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Dash / column (black) suede paint

Twalker

Twalker

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Hi guys, looking for the latest info on what people are using / doing for their dashes and columns. I am building a 68 charger. When I built my cuda years ago I was able to buy and use PPG black suede lacquer paint and it was perfect; that paint doesn’t seem to be available any longer however.

So, what are people doing these days to recreate that textured finish on the dash and column surfaces? (Referring to the metal surfaces - I have SEM black landau for the plastic pieces)

Thanks for your thoughts

Tom
 
It is still available from Instrument Specialties. I tried the textured/hammered paint by Krylon first and then tried to dry shoot satin before giving up and paying the piper.

8236150D-4CAD-4786-8EB9-9D2874A1F6AA.jpeg
 
Last edited:
If its black then Rustoleum "textured" finish available at Walmart is bang on. BUT if you try to cover the area with just that it will be too coarse so ideally you want to shoot it first with flat black then "dust" it with the textured till you get the desired results. Trim strip is bone stock, horn ring is the Rustoleum. This was applied for full coverage so its just a tad too coarse. This is when I discovered applying a flat coat first was the solution. The other problem is doing the large top area of the dash. You can't maintain an even wet coat with a spray bomb and end up with flat spots. Shooting a flat coat first then dusting or fogging the textured solves that issue.

DSCF4066 (2016_11_22 02_37_15 UTC).JPG DSCF4069 (2016_11_22 02_37_15 UTC).JPG DSCF4070 (2016_11_22 02_37_15 UTC).JPG
 
I had my 64 Polara dash powder coated and it came out great. Kinda spendy over rattle cans but thats what I had done.
 
Reviving this to add a few pics of a new black/silver leatherette powder I just shot for the first time.
FB_IMG_1608418016011.jpg

It's a really cool finish that does look and feel leathery, and on a once-in-a-lifetime project too, a famed Rocky Mountain Dash insert. (The glove box extension is getting here later after mods.)

FB_IMG_1608417995762.jpg


The gauge pods and heater control area were done in a metallic silver to match his sample and clear.
FB_IMG_1608418030275.jpg

I'm very happy with how it turned out.
 
Thanks for everyone’s responses.
Well I think I figured out my solution to the textured look for the dash and column without breaking my bank and ordering the $200USD PPG suede lacquer pint from instrument specialities. (+ shipping costs to me in canada and exchange for a grand total of $350!!) So if you’re looking for an affordable and great solution - here you go. I used the PPG suede on my cuda so I know what it was like, and it was a great finish no doubt - but I’m very happy with this result.

image.jpg
image.jpg
 
Years ago I shot mine with flattened lacquer that I shot in dry, light coats. Since the windshield was in I had to do the top of dash with an air brush and it went on a real dry and textured close to the glass where I couldn't get in tight. Can't wipe that area off with a microfiber towel as it traps fiber like lint. It's not perfect but came out looking very good.

upload_2020-12-29_17-1-45.png
 
Stanton said:
Sorry but ... that looks WAY more coarse than stock.
Click to expand...

here is the PPG suede on the column of my cuda; agree the SEM is more coarse. I think I can get it closer by increasing the distance of the nozzle from the surface.

2E85C9EA-EA85-4154-B99C-9CBDED20BF36.jpeg
 
Give it a black basecoat first then just a light mist of the textured.
 
Yes, what did you do to achieve that?

The real test is doing the top side of a dash with spray bombs. I think I shot it and stripped it three times before calling it quits. I'm still not happy with it. I'm thinking of cutting open spray bombs and pouring the mix into a gun with a bit more reducer to slow down the drying time. With a spray bomb you can't keep a wet edge and the result is dry patches.
 
Looks like there are many ways to skin this cat....and glad the OP is happy with his results! For those of you who are reading this and still need to refinish your dash, I highly recommend powder coating. I had mine blasted down to bare metal then coated with a UV resistant fine textured matte black, and it came out flawless! It looks near identical to the original factory appearance, and is practically bulletproof. Maybe I’m a lousy painter, but I can’t get a uniform, consistent, steak-free finish across something as big as a dash with spray bombs, and buying the original Ppg paint would have cost me almost double what powder coating cost...with me still having to do the work!
 
I did the top of my dash on the GTX with a detail gun and it was still difficult. I sprayed flattened lacquer dry to get a fine texture and I could not get in tight enough up by the windshield to keep it from getting too dry. Ended up with a bit heavier (but still fine) texture than I wanted. I think part of the trick for large surfaces it too spray light, fairly fast passes and avoid developing a wet finish. Let each light coat dry enough to tack down the loose, dry overspray and fog in another light pass. Keep repeating until coverage builds up to suit you. The dry passes develop the suede effect texture.
 
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