3 dash options

[88k5blazin]

I have three options to pursue for redoing my dash. I finally found a stock dash in mint condition. Only problem is that its blue. I want black. Is there any way to dye it or recolor it that will handle being cleaned and not look like crap. Second option is the diy metal dash I just saw recently. Anyone have experience with this dash. Looks pretty narly. Last is I've always been a fan of a flat dash. I have an 88 k5 and was wondering of anyone ever converted it to a flat dash. Any opinions on if u would think it would look cool. Fishing around for everyonez opinion or past experiences

 

[munepit]

Get the stock dash and spray it with SEM paint. Check it out. It works great. I redid all of my interior pieces with it. Works great.

 

[88k5blazin]

Get the stock dash and spray it with SEM paint. Check it out. It works great. I redid all of my interior pieces with it. Works great.

Which type of spray did u use? The bumper and trim aerosol spray?

 

[Diesel Driver]

i beleive hes talkin about the color coat.. ive used it with awesome results: http://semproducts.com/Catalog.asp?prod=190


http://semproducts.com/images/Users/Chip Cards/color coat chip card-2009.pdf


Color chip chart ^^^

 

[munepit]

I forget right now. I could post a pic later. Here is a link to what I think it is. http://semproducts.com/Catalog.asp?prod=190.

Im sure somebody else will know what to use. Im at work right now and dont have acsess to my paint I used. I got it from a local fabric/upholstery store.

 

[munepit]

Damm, beat me to it!!

 

[scottsdale86]

The key to SEM Color Coat is proper cleaning. You have to de-grease EVERYTHING and when you think its done do it again. I use Simple green in a 1:1 ratio ffirst then rinse with a 1:10 ratio then regular water. Then I apply alcohol and follow that with SEM's prep and then LIGHT mist coats of the Color Coat. Several of those and its like it came that way from the factory. I usually let it dry 48 hours then assemble it.

 

[88k5blazin]

Will it be as durable and resistant to muand cleaning like the factory form would be. Im just afraid ill spray it and it will fade and get ruined while cleaning it. If it holds up though I may get the dash pad just to have it even if I don't use it

 

[ryoken]

yup, color coat.. don't get any better on the dashes.... looks as good, or better than real vinyl dye thru a gun..

it's not quite as durable on heavy wear items...

personally, i'm not a huge fan of flat dashes, other than in buggies.. I purposely avoided it in my rig and am so glad i've maintained my dashpad... so much more personality...

 

[88k5blazin]

yup, color coat.. don't get any better on the dashes.... looks as good, or better than real vinyl dye thru a gun..

it's not quite as durable on heavy wear items...

personally, i'm not a huge fan of flat dashes, other than in buggies.. I purposely avoided it in my rig and am so glad i've maintained my dashpad... so much more personality...

I hear ya. I always liked both. Anyone has any experiences with the diy dash. Im interested to see what people think about it

 

[ryoken]

the only one of kerts i know has been installed other than kert's, was Ben's.. which now has been sold to Wes iirc...


apparently he's sold some... whether that's 4, a dozen or 50, i dont know..

 

[scottsdale86]

If prepped and applied as I described it will hold up well. You CAn scratch it but it wont be really easy.

 

[88k5blazin]

If prepped and applied as I described it will hold up well. You CAn scratch it but it wont be really easy.

Sounds pretty durable. That may be my best bet

 

[scottsdale86]

I have did literally dozens of these dash pads with SEM and I never had one come back for non-adhesion if I prepped it right. It worked wonders on faded areas of carpets too. Like the rear window trey or carpet dash pad covers. You spray it off with a air nozzle then hit the carpet with the SEM and rub it in with a brush or sponge. 2-3 applications and the carpet is back to looking like new.

 

[shaun89]

i would say either find a black dash or get the DIY one,but im not sure how the DIY one will work with stock gauges if u have them...btw,is that ur blazer in ur avatar? looks sketchy tall

 

[ryoken]

Kert's is set up for full on custom gauges, just the flat panel config to the left... can't imagine why anyone would wanna stay with the stock style, etc with such an aftermarket looking dash tho...

the only time ya gotta watch the color coat is like kick panels, door panels, etc, i have seen it wear off in those scenarios... hot soapy wash with a scuff pad, rinse, dry, damp/dry towel with denatured, and you'll never have a "oops, musta been armor all!" type moment..

 

[blazinzuk]

I have seen Kerts dash (in Kerts rig) if I wasn't so freaking determined to build my own (I am also cheap being of Scottish decent) I would use his. Though I would modify it somewhat to suit my needs but Kerts dash is really a nice piece

 

[88k5blazin]

i would say either find a black dash or get the DIY one,but im not sure how the DIY one will work with stock gauges if u have them...btw,is that ur blazer in ur avatar? looks sketchy tall

Yep that's my baby. She's a big ole mud tuck. They have legalized urban wheelin let so all I got decently close to me are big mud holes. She drives pretty well down the highway with 40 inch boggers

 

[pblaze725]

Custom Dash

I Made my dash from a piece of sheetmetal I got from work.

first I made a template



I laid the template flat & traced it onto sheetmetal

I folded the metal to fit. And reused all the factory accessarys

I painted it with TRUCKBEDLINER in a rattle can. I thought it was too smooth, I didn't want a glare to blind me. I then brushed on the same product out of a paint can that was thicker.
I have seen on TV where a guy painted his dash with the TRUCKBEDLINER rattle can but followed it with HAMMERTONE. It looked pretty kool but too pretty for my application.

 

[88k5blazin]

Very nice looking