Dashboard

[HersheyLoc]

Does anyone know where I could fine some usefule info on carpetting my dashboard? I have a rough idea on how to do it myself, but when it comes to those really tricky grooves in the panels, I'm still a lil sketchy, and I dont want to start without knowing EXACTLY how to do it.

It's either carpetting the dash, or fiberglass...but again, Im not sure exactly how fiberglass is done...so if anyone wants to give me some tips on that, post a reply. Thanx. PZ

[super_tuner403]

carpeting wouldbe one of the easyist to do. depending on the material u use all curves can be done by using a heat gun and slowy pull it over. u must use a very good sprayable glue. i suggest the 3M glue.

[77firebird]

you can learn alot about fiber glass from this website http://www.alpine-usa.com/html/D2_n_1_n_n.html

[eckoman_pdx]

If you decide the carpeting route, make sure the glue use use has a high heat resistence. Do some research and find out to what temperature the glue is rated to. If you go 3m in a spray can (I am assuming you don't have access to a glue pot), don't get Super 77, it will peal up and won't hold. 8090 is pretty decent, although Hi-Strenght 90 has a stronger hold and a better heat resistence (though I don't know by how much). If you can access a compressor and spray gun, Landeu top glue generally has a VERY high heat resistence. It is flamable unitl it dries, so just make sure it's nice and dry etc before you go igniting a spark around it (not sure why you would do that), etc. However, I know of Landeu glue that has a rating of above 225 degree's. If you don't can't get that, it fine. 3m Hi-Strength 90 or 8090 will work (I'd pay the extra for the High Strenght 90). There are some other good upholster glues out there also, but you'll have to call around and do research to find the temp rating, etc. I know many uplostery shops that use glue other than 3m, but they did their homework to find out what was what, etc. I hope this helps a bit.

[JoJoRunyan]

Im thinking of putting suade on my front and back dashboards and of the roof of my car and maybe other spots too. So what exactly do I do? Can i just buy the suade and get it out to what i need, Then do I just spray glue on it and put the suade over where i want it? Thanks!

[eckoman_pdx]

Originally Posted by JoJoRunyan

Im thinking of putting suade on my front and back dashboards and of the roof of my car and maybe other spots too. So what exactly do I do? Can i just buy the suade and get it out to what i need, Then do I just spray glue on it and put the suade over where i want it? Thanks!

Okay, I could answer this right now, but....I am too tired to think and explain it...havn't hardly slpet in a 2 days, someone tired to jack my rims friday night and some old jerk hit my fender and my wheel when my car was parked at mcdonalds, so my mind is elsewhere...I'll taske a stab at it anyway, though I don't know how much snese I'll make...

Okay, buy the material, Ultrasuede is a good material, it's also know as NovaSuede and Alacantara. First, buy the proper amount of material. Second, remove the parts to me wrapped. CLEAN them very well!!!! If's you've every used ameror all, the really clean it, several times. An Automagic product called Special Cleaner Concertrate usually cleans that up pretty well. Run it not less dilluate than 9:1. if it's a little strong, no biggie, it'll clean better and be more harsh, but your re-wraping, so it's all good. Also, as dumb as this sounds, a mixed to TIDE and water in a bucket (use a fiar amount of tide) will work. Use a fair amount of tide and mix it with water, srcub the crap out of it and rinse. If you don't clean it well, stuff won't alaway stick, epsically if you've used armor all. Now, after the cleaing is done, get some good contact cement. Landue top glue has a very high heat resistence. Try and find out the heat resistence from the manufactorer, I know of regular contact cement (shot out of a glue pot) that hold up to 180 degrees, and some landue top glue that hold to 225. Now, landue glue is stronger, but it's flamable until it's dried, so take care until then. Spray both surfance you are wrapping and the backside of the fabric (don't overspray the fabric, you don't want it to bleed through. You want to let the glue get tacky, so leit sit for a bit to tack, then carefully wrap the fabric over the dash, etc. Keep it tight and smooth, and make sure to press down so all the material is attaches to the dash. Use a tuck tool to get the suede into tight seems, corners, etc. Try to contact the upholstery wholesalers and suppliers in the area for fabrics or tools if you need it. Around here they are Hoch and Shleby, Prefect-Fit McDonald, and SMS Auto Fabric. I don't know who's around there, but try and look it up in the phone book.

This isn't a great tutorial, but I hope it helps a bit.

[HondaOz]

I have an Acura Legend, its pretty beat up, but I decided I was gonna put some love into it, but I'm kinda lost where to start, so here is a list, plz help me.

