard after the first squeeze, and you'll end up mixing it on a platen- i grabbed the closest thing to me when i realized i had to work faster... The manufacturer claims you can sand in an hour, and i look forward to seeing how smooth i can get it. :beer:
http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/ElkySS/86%20El%20Camino%20SS/Dash%20removal%20mouse%20eviction/Actually%20repairing%20it/P1040550.jpg
Before and after pics:
http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/ElkySS/86%20El%20Camino%20SS/Dash%20removal%20mouse%20eviction/Actually%20repairing%20it/P1040558.jpg
http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/ElkySS/86%20El%20Camino%20SS/Dash%20removal%20mouse%20eviction/Actually%20repairing%20it/P1040549.jpg
http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/ElkySS/86%20El%20Camino%20SS/Dash%20removal%20mouse%20eviction/Actually%20repairing%20it/P1040560.jpg

anybody got any pictures of a el camino dash pad i just bought one and wanna see what i got myself into
thanks :usa:

Spent the afternoon rough sanding and filing the urethane into shape. This stuff really is amazing- where there was just brittle, flaking foam- I frosted it like a cake, and now there's a nice supple feel to it. Granted, the sanding isn't complete- but what I have so far is promising.
http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/ElkySS/86%20El%20Camino%20SS/Dash%20removal%20mouse%20eviction/Actually%20repairing%20it/P1040568.jpg
http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/ElkySS/86%20El%20Camino%20SS/Dash%20removal%20mouse%20eviction/Actually%20repairing%20it/P1040570.jpg
http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/ElkySS/86%20El%20Camino%20SS/Dash%20removal%20mouse%20eviction/Actually%20repairing%20it/P1040569.jpg
http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/ElkySS/86%20El%20Camino%20SS/Dash%20removal%20mouse%20eviction/Actually%20repairing%20it/P1040571.jpg

I remember an 84 El Camino with an Olds Cutlass dash, right down to the slide rule speedo.
I know Chevy stuff is overpriced, compared to other GM brands. Some people want ' correct '
others want something the factory never offered, but could have. Others want the ' Racey Spacey '
look, and would be better off with an airplane dash. During the Van Craze several companies sold
reworked dashes, some used all factory, others used all Aftermarket Guages. Tell us what look your
after, which instruments the car car come with, and a budget [ so to speak ]

Hi AW80, I'm not attempting an accurate resto, but want to keep that "80's look". Sure, there's a lot of nicer looking dashes in all kinds of different styles- but to me, they'd conflict with the feel of the car. This is a pre-Airbag, full-framed car, and everyone that gets in, knows it- so my intent here is to stay true to the style and "update" the interior. When the dash is done, I'll have it wrapped in either leather or vinyl with contrasting stitching, and AutoMeter Phantom gauges inside the Instrument cluster panel. No bolt-on gauges, or column mounted tachs for me. The stereo will be double-DIN head unit, with kick panels housing 6" Component speakers- the tweeters will likely be mounted in the old 3" dash speaker location. Plans call for a center console, picking up where the ashtray-delete ends (that is, where it "used to be" ) and extends to the back wall with two cupholders, and a storage compartment. The back wall will hold two JL Audio amps, and 4each JL Audio 8" subwoofers- all tastefully done, and "peudo-factory" in appearance. Aside from the upholstery work, I plan on doing it all myself... I haven't put a not-to-exceed number on it, and with many of the parts already acquired, I'd have to add those in- but it won't be in the "hundreds" when it's all done- I'm realistic. I keep all my receipts....maybe, just maybe- I'll add 'em up when I'm done :alcoholic:

The dash revival is looking nice there bill!

For less than a $200 from any major resto supplier (I like OPGI) and your done unless you really just have to have that leather with stitching. For me, I would put the bigger $$ bucks it would cost you for that leather/stitching elsewhere on the ride....

Hey, those pictures look great! Could you dye the dash with the urethane on it instead of covering it?

Hey, those pictures look great! Could you dye the dash with the urethane on it instead of covering it?

Violasound, I got the idea of using this urethane from an Alfa Romeo forum where he wasn't covering the dash- rather painting it black, and it looked fantastic. I posted the link earlier in the thread, but basically after sanding the urethane he sprayed the dash with a rattle can of bedliner... I'm choosing to cover it, and only need to recreate the plastic base, but if you have the patience- the urethane is amazing stuff. I'm not sure if the dye would take- but either the bedliner paint OR PlastiDip aerosol paint- i swear by that stuff for a lot of applications.

The dash revival is looking nice there bill!

Thanks Rxkafee :) Needs more sanding, but it's looking promising:beer:

I've been spreading urethane, and sanding nights to get what i think is a HUGE improvement over what i had. Granted, it's not perfect- but I've got less than a hundred bucks into it, and did it all myself. The dash now has that spongy, supple feel to it, and NO more cracks or flaking foam!:smileyb: Check out the pics I had to delete the groove detail around the perimeter and dash openings as the broken part repair crossed into those areas. Unless you've got one to compare- it looks stock still.
http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/ElkySS/86%20El%20Camino%20SS/Dash%20removal%20mouse%20eviction/Actually%20repairing%20it/P1040719.jpg
http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/ElkySS/86%20El%20Camino%20SS/Dash%20removal%20mouse%20eviction/Actually%20repairing%20it/P1040706.jpg
http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/ElkySS/86%20El%20Camino%20SS/Dash%20removal%20mouse%20eviction/Actually%20repairing%20it/P1040718.jpg
http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/ElkySS/86%20El%20Camino%20SS/Dash%20removal%20mouse%20eviction/Actually%20repairing%20it/P1040708.jpg

Ok, so it isnt perfect. I'm disappointed, but that comes with being such a perfectionist. Even to the point that i went to JoAnn fabrics and bought some marine grade vinyl, and recover it... but I'm tired of working on this thing, and perhaps I should just get a carpet dashmat for the top (which is where the imperfections are) and get on with the rest of the interior? Your thoughts?http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/ElkySS/86%20El%20Camino%20SS/Dash%20removal%20mouse%20eviction/Actually%20repairing%20it/P1040722.jpg
http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/ElkySS/86%20El%20Camino%20SS/Dash%20removal%20mouse%20eviction/Actually%20repairing%20it/P1040721.jpg
http://i887.photobucket.com/albums/ac73/ElkySS/86%20El%20Camino%20SS/Dash%20removal%20mouse%20eviction/Actually%20repairing%20it/P1040724.jpg

After all this time and effort, if you don't take the time now to put the vinyl on it like you planned, just think about how much time you'll have to kick yourself for that. Like maybe every time you get in it!!

Work like this is very much like building show quality model cars. Sometimes, when you get tired of working on them, you just gotta walk away for awhile and come back later when "you have your mind right" (thanx Strother Martin).

I can see from the pics that you have the room, and it's not sitting outside, so work on another part of the car for a week or 2 and then come back and do it the way you want to. You'll be a lot happier for a lot longer if you do!

:dontknow: :poke: :beer:

Dang Keyser, when you're right, you're right. I've wrestled this while painting (and repainting) the gauge cluster, center strip, and radio bezel, and know you're right. After all the trouble, to look at this every time i drive it, will have me making excuses for it, and that's no fun.