Just dashes

[gow589]

Just got my dash back from Just Dashes. Now the fun begins:


http://www.rc-tech.net/cars/cutlass/dash/ohmy.jpg

http://www.rc-tech.net/cars/cutlass/dash/jd.jpg

[ragz442]

Dash looks nice! I've thought about having my '77 done, but don't think I can swing it right now, I know it's not cheap. Both my 73-76 dashes still look pretty good, they seem to hold up better than the 77's.

[gow589]

Dash looks nice! I've thought about having my '77 done, but don't think I can swing it right now, I know it's not cheap.

Ya got to really want the car! $$

[damaged442]

That really came out nice. I was thinking about having mine done too. Toughest part is...I have two! If you don't mind me asking, how much did they charge? What did the dash look like before? Overall, are you pleased with how it came out?

[Andy 73]

The dash looks lovley, did you change color? I am having a heart attack, how will it ever go back and still work. You must be some electric wizard. Andy

[gow589]

The color is the same Andy. Bert the old dash was sticky and yucky. That seems the best way to describe it. Some one along the line tried to repair and sprayed the dash with something. Made it a gooy mess. I am quite pleased with the re-build from just dashes. Frankly I can't even picture how they do what they do. Price was around ....hang on let me put a board between my teeth...$1350.

[gow589]

Forgot the old photos:

http://www.rc-tech.net/cars/cutlass/dash/olddash2.jpg

http://www.rc-tech.net/cars/cutlass/dash/olddash3.jpg

[Andy 73]

I think I am in for the same thing. My dash is stickie no mater what you clean it with. I got from my mom when she died and I think she cleaned it with simple green daily since new. Is there any way to do it in the car, I would never in a million years get it off and back on. Andy

[gow589]

Afraid not Andy. They strip down the dash, clean it, paint it then vulcanize a new surface on it.

[Andy 73]

Mate, All I Can Add Is I'm In Big Trouble. Andy

[gow589]

Are you going to do it? It's not so bad if the car is not a daily driver. Take your time, photograph everything. I don't think the electrical is an issue. All the plugs are different so that can't get screwed up. It will give me a chance to fix a few things behind the dash. The plastic air dust is separated, broken water valve cable, etc.

[damaged442]

WOW! That's quite a hefty price tag! :eek: Looks like I'll be saving my bottles and cans for a while. Did that include shipping? It looks like they did a great job though, and if that's what it costs then so be it. It's not like thay have much competition, as I don't know of any other companies that do what they do.
The dash in my 73 looks like yours did. It's actually pretty common for that to happen. I tried many things to clean it up, got frustrated, and put a Dash Mat over the top and said "screw it!" :D

[gow589]

Including shipping yes. When they told me the price I had to sit on it a while. I really had to get up the gumption to send it off but there is not much alternative if you want it done right. It is only money and that is why you go to work every day right! Why should I spend it all on groceries and rent!

[ragz442]

Wow, that's alot more than I thought :eek: . Add about $300 to that and that's what I paid for the whole car I'm restoring that has a nice dash. I'm not knocking your dash job, it looks very nice. Just my opinion, but maybe it's an area/location thing. Around here, the 73-76 dashes are usually pretty decent, it's just the bodys that have went to sheit :( .

[gow589]

Wow, that's alot more than I thought :eek: . Add about $300 to that and that's what I paid for the whole car I'm restoring that has a nice dash. I'm not knocking your dash job, it looks very nice. Just my opinion, but maybe it's an area/location thing. Around here, the 73-76 dashes are usually pretty decent, it's just the bodys that have went to sheit :( .

I understand what you mean. It's hard to justify it. I did buy another dash off ebay but I just wasn't happy with it. It was too much work to get it out and not do it right. It is a 455 car with T-tops so I figure why not do it right.

[Andy 73]

One last thing, Murphy's Law, when it is all back togeather, and everything is working fine.--------very small rattle---- I guess I felt mean today. ANDY

[redchas]

Is it just the nature of these dashes, black in particular that they get sticky and slimey over time? Even if they don't crack or warp, the shiney sticky spots are an eyesore. Anyway to clean this off? Some kind of solvent like Goof Off?

[gow589]

Is it just the nature of these dashes, black in particular that they get sticky and slimey over time? Even if they don't crack or warp, the shiney sticky spots are an eyesore. Anyway to clean this off? Some kind of solvent like Goof Off?

I think some one tried to spray or dye mine and it didn't work out.

[ragz442]

Is it just the nature of these dashes, black in particular that they get sticky and slimey over time? Even if they don't crack or warp, the shiney sticky spots are an eyesore. Anyway to clean this off? Some kind of solvent like Goof Off?

I use lacquer thinner, one rag soaked in thinner, and another to dry. I'll use a small stiff bristle brush to get in all the grain. After several good cleanings I spray it with SEM vinyl dye. Note: this is for respraying, I'd try a small spot you can't see first if your not. I've heard Simple Green works good to get the goo off sport wheels, dashes etc.

