107 Dashboard Restoration

[tgolden]

My '84 280SL dashboard has the typical old age crack. There are a few companies that perform restorations. I'm considering sending the dash to one to have it recovered.

Some companies just fill the crack and recover with original vinyl. They don't remove the old covering.

I saw where Just Dashes, www.justdases.com, strips the old covering, installs better quality foam padding and then vacuum forms the new vinyl over the newly refoamed dash.

I've inquired about their ability to match the original material, but haven't heard back yet.

Has anyone used this service to have a 107 dash restored?

Regards

[C.Doner]

you can get them new for not much maybe $140 from an upholstery place. It is the install that is the tricky part, I believe.

[tgolden]

Originally Posted by C.Doner

you can get them new for not much maybe $140 from an upholstery place. It is the install that is the tricky part, I believe.

I'm not talking about a dash pad.

The dash has a foam/vinyl cover vacuum formed onto the metal frame.

Some companies offer to recover it original type vinyl, but they don't remove the old covering.

[C.Doner]

Dash Pads - Original Equipment - 107 Chassis - Blue : 1972-85
Part Number: 068-0720BL
New : $3,327.78 Online : $2,995.00
Item Description : 1972-85
Add To Cart

There is the price for a new OE one. Thats at least half the value of my car.

[zakkkk]

I see "dash skins" advertized for about 100 bucks that cover the old dash.
I have never seen one in place.
How do they look?

[nobby]

Originally Posted by zakkkk

I see "dash skins" advertized for about 100 bucks that cover the old dash.
I have never seen one in place.
How do they look?

I have seen some great ones............I have also seen some bad ones.

A lot of the "finished product" has to do with installation.

[CA-280SL]

Originally Posted by nobby

I have seen some great ones............I have also seen some bad ones.

A lot of the "finished product" has to do with installation.

I am visiting just dashes in van nuys, ca this coming friday 21 march 2014. I am taking a dash from a 1980 280sl with me to get a cost for recovering. Stay tuned for info.

There is a company called buds benz that also recovers dashes and i think they are in Georgia
Google budbenz and see what u find.

[zakkkk]

How did your visit to the dash guy turn out pls?
What did you decide?
I wish I could see a pix with the dash skins installed.
anyone do ?

[CA-280SL]

Originally Posted by zakkkk

I see "dash skins" advertized for about 100 bucks that cover the old dash.
I have never seen one in place.
How do they look?

Here is a lastic dash cap that I painted my car color and installed with velcro strips along the front windshield and also along the front

[meltedpanda]

I am with Stife on this one

I had a well fitted dash cap in my 72 ( Pearl) You would not have known unless you looked closely. Granted it was put in when the window was out as were most of the guts of the dash panel
I entered her in many competions ( high level) and never was questioned.
If done correctly they look fine
Many pictures of Pearl out there - take a look

[freshairfiend]

My 1985 280SL had a couple of small separations on the ends of the defogger outlets but was otherwise in pretty good shape. I had a guy come to the house with a coloring kit. He filled the gaps and than painted over the whole dash. At the same time he refinished the armrest - total cost $350.00 and I defy anyone to pick it out from original without a magnifying glass. Perhaps not perfect if you want a show finish but for everyday it works well.