Dash Pad Options

[TrevorK]

Hi all,

I'm considering my options for my dash pad on my 1960.  It is dry and has small cracks in places.  It isn't terrible, but not great.  I am redoing the entire interior with SMS fabric and leather, so will be nice and don't want the dash pad to stand out.  I've looked into Just Dashes and a place in Sweden called RD Autoline -both would be very nice, but also very expensive, especially if shipping from Canada and paying currency conversion, etc.  I've seen the name Dash Specialists around, but they don't seem to have a website so not sure they are still in business.  Are there any other options?  I've seen a couple of threads about the dash caps - seems like comments on those are mixed.

Trevor

[TrevorK]

PS:  Has anyone had any experience with these new dashes being sold on E-bay?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1959-1960-Cadillac-Dash-Pad/254713462149?hash=item3b4e1afd85:g:W~UAAOSwYNlbtodE

[David Greenburg]

I had my ‘60 dash done by Dash Specialists in Oregon. Very happy with it  and, and it was quite a bit less expensive than JD, with a substantially shorter turnaround time.

[Clewisiii]

I went to just Dashes. They were the only ones I knew of.  $1500 and 4 months turn around.

[goob]

A little less expensive alternative...a plastic dash cap...I installed this one 6 years ago, still looks and feels great. Places like OPGI have them around $250.

[TrevorK]

I had my ‘60 dash done by Dash Specialists in Oregon. Very happy with it  and, and it was quite a bit less expensive than JD, with a substantially shorter turnaround time.

How recently did you use them?  They don't seem to have a website.

[TrevorK]

A little less expensive alternative...a plastic dash cap