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Post by curtisc on Feb 24, 2008 20:58:43 GMT -5
Hey all. I'm working on the interior of my car and need alot of new stuff. One thing I'm wondering about is of course the dashpad. Mine is currently very cracked and there's a few questions i have. Here's a pic Now instead of tan I'm going with a black interior. I was wondering how those dash covers look. They're alot cheaper than a whole new pad, but if they look cheap or noticeable i'm more than willing to shell out 4-500 dollars for a repo or great conditioned used one. I can't really find any pics of people who've used them, just the ones on the sites that sell them, and you can of course never trust them. Thanks for your help!
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Post by Jer on Feb 24, 2008 21:18:25 GMT -5
I'm sending my passenger "woodgrain" bezel with the ChargerSE emblem AND the vent assemblies to Performance Car Graphics. I have a thread here wichargerguy.proboards101.com/index.cgi?board=shopping2&action=display&thread=876&page=1with pics of my dash and PCG's comments on it, along with THEIR recommendation for Just Dashes to do the dash pad work (Just Dashes is in Van Nuys, in the Los Angeles area, and charges about 650 dollars for the restoration with a 6 week turnaround time). I just recently stopped by Just Dashes and toured their facility... the whole place AND the process is amazing!! I have only heard good things about their finished product, and the only negative input is limited to the time involved and the high cost. For my own part, I don't mind a wait NOR do I mind paying a higher price for something that is good quality work. I know I've read many many negative reports on doing the dash pad COVER thing, ranging from inferior fit, to wobbly fiberglass frames to having to use clamps and weights to get them to initially fit properly....but the cost IS considerably less. When you navigate over to my previously listed thread link, notice the part where PCG says their dash was almost as bad as mine, and they (PCG) now use the Just Dashes-restored piece as their display piece.
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Post by curtisc on Feb 24, 2008 23:05:26 GMT -5
Hmm.. interesting.
I don't mind waiting or paying extra for high quality work either...and for wait, I don't expect it to be done any time soon either way so that's not a huge problem either.
From my understanding would i send them the entire dash minus the wood grain/cluster, the whole thing or just the pad?
This seems like it could definitely be a good option. However I am in Canada, but in BC so not incredibly far from LA that i could ship it with huge expense.
I'll email them and ask them about it. I'm on there site now and reading up on their process and it is great. I'm sure they could also dye it black for me too instead of the original colour.
Thanks alot for this information, Jer.
I'll still have to think about it because it may be easier to buy a reproduction pad instead, but I'll most definitely look into this more.
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Post by Jer on Feb 24, 2008 23:15:47 GMT -5
Hmm.. interesting. I don't mind waiting or paying extra for high quality work either...and for wait, I don't expect it to be done any time soon either way so that's not a huge problem either. From my understanding would i send them the entire dash minus the wood grain/cluster, the whole thing or just the pad? This seems like it could definitely be a good option. However I am in Canada, but in BC so not incredibly far from LA that i could ship it with huge expense. I'll email them and ask them about it. I'm on there site now and reading up on their process and it is great. I'm sure they could also dye it black for me too instead of the original colour. Thanks alot for this information, Jer. I'll still have to think about it because it may be easier to buy a reproduction pad instead, but I'll most definitely look into this more. Use the contact info to call them, they will answer all your questions... Also, Curtis, you're in luck, because the process turns them out in black....they dye them for other requested colors!! When I was on the tour, I learned a lot about the different type of foam used now that wasn't available 35 years ago...when they get done with yours, it will probably outlast you with a little care (vinyl conditioners, window sunshade on hot days, etc.). Good luck with it, I'll post pics of mine when I get it back. ~Jer~
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Post by Jer on Feb 24, 2008 23:18:55 GMT -5
Ooops...sorry... The reason I am sending my insert elsewhere has to do with the research I did on who does the best renowned work on the "woodgrain" and emblem restoration.
It's entirely a personal choice of mine....I don't have any info on how well Just Dashes performs these...or even IF they do...I didn't ask about it when I was down there, I was focusing on the dash pad replacement process.
As I say, it's just a personal choice based on my research and my satisfaction with the person I talked to, their turnaround time, AND their reputation.
Jer.
