Dash Cover/Mat Suggestions??

I'm not a big fan of carpet dash covers, but have them on the Denali because in typical 99-06 GM truck fashion the finish was starting to peel on the edges, and on our '98 Ram because like almost ALL 90's Rams, it's hard plastic dash is cracked in several places.

Well I now think I want one for the '96 Roady, but want the best-looking and closest-color-matched one possible.   Any suggestions???

Rich kept the car in a climate-controlled garage the past two years, and it never saw sun or rain, but I think the storage "dried out" the interior a bit, especially the upper dash.   He cared for the car, but never treated the leather or put anything on the dash.    It has no cracks in the dash, but it almost looked pink on the uppper dash when I got the car back last week.  

I tried Armour All wipes first...which looked good for almost two minutes, then Extra Shine Armour All in a bottle, spayed on and wiped off....which looked good for about 5-mins.     Next I tried some slimey oily stuff made by Purple Power that smells like old tires...the guy at the parts store reccomended it.    Told me to rub it on by hand, which I did, and was nasty...      It lasted almost all morning yesterday, but driving home after the cruise-in, the dash began to look splotchy again with the direct sun heating it up....dry and faded in some spots, shiny and dark ruby red in others.    

I put another coat of that Purple Power on it last night...thick this time, and let it sit all night.    Wiped it down before work to even it out some, but just now at lunch, after sitting in the cool garage all morning, it's splotchy again.   DANG!

I am not going to hand-rub clear slime on the upper dashboard daily...  The rest of the interior looks fantastic...     SO I'm thinking a dash cover....

Ideas?   Suggestions?

Such fun!

-Mike

I've run into two cracks on my dash cover as well. I was planning on simply laying up some fiberglass cloth from underneath, to stenghten the backing board from cracking further. Then recover it with as close to a match to the fabric in the car that I can find. I am lucky to have a commercial foam and upholstery place around the corner. They've been wonderful to supply info and materials to me over the years for many projects around the house, kitchen , dining room chairs and cars alike.

Be on the lookout for similar suppliers for patio furniture, boat seats, canvas, furniture and auto upholstering etc.. You might even strike it lucky with a big box fabric store, but I tend to work with the local family shops whenever I can.

Best of luck. Keep us posted on your findings.

dave

For now I just want good cover, like a Coverlay or Dashmat brand. Was hoping someone had one they really liked...that sits well.

-Mike

Dash cover you say?!?!?!

You are speaking my language!!!

Coverking makes the best fitting ones in my opinion. Now, for a Roady...you can get away with any brand really since the dash is flat. (Same with Fleetwood)

I would only buy a Coverking for a Caprice by the way (I've tried others and they suck).

Chris

Thanks Chris!!

81X11 wrote:

Thanks Chris!!

Mike, if you PM me your address....I will give you the one I had made for my RMW (it's for Ruby Red interior)

I went to a black cover since people were being vocal about the look...(see my avitar) LOL

Yours if you want it (it's a nice one)

Chris

I wouldn't use any of those products on your dash pad. I've been using Prestine clean from my Leatherique kit to maintain my perfect Olds dashpad, keeps it nice and shiny for a few weeks before the dash accumulates dust and I have to wipe it down again.

Of course I'm not a detailing expert but I'm sure the experts will chime in with a better suggestion.

brokecello wrote:

81X11 wrote:

Thanks Chris!!

Mike, if you PM me your address....I will give you the one I had made for my RMW (it's for Ruby Red interior)  

I went to a black cover since people were being vocal about the look...(see my avitar)  LOL

  Yours if you want it (it's a nice one)  

            Chris

THANK YOU CHRIS!

That's why I love this forum! Most wagon folks are pretty good folks anyway.

I'll owe you one for sure!

-Mike

MalibuSSwagon wrote:

I wouldn't use any of those products on your dash pad. I've been using Prestine clean from my Leatherique kit to maintain my perfect Olds dashpad, keeps it nice and shiny for a few weeks before the dash accumulates dust and I have to wipe it down again.

Of course I'm not a detailing expert but I'm sure the experts will chime in with a better suggestion.

I might try that, but for now I'll just cover it. It's Texas, and the dash has no cracks, so a cover is a good idea regardless.

I'm keeping this Roady FOREVER. Ha!

-Mike

FOREVER is a long time Mike and I hope I am around to see it!Almost as happy as you are about getting it back home finally.Congrats on the matching dash cover.I used Surf City garages "Voodoo"
leather rejuvenator on my dash and it works great.Really cleaned all the old junk off and left a nonreflective glaze with a fantastic rich leather aroma.Got it at Pep Boys I think and the only negative is the rich aroma in the bottle has turned nasty even after shaking it for about 10 minutes.

Thanks Jim. I'm really glad to have the car back.

For now I'm going to use the dash cover and stop worrying about it. Will treat it once more before installing the cover.

Projects!

-Mike

Dash Cover came in.   THANK YOU CHRIS!    It's a great color match and is laying down nicely after a day in the sun this weekend. This is such a great forum with such good people!

Was a CRAPPY weekend but this new item and Top Notch were the only two bright points.   Thank you again!

-Mike

BOOM! Swanky!

I love dash mats...and very glad you could use that one!

Chris

WHERE ARE THE PICS MIKE?

Flasheroo wrote:

WHERE ARE THE PICS MIKE?

It needs to settle a few more days....