Dash pad cap

I have one of those plastic dash pa caps, but I don't have the old dash pash. Can I install it without it? Also, I do have another comet with a cracked dash pad that could be a donor, but it's been sitting out in the rain.

 

you need the old dash pad as a backer for the cover...

 

Thanks dude

 

i always wanted to try to get a bad dash pad take all the vinyl off it get a plastic cap and put it on to look like new.

 

The dash cap is designed to do that with the original vinyl in place. It's molded with that in mind. If you remove the vinyl I don't believe it's going to fit as well not to mention the damage you will likely do to the foam when removing the vinyl. Just bond it over the vinyl if you really want it bonded although I don't recommend it. It's too easy to just slip it on or take it off as you want. Just my 2 cents worth. :Handshake

 

Are the ebay dash caps any good?? Are they obviously an overlay or do they look nice?? Do they fit perfectly???

 

Had mine for 7yrs, can't tell it from the original.

 

Same here as with Earl. There's only one company that makes them so it doesn't matter where you get it. I believe the company is Accuform. They've been making them for years. A group of us got together a while back and purchased a batch of them. I believe we got them for something like $39 each. I actually bought 10 of them and only have one extra one I am keeping for a future project. I've either used or sold the rest.
It would be cool if another group would get together and buy another batch. I think the minimum batch is 50 to get the great prices. You can buy directly from them.

 

I got three of them then. Two have warped from the heat here in Az. The third I only put on when going somewhere nice where it needs to be dressed up.

 

Don, the ones that warped, did you glue them down?

 

I have had mine for 6 years and it still looks new. I also did not use the adhesive that they give you with it. It does stay in place pretty well without it.

 

The one I HAD looked ok but would not stay on while driving. Didn't fit that well. I have seen others and could tell it was a cap cause I could see where there was a misalignment line looking into the windshield to the back leading edge of the cap. Better than a busted up pad though I guess..

 

I think the key is to not have any ridges or humps in the busted up pad..

 

I know this is an old thread - for those who have used the cap, is it necessary to fill any cracks or gapped cracks before installing the cap?

 

My opinion...no. but I think some have spray foamed the cracks then trim off the excess...