[texxas8902]

I used Westley's Bleachwhite whitewall tire cleaner and a stiff bristle brush to get in the grain. I've used purple degreaser with good results too. You may have to do it 4 or 5 times to get it clean. And it may come back, it is softeners leaching out of the plastic dash. I've never had it come back after I've cleaned and dyed a dash though. But I have had a dash crack from being dried out from the use of the degreaser but it was so stickey that I figured I had nothing to lose.
You can clean them up but it takes work and time. I have one that I have cleaned and dyed and used Ragz tip of riviting the curled edge down. It looks pretty good. I hope to install it in the next week or so.
I'm just too poor to pay $1300 for a dash, although it is beautiful. I only paid $900 for my whole 442.

[ragz442]

I have one that I have cleaned and dyed and used Ragz tip of riviting the curled edge down. It looks pretty good. I hope to install it in the next week or so.


I'm glad to hear something I've said has been useful :D . After 6 years, mines still holding up well, and it was a mess.

[73cutlass]

GOW589: Was yours wrapped around the speakers or the A/c radio panels Or Light Panels before the rebuild? If it was answer in the 3 pages please forgive me I've been out of the loop awhile. TDY in Iraq, 73 Cutlass

[gow589]

TDY, I am not sure what your question is?

I got the dash back in mostly. I have a few details to sort out. Built a heater cable from scratch which worked out well. Still need the smaller a/c vent tubes:

Photo later. Not where I thought it was.

[gow589]

New dash mostly installed. Found out today my headlights don't work:

http://www.rc-tech.net/cars/cutlass/dash/nd1.jpg

[73cutlass]

I was just wondering if the dash had the common problems with the bending or warping around the speaker areas, the radio and headlight bezals before it was refinished.

[gow589]

No those pieces were pretty good. The problem with mine; besides being 30 years old and faded was the surface was sticky. Some one tried refinishing it with who knows what. It was a mess.

[73cutlass]

thank you, and i still think it was worth it for the great job they done

[gow589]

Yes, they did a good job. The only issues I have are with the fitments of the left and right square panels. Since there are next to no alternatives, and since I don't know how they could have done better, it's NOT a complaint. But, the top above the square air vents are arched a little. The square panels do not fit as well as they could. I may have to pull them back down at some time and work that area. I am not sure how, maybe heat, maybe a slice to releave some of the plastic. Not sure. Doesn't matter, it is still a 1000x better then it was and the car is driving again!

[Hurstolds1973]

Looks awesome! I can see what ya mean in the corners, being a little bit rounder. Perhaps it will settle in with normale heat & sun? Very good looking job. You should be very happy looks New! Joe

[gow589]

Perhaps it will settle in with normale heat & sun?

That's a good point. It makes it apparent that the next step is probably carpet!

[mdkingsley]

That looks GREAT!!! I have one out of my other 76 442 I would like done but that will have to be much later at that price, but for a new dash probably not unreasonable.

[73hurst]

I've been considering having my dash done by them. I tried contacting them first to see if they would do a '73 dash, and second what the rate was. I never go an answer from them though. I figured it would be $800 to $1,000. I have a spare '73 dash, but it's in the same condition as the one in the car. Both are warping around the speaker grilles, and bottom below the glove box area.
Regarding the sticky appearance, it is correct, that it is the result of the of the solvents leaching out of the vinyl. One way to counter act that is to soak the dash with baby oil (a lot of baby oil). The baby oil puts back the plastic/vinyl solvents, and helps to keep the dash soft and pliable. Vinyl dressings such as Armor All may make the dash look great in the short term, but actually promote the leaching of the solvents from the vinyl in the long term.

[Andy 73]

Wow it really looks nice. you actually put a thousand wires back in place and it works. Andy

[gow589]

The surface was actually painted with something which did not go over well. The sticky was paint and what ever it was binding with.

I had a separate dash too. I called them and asked them if it would cost any different to do the better or worse dash. He said it was the same but would prefer the better dash. I said, sorry, I will send the worse dash in case I can re-sell the better dash. The total cost was about $1350 and was about 7 weeks.

Putting the dash back together was not as bad as I thought. Most the wires have individual plugs and you can't really get them messed up too bad.

An extra dash was real handy to look at the back side while you pull it out or put it back together to see how things go.



I've been considering having my dash done by them. I tried contacting them first to see if they would do a '73 dash, and second what the rate was. I never go an answer from them though. I figured it would be $800 to $1,000. I have a spare '73 dash, but it's in the same condition as the one in the car. Both are warping around the speaker grilles, and bottom below the glove box area.
Regarding the sticky appearance, it is correct, that it is the result of the of the solvents leaching out of the vinyl. One way to counter act that is to soak the dash with baby oil (a lot of baby oil). The baby oil puts back the plastic/vinyl solvents, and helps to keep the dash soft and pliable. Vinyl dressings such as Armor All may make the dash look great in the short term, but actually promote the leaching of the solvents from the vinyl in the long term.