Dashboard re-finishing options/opinions

Sam Pritcher

Sam Pritcher

Club Member
So my Dashboard is out and I am repairing the cracks this week and I wanted a few opinions/maybe more options on the re-finishing of the dash.

I have seen pictures of the dashboard's sprayed with Upol Plastx textured paint and wanted to know if anyone on here has done theirs this way and what the durability is like? (I dont want to be taking the dash out again!!!)

I have also considered flocking as I am good friends with a company who do it and the finish is excellent albeit not very Oem.

I had my centre console flocked by them to see how it would look as I figured if I didnt like it I could always use thinners to remove it (messy job) and then re-finish it in the Upol Plastx.

Cheers in advance
Sam
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uk66fastback

uk66fastback

Club Member
So do you like the flocked console or not!? You didn't say ... I think if you do one you have to do the other (or scrap it on both). Not very helpful I know!
 
Sam Pritcher

Sam Pritcher

Club Member
uk66fastback said:
So do you like the flocked console or not!? You didn't say ... I think if you do one you have to do the other (or scrap it on both). Not very helpful I know!
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Sorry, I wasnt clear, I like the flocking but am not sure which way to go at the moment so wanted a few opinions, then whatever finish I go for will be on the centre console and the dash
 
Turn & Burn

Turn & Burn

Club Member
Even if you repair it the cracks will come back, it seems very hard to fix a solid repair into foam. Flocking may hide the repairs well and personally I think it looks ok.
 
arcdef

arcdef

Club Member
This is something I need to sort as well but have pencilled in for next winter!

What is the cost of flocking the dash compared to a replacement? Also how much did the centre console cost?

There are some leather covers on Ebay which I've seen people fit on other forums with abit of work. At least then you dont need to worry about the crack repairs failing.
 
Sam Pritcher

Sam Pritcher

Club Member
arcdef said:
This is something I need to sort as well but have pencilled in for next winter!

What is the cost of flocking the dash compared to a replacement? Also how much did the centre console cost?

There are some leather covers on Ebay which I've seen people fit on other forums with abit of work. At least then you dont need to worry about the crack repairs failing.
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Luckily I know the people who do the flocking and they charge me next to nothing to do it, so its a very cheap option for me.
I think normally if you repair the cracks yourself then sent the bits to them they charge around £200 to do the Dashboard/glovebox/centre console, so still a lot cheaper than getting a replacement!
The only thing I am torn over is that I would like to keep the original look if possible but my dash is incredibly cracked so I think I will be getting it flocked
 
richiep

richiep

Club Member
I've done a dash with U-Pol PlastX. It can be made to look extremely close to factory - to the point that when given some fine sanding and a few coats of black trim/vinyl paint over the top, it is nearly impossible for the untrained eye to see where the repairs have been done. I didn't spray the whole dash with the Plast-X, just the repair areas, and blended the edges into the original vinyl texture.

Overall, I used flexible bumper filler to repair the cracks and strengthen and smooth the surface above them. You could use fibreglass filler for really nasty cracks I'd think. I then used both the medium and fine grades of Plast-X in combination, with sanding to take the surface roughness away, as the Plast-X can be quite "gritty" if left as sprayed. As mentioned, the whole dash was then painted with satin black trim paint (I used Halfords own brand, which I really liked, but the changed the formula a while back and it just isn't as good now IMO).
 
Sam Pritcher

Sam Pritcher

Club Member
richiep said:
I've done a dash with U-Pol PlastX. It can be made to look extremely close to factory - to the point that when given some fine sanding and a few coats of black trim/vinyl paint over the top, it is nearly impossible for the untrained eye to see where the repairs have been done. I didn't spray the whole dash with the Plast-X, just the repair areas, and blended the edges into the original vinyl texture.

Overall, I used flexible bumper filler to repair the cracks and strengthen and smooth the surface above them. You could use fibreglass filler for really nasty cracks I'd think. I then used both the medium and fine grades of Plast-X in combination, with sanding to take the surface roughness away, as the Plast-X can be quite "gritty" if left as sprayed. As mentioned, the whole dash was then painted with satin black trim paint (I used Halfords own brand, which I really liked, but the changed the formula a while back and it just isn't as good now IMO).
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How has that lasted? Have any cracks come back? Has the dash scratched or any paint lifted at all?
 
richiep

richiep

Club Member
Sam Pritcher said:
How has that lasted? Have any cracks come back? Has the dash scratched or any paint lifted at all?
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TBH, the dash is for my project car and hasn’t been fitted. However, I did the work probably 3-4 years ago, and there’s no sign of repair failure. I personally seriously doubt the repairs will fail in use either. I just don’t see the dash getting enough of a battering to have an effect. Maybe repair failure would be more of an issue in a hot climate (with repairs done with crappy American products... ;) ), but for a typical UK weekend toy?
 
Sam Pritcher

Sam Pritcher

Club Member
richiep said:
TBH, the dash is for my project car and hasn’t been fitted. However, I did the work probably 3-4 years ago, and there’s no sign of repair failure. I personally seriously doubt the repairs will fail in use either. I just don’t see the dash getting enough of a battering to have an effect. Maybe repair failure would be more of an issue in a hot climate (with repairs done with crappy American products... ;) ), but for a typical UK weekend toy?
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Sounds pretty good then! I dont suppose you have a picture of your dash after the work so I can see the finish?
 
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