How to paint dashboard?
How to install racing seats? is 88 after all
Can I install any new kind of gauges for it?
Changing interior carpet?
How to remove stains from carpets or seats?
What are the best products for cleaning?

Check my page out, Thanks a lot

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/569777

[eckoman_pdx]

Originally Posted by HondaOz

I have an Acura Legend, its pretty beat up, but I decided I was gonna put some love into it, but I'm kinda lost where to start, so here is a list, plz help me.

How to paint dashboard?
How to install racing seats? is 88 after all
Can I install any new kind of gauges for it?
Changing interior carpet?
How to remove stains from carpets or seats?
What are the best products for cleaning?

Check my page out, Thanks a lot

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/569777

The easiest way to re-do the carpeting is to get a good qaulity molded carpet kit. Auto Custom Carpets makes a varitey, and should make kits for you're car. They also have many different colors to choose from. This is basically a pre-molded carpet kit molded to fit into your car. Install can be a pain if you've never done it, you may get frusterated...but you should be able to do it. Remove seats, etc...everything else that need to come out to remove the carpet. Then remove old carpet, install the new carpet...make sure it lines up. You may have to cut holes in it for the shifter, etc...you can use contact cemeent to help hold it done. This is not a very iun depth how to, but it gives you an idea....if you've never done it before...expect maybe a few days. A experinced person can knock it out in a few hours.

A much harder way to re-do carpet is to do what is a called "cut and sew" carpeting in the car. It looks very nice, but if you are doing this yourself....don't try that as your first project.

Of can always install new gauges...the easiest gauge trick to do it "indiglo" or reverse indiglo gauges, if they make them for your car. These basically go right over your stock gauges. If you can't get these, you show be able to install whatever autometer, stewert warner, etc gauges you like (tach, oil pressure, water temp, etc). They are baiscally add in performance gauges. There are many different types, and many different color skeems (carbon fiber look, blue indiglo, green indiglo, etc).

You can removing stains from carpets and seats can be with a brush and some towels. Use a good cleaning product like Automagic's Special Cleaner Concentrate. Rhino is a good carpet cleaning product. You can use these to spray on the seats and carpets, scrub them, and wipe them off. You can repeat if you need to. If the stains are very stubron...you can try wetting a towel with lacquer thinner and wiping the stain spot. If this don't lift it or lighten it, chances are it is get in. Red stains are notorious for setting in and not lifting...it has to do with the dye used.

As I said above, Special Cleaner Concetrate and Rhino are good products to clean interiors with. You can use the Special cleaner on anything, carpets, vinyl, seats, etc...just dilute it to the disired dilution. Rhino is a carpet cleaner, and a good one. Pour in in the spray bottle and spray it on the carpet. Scub it with a brush and then wipe it down with a towel, etc. Remember to vacuum the interior before you clean it with a cleaner.

I hope this helps you a bit.

[HondaOz]

You have no idea how much it does, good looking out man, i really appreciate ur help, I'm glad someone finally answered my question lol. My screen name is bigballinon, send me an IM sometime and we can talk more, thanks again.

[eckoman_pdx]

Originally Posted by HondaOz

You have no idea how much it does, good looking out man, i really appreciate ur help, I'm glad someone finally answered my question lol. My screen name is bigballinon, send me an IM sometime and we can talk more, thanks again.

Is that your AIM screen name, or somthing else like yahoo or a 2nd af name, lol....anyways...I'm glad I could help you, I'm always glad to help...

[HondaOz]

yeah thats my screen name, on aol instante messenger. if u want my yahoo instant message name, it is eastsideozzy

[HondaOz]

AOL is bigballinoz
Yahoo is Eastsideozzy, sorry bout the confusion

[eckoman_pdx]

Originally Posted by HondaOz

AOL is bigballinoz
Yahoo is Eastsideozzy, sorry bout the confusion

It's all good, thanks.

[HondaOz]

one more question, i want to repaint my plastic pieces in the dashboard, what steps should i follow, i hear that u should sand them first, then clean them, then wash them, then dry, prime coat, color coat, clear coat, then install, is that right?

[eckoman_pdx]

Originally Posted by HondaOz

one more question, i want to repaint my plastic pieces in the dashboard, what steps should i follow, i hear that u should sand them first, then clean them, then wash them, then dry, prime coat, color coat, clear coat, then install, is that right?

That sounds correct. You need clean them very well, especially if you use armor all of any other "dash protectant" type product. I'd clean first, then sand, then clean again. You can try to use a "plastic prep" product to clean them, dupont makes a good one. Auto magic's special cleaner concertrate is a good prep-cleaner also. The Dupont plastic prep can be bought at an automotive paint supply store. Remember to use THIN coats when spraying too.