71 Rr dash resto

[Lazarus]

Ok, so im in and endeavor to recover my dash. Have it all torn down, old vynil off and filled in and levelef off foam with New foam. I'm setting up heating oven and vacuum chamber this week hopefully. Im trying out a different type of vynil that will probably loose some fine definition vs standard because of thickness, but I believe this stuff will last forever and has a wonderful feel and a quality grain. Has anybody else here done this before that can offer some advise or potential pitfalls? Also, any ideas on the easiest and or best products to use for guage resto? Btw, this all got started because I wanted a white dash to match my white interior(I dont trust dies or like trying to match colors). Thanks!

 

[Photon440]

You're vacuum forming your own vinyl dash covering, just like 'JustDashes' would do it? I'm pretty sure I don't know anyone who's done that. Waiting here to see the finished results!

 

[bee71]

Best of luck to you!

 

[Lazarus]

Yes, I work with vynil at my job. I laminate windshields and side glass with vynil. So, I am pretty familiar with how vynil behave at different temperatures, pressures and under vacuum etc. Been contemplating making my own windows, but It would raise some eyebrows at work if i come walking in with some strange bending forms they have never seen and I would need a much hotter oven for that than I do for the vynil! Lol. I don't know though. I may do it if I think I could sells a few too. Anyone think the resto mod community would spend and extra 20 bucks per window for laminated/accoustic glass? I know people spend a lot moe than that to soundproof the floors etc. I don't think the added safety would be much of a sell, but the noise canceling effects of a modern high end car might spark some interest. Ttyl

 

[Lazarus]

Unfortunately however, that is about the only thing I know much about in this restoration. Lol. I'm going to be trying to update my dash wiring while its apart. Just the thought of that scares me. Lol anyone have any recommendations for backlighting the dash with LEDs etc? It would be nice if their was an led designed to plug into our existing sockets. If they were bright enough to do that anyway.