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Post by Nacho-RT74 on Feb 25, 2008 9:23:24 GMT -5
there is a group buy actually on DC.com from another rebuilt shop: www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php?topic=38716.0www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,25524.0.html Beside that somebody told or I did read ( maybe the same seller at his ebay offer ) Justdashes just recover the dashes with new vinyl OVER the old one, making the job to repair the cracks and being unnoticeable. Dunno if really is on that way. Tha fact is that this new rebuilding shop is offering the right color vinyl if available, instead dye the black ones. BTW I WOULDN'T EVER GO WITH THE NEW REPRO PIECES!!!! is waste your money. Dunno remember who, but somebody already got from Paddock and had to return it!!! Preffer spend the right price for the good part! is just around $150 more... yeah I know $150 is not a small diff, but it is if you get the nice job!
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DynoDave
CO-ADMINISTRATOR
Motown Mopar-Wizard
Posts: 11,169
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Post by DynoDave on Feb 25, 2008 12:34:28 GMT -5
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Post by Nacho-RT74 on Feb 25, 2008 12:43:16 GMT -5
yep, is the same
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Post by Jer on Feb 25, 2008 20:05:28 GMT -5
Beside that somebody told or I did read ( maybe the same seller at his ebay offer ) Justdashes just recover the dashes with new vinyl OVER the old one, making the job to repair the cracks and being unnoticeable. Dunno if really is on that way. Hey Guys! #WaveHi# If someone is claiming that Just Dashes doesn't remove the old vinyl and that they just recover, they are setting themselves up for a lawsuit by Just Dashes!! I just toured their facility and process the other day!!The very first thing they do in the process (after inspecting it and quoting a price) is REMOVE THE OLD VINYL COVER and the OLD FOAM PADDING beneath it!! They replace it with new CLOSED CELL FOAM PADDING (our original stuff is open cell, and that's why it goes bad), by placing the pad in a model-specific mold, then they sand and trim the new stuff, then inspect it again for quality control. (I watched them do this!). The next step they did was spray an adhesive over the new foam shell, then they put it into a " thermovacuum forming machine" where the new vinyl cover is permanently adhered to the new foam.... (This is AFTER the technician writes his signature in permanent ink on the new foam!!)....that's in the event that there is a defect in the process, Just Dashes will know who to "come back on" for doing inferior work. The Tech I talked to said he never worries that his name is on it, because it's like autographing a fine piece of art, AND THE DASHES NEVER COME BACK!!....his very words!! (And each dash is assigned to ONE tech only, and his name is entered into the tracking database of YOUR dash!!) The final tucking and all the other finishing (then inspecting) is done by hand as well. If your preferred color is black...that's it...if it's another color, then it goes over to their painting section where it is dyed that color...and the supervisor told me that's how Chrysler did it 35 years ago....all vinyl was black to begin with (we're talking dashes here), then dyed the necessary factory color for the vehicle. So the next time someone tries to fill you with a lot of baloney about any shortcuts or horror stories concerning Just Dashes, you can straighten them out!! Believe me...these guys do great work...they do it right...and that's probably why they are not cheap!! Signed, Your Roving Reporter and Resident Myth-Buster:~Jer~
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Post by Nacho-RT74 on Feb 25, 2008 22:27:25 GMT -5
LOL... well that's why I was saying DUNNO anyway, quoting from ebay auction: cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1971-1974-GTX-ROADRUNNER-SATELLITE-CHARGER-DASH-PAD_W0QQitemZ160197538989QQihZ006QQcategoryZ34206QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemThese are the best dash pads on the market!! Unlike some mfg. who simply repair your pad and leave the old foam on, our pads are of new construction. This is for the 71/74 GTX / ROADRUNNER / SATELLITE (Dash is for either A/C or no A/C) in Black. (Color dash pads are an additional $100.00, in most cases the color is built into the material and not dyed.) There are no refunds on all custom made color dash pads. These pads are of awesome quality. Shipping freight is approx. $48.00-$57.00 depending on the location.A Solid core (metal part only is required to be sent by winning auction bidder. For now the time frame for shipping dash pad is approx 6 to 8 weeks.( This will shorten later) We manufacture most Muscle car dashes, please watch for auctions. Good Luck!!!Of course I was wrong and weren't talking about just dashes
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