Dilberto

Weissach,

It is ingenious Porsche advocates like you- who make ownership of a Porsche really worth it. For over a year- I have vacillated between getting a used, good condition dash for $500 or a new one for
$1300. The pockets are deep- but my arms are too short, when it comes to scooping $$$$ for this restoration piece. I will roll the dice, and see where your advice takes me.

The next big question is SOURCING. Where and who can I call to obtain SEM products? I also hear all Mopar interior color codes are the exact ones Porsche uses. Is this true? Because the other big, unmotivating element of the dash replacement task is locating the appropriate interior color. In 1986- Porsche produced two types of the 944 interior in Burgundy: a) Maroon Burgundy- a deep, garnet red shade. b)Wine Burgundy- Almost purple in color. What is the durability of the product and processes you employ? 10-20years?

Zach

2V4V

Weissach,

Sounds very interesting. How's the glare factor compared to leather/non-leather from the factory?

Greg

Gregg K

Zach,
Here's what I came up with doing a Google-

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&i...=Google+Search

Now, I just need to find out the details of how to match the black dash color. And I plan on only using it to fill the cracks. It should work for doing that. I've been using E6000, which is one of the best things ever invented. But it's not the right thing.

Weissach

The glare is the same as any factory dash. But if you put Armorall, then it's bad...same as a factory dash. Here is a good link with a few colors. If your dash is black, then (15013 Landau Black) is a nice match. http://vinylpro.safeshopper.com/29/cat29.htm?652

Dick Ruddell

Don't you think the lack of defroster vents will cause problems in the future?

Geo

A possible option to the textured paint is to flock the dash. This is what I'm going to do with my 944 race car dash. I would have it done already, but my local woodworking supply house does not carry the product in stock, so I'll have to order it.

For filler I created my own (I hadn't see this thread yet). I used Elmer's white glue with some find styrofoam sanding dust (the styrofoam floorists use). The white glue should be somewhat resilient while the foam will give it some body and strength. It's a bit of a pain and took some trial and error to get the right consistency. It sands OK. I don't know how well it will hold up to heat yet though. I've sanded and filled my dash already and just have to wait for the flocking to come in. I cut my dash length-wise to install it with my dash bar through the dash itself. The front portion is a little wavy still, but since it's a race car and I didn't care that much, I didn't sand it down as much as I would a road car dash.

For those who don't know what flocking is, it's the little "mouse fur" you find in a lot of jewelry boxes. It's applied useing a special applicator that blows it over the surface. Hopefully it will look somewhat like some of the Ferrari dashes and have no glare.

I'll post photos when I get it done.

2V4V

George,

Interesting idea as well. Always curious as to the various results folks are getting. I have a spare dash for a core, and have pretty much decided on Alcantara Suede - similar texture/reflectivity to the flocking (which is to say almost none).

Heavy leather or heavy Alcantra (has a thickish backing) have a similar price point - but Alcantara doesn't shrink (or reflect) like the leather.

Greg

Ron_H

Geo:

For years I have wanted to explore the Ferrari fuzzy dash finish. Cuts reflection and must help to dissapate heat by the fibrous surface. I am very interested to hear and see your results. I particularly like it for the pod if not the whole dash because that is where the reflections do the most harm. I am about to refinish my pod and will await your results. Sounds like a do-able method. I have played with flocked coverings but couldn't figure out how to get them to stretch enough to conform to the contours of the dash/pod.

autochicago

An observation that may yeild some insight. The way Porsche applied the beautiful fuzzy coating to the inside of the 928 glovebox (also seen in various compartments in newer model vehicles) ... Noticed that whatever process they used dribbles the flock & substrate through orifices into the unfinished areas. Took some pictures of my glovebox showing the factory dribbles. Geez, not often we get to document factory dribbles.

Inside vs. outside:

Steve J.

The person that made it probably thought, "Nobody will ever see this".

heinrich

Strip and cover in leather

Tom Carson

anyone use these people:??

http://www.autoupholsterykits.com/dashpad.html

Ron_H

Tom:

That looks interesting at least. I would certainly like to see one of their finished products. The price is reasonable. I paid $1200 for a factory NOS dash for my '86.5, and felt lucky to get it. I also wasted mucho dinero on a JustDashes disaster. $700 for a refinished dash in 3 weeks sounds good.

heinrich

Ron ... your story sounds like a mirror of my story. Ended up with NOS Factory leather dash, pod, console thanks to Mark Anderson's careful assistance.

Ron_H

Heinrich:

Yup! Painful process but now I know. I plan to buy a dash cover or one of those crummy "carpet" covers to avoid cracks in this pod/dash. I am trying to find the thinnest cover and add a layer of insulation under it similar to that non-slip spongy stuff used in RVs to keep things from sliding off of the counters. That would keep the cover off of the surface of the dash. Just haven't found the right material yet. My '84 Rabbit has a carpet type dash cover and the dash
under it is almost perfect. Alcantara seems like a good choice on the pod to cut reflection. I will need to dye it to match the interior.

Susan at Devek has been helpful resolving the dispute with JustDashes and locating a "new" dash.