Dash Pad Restoration

[1978 NYB]

I have encountered this problem for a second time with the dash pad on my 78 NYB fading from blue to what looks like black dirt. I tried scrubbing it with a cleaner on the first dash pad and then discovered it was taking the color off and I believe all of the dash pads start out as being a tan color. Ok, I gave up on that first dash pad and lucked out and found a second dash pad that was in excellent condition. Now the 2nd dash pad is fading and looks like it's black dirt. Has anyone else had problems with Formal dash pads fading? What did you do to fix it? My interior color is PLB3 Blue. Is there some sort of fabric paint I can use to fix it?

 

[commando1]

Auto Color Library - We will match ANY Car Paint Color!

These guys matched my Burgundy interior perfectly.

 

[1978 NYB]

Thanks Stan!

I will call them today as soon as the left coast wakes up.

 

[1978 NYB]

Stan, they are saying it only comes in pints or quarts. Did you spray yours with a gun?

 

[Ross Wooldridge]

SEM Vinyl Coat products do an excellent job... I don't know if there's a direct colour match to your particular blue, but it should be very close. I've had fantastic success over the years - mind you I've only used their Landau Black colour, but from all reports others have similar success.

As in all things paint-wise, prep is key.

Color Coat™ Aerosols Products | SEM Products

Here are some colour chips showing the various hues:

vinyl repair SEM color coat aerosols, trim paint, bumper colors

 

[Big_John]

If you don't mind a different shade of blue, the SEM rattle cans work real well. I did a lot of mine in it and the only issues I've had is where they had been dyed by previous owners. You have to follow the prep to the letter.

Ha! Ross beat me to it as I was typing!

 

[saylor]

hey before we get all hasty with this -

can we get a pic?

i can see the dash being shaped foam and dyed and now its melting / disintegrating into dust

im just speculating. but what i mean is you may end up with a gooball of foam and paint

 

[1978 NYB]

I'm at work right now and it'll be dark by time I get home. I will post a picture in the morning.

 

[Big_John]

hey before we get all hasty with this -

can we get a pic?

i can see the dash being shaped foam and dyed and now its melting / disintegrating into dust

im just speculating. but what i mean is you may end up with a gooball of foam and paint

The dash is formed vinyl over the foam. I've sprayed a couple dashes and as long as you use the right stuff, you won't have an issue. My 300 has a dash that has been sprayed with SEM and it looks great.

FWIW, I've been in the factory that makes the foam. They make a meltable blob of the stuff that gets sent off to the dash maker. It was the most ridiculous manufacturing method.... They would make the stuff on one end of the room and then carry it across the room by hand to another machine for part of the process. I was told to stay out of their way because the material would go bad if they waited any more than the time it took to run across the room.

When I met the wife of the owner who seemed to be running everything, it all became clear. I never went back.. They seemed to think that paying us was optional.

 

[Mr C]

The turning brown thing seems to be some kind of chemical reaction, I think. The green dash in my T&C did this too...started turning brown in the middle and I could feel slight distortion in the pad in the vicinity of the colour change when I rubbed my hand over it- (hence my thoughts that it is some reaction in the pad). I painted the dash. It lasted 10 years but has started doing it again through the paint, I need to shoot it again.

 

[Ross Wooldridge]

Hmmm... sounds like Armoral woes - that **** causes more long term problems on interior parts... reactions show up years later.

Clean thoroughly - degreaser etc, then dish soap and water, then a quick (and I mean quick) wipe down with laquer thinner to neutralize, then use the SEM primer and top Color Coat.

My dash and door panel restos have lasted over 20 years.

 

[Mr C]

Hmmm... sounds like Armoral woes - that **** causes more long term problems on interior parts... reactions show up years later.

Clean thoroughly - degreaser etc, then dish soap and water, then a quick (and I mean quick) wipe down with laquer thinner to neutralize, then use the SEM primer and top Color Coat.

My dash and door panel restos have lasted over 20 years.

I have never used armorall on my cars, so...no.

 

[Ross Wooldridge]

Good. Glad to hear it. I only ever use it on my tires.

 

[Mr C]

By the way...the only Formal dashes that I have seen that do not eventually start the brown colour shift are the black dashes...weird.

 

[Ross Wooldridge]

Well, perhaps it's something to do with the original dye the factory used... they all started yellow except the black ones.

 

[cantflip]

One of the first things I purchased for the Imperials is a couple of these
Amazon.com: Coverking Custom Fit Dashcovers for Select Chrysler Imperial Models - Poly Carpet (Black): Automotive
It may be the black... but they are hardly noticeable and I didn't use the Velcro kit that came with... pointless as they stay put nicely, so I can toss them in the trunk if I feel the occasion warrants letting the sun back on them.

Sorry Bob... not a repair solution but something to keep in mind for the future.

 

[commando1]

Stan, they are saying it only comes in pints or quarts. Did you spray yours with a gun?

I sprayed it using a Harbor Freight touch-up spray gun. Because it's vinyl, use their recommended activator for plastics.

 

[saylor]

aight cantflip they owe you commission - i just bought one of those dash mats for a 68 fury.

no reviews :/ i'm the guinea pig

- saylor

 

[cantflip]

aight cantflip they owe you commission - i just bought one of those dash mats for a 68 fury.

no reviews :/ i'm the guinea pig

- saylor

I won't hold my breath for the commission... but I hope you're as happy with yours as I am with mine. The formal dash holds mine just nice without F-ing anything up with tape... I hope yours works out as nicely.

 

[1978 NYB]

I might have to get one of those. I doubt that I'll find another near perfect dash pad ever.