Feeler: rewrapped dashes

[Mike in Seattle]

I would prefer leather, but I would not be opposed to vinyl if it looked good.

[billhpeloton]

I'd be very interested in an E28 dash, probably in vinyl.

Bill

[dude8383]

Interested. I have a cracked dash and an uncracked one but would love a more durable material.

In for cost and updates!

[unt0uchable]

In for cost and updates!

x2. Keep us posted.

[1st 5er]

I'm subscribed and interested in vinyl, depending on final product look.

This would produce two problems for me though...
#1 - what to do with my crack free dash that sets in the garage?
#2 - what happens to the dash mats currently in the cars?

Thanks Aneese for taking on this challenge.

[BimmerDan]

If this doesn't work out maybe we should see if justdashes.com would work a deal with a group buy. There seems to be a few of us who would like a new dash.

But I'm hoping this works out

[grey ghost]

I spoke with the guy today. He is extremely busy and hasn't quite finished it yet, not to mention he will be moving his shop very soon. I told him not to rush, because everything depends on the quality, and the stitching....... I've seen his work and he has covered a few sports seats for me, but a BMW dash is a different animal. So thanks for the interest and patience, I too can't wait to see how it turns out.

[Burnze]

I spoke with the guy today. He is extremely busy and hasn't quite finished it yet, not to mention he will be moving his shop very soon. I told him not to rush, because everything depends on the quality, and the stitching....... I've seen his work and he has covered a few sports seats for me, but a BMW dash is a different animal. So thanks for the interest and patience, I too can't wait to see how it turns out.

[Post resurrection]

Did this ever go anywhere?

[grey ghost]

One guy couldn't spend the time trying to figure it out and the other just took too long and never even started. That alone told me he wasn't reliable.

[Burnze]

One guy couldn't spend the time trying to figure it out and the other just took too long and never even started. That alone told me he wasn't reliable.

That's a bummer. There was a lot of interest.

[Mr_Squishy]

Agree it is a bummer.
My E28 dash is OK. Just a few cracks, but it could use some love.
I own two E24 dashes that are both fugly. My installed unit wears a rug...

I was thinking about Dashboard Restorations in Vancouver, WA. as some E24 folks (maybe Bert) had expressed satisfaction. Pricing was around $1200 or so. Now Dashboard Restorations seems to have gone poof and the site takes you to Just Dashes. A few forums have folks complaining about Just Dashes. I take that with a grain of salt as some complainers sounded like they expected a new dash for $500. But, I swear one guy was talking $2K. That is insane unless the car is show quality or collectible.

Anyone had any luck at some "reasonable" price? I really like leather, but do not think it is practical in Florida. I'd rather either get one hand wrapped in vinyl or get a rebuild like Dashboard Restorations.

[unt0uchable]

Aw damn! I hate when I do that...

That is, read an entire thread and not pay one lick of attention to WHEN the posts were made.

Bummer that this fell through! Seemed there was a lot of interest....

I did drive passed an automotive upholstery shop the other day....hmmm..

[Burnze]

Aw damn! I hate when I do that...

That is, read an entire thread and not pay one lick of attention to WHEN the posts were made.

Bummer that this fell through! Seemed there was a lot of interest....

I did drive passed an automotive upholstery shop the other day....hmmm..

I'd jump on this in a heart-beat and I'm sure 20 others would follow. Hopefully someone with a trustworthy upholsterer hook-up is reading this...

[grey ghost]

I will revisit and see what I can do.

[tig]

For me, it's all in the quality of the stitching. I'd rather have cracks than stitching that looks like I did it. This is why I've been reluctant to pull the trigger on either buying a wrapped dash from someone else.

So when you post pics, please post tons of pics of the stitching, particularly that around the center console part.

[TurboChris]

Not something you want to trust to just any old shop you drive by....some way more knowledgeable than I have attempted this and failed. Not only is the quality of the job important.... but that it will LAST. The last thing you want is a bunch of pissed off bimmer owners who a year later are experiencing dashes that are lifting or otherwise coming apart or failing.

Personally I think someone might want to investigate someone like just dashes and see what kind of a group buy price we'd get if, oh say....10-20 of us were to get in on it.

[Bimmerguy2002]

groups buys never work































*runs away*

[ClassicEuroParts]

Not trying to steal your topic or anything, but i think i could help some of my fellow e28 mates. I do flocking restoration on dashes and do have 1 already ready to show and sell. I ship from Europe and the total cost for the dash shipped to your door would be only 400 usd.





More pictures and the listing on ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/331289933957

[1st 5er]

^^^ that looks nice. Is there a non-suede texture finish available?

[ClassicEuroParts]

^^^ that looks nice. Is there a non-suede texture finish available?

Thanks!
Well, them being refurbished by flocking them - there will be the suede texture as the technique is supposed to do that. It is pretty much the only other way then recovering it which is very hard for even a professional and very expensive.

[bkbimmer]

It would be nice to not look at these cracks anymore.

[darksideracer69]

I have a flocked dash in my car that i got from Ivo. Ended up cracking about 10 days after install, really sucks as it looks very nice. Plus i got all the upper door trims, really brings it together. Hopefully i'll be able to find a remedy for the crack.

[ClassicEuroParts]

I have a flocked dash in my car that i got from Ivo. Ended up cracking about 10 days after install, really sucks as it looks very nice. Plus i got all the upper door trims, really brings it together. Hopefully i'll be able to find a remedy for the crack.

Thats a bummer.. Well, the one that i made has been sitting for multiple months and still is like new. Before flocking the cracks were engraved deeper for more friction and then filled with a special epoxy glue and then epoxy filled. Works great.

[demetk]

Well, the one that i made has been sitting for multiple months and still is like new. Before flocking the cracks were engraved deeper for more friction and then filled with a special epoxy glue and then epoxy filled. Works great.

Are you adding an electrostatic charge to the dash after the glue and before applying the flock and are you using short haired flock material?

[darksideracer69]

I have a flocked dash in my car that i got from Ivo. Ended up cracking about 10 days after install, really sucks as it looks very nice. Plus i got all the upper door trims, really brings it together. Hopefully i'll be able to find a remedy for the crack.

Thats a bummer.. Well, the one that i made has been sitting for multiple months and still is like new. Before flocking the cracks were engraved deeper for more friction and then filled with a special epoxy glue and then epoxy filled. Works great.

I think this one would have sat fine also, but the temperature changes in the the car might have made the crack occur. Who knows, i had it sitting for a couple days in my garage. I have working ac and i always put my windshield screen on when i park outside. Who knows.

[Mr_Squishy]

The nasty but unavoidable problem with these dashboards is that they are attached to the car.
I believe it is the restraint during temperature changes and gradients that cracks them.
A repair that works in my garage will likely not work if restrained at the same temperatures.
The defrost vent is also a nice feature to add to the winter gradient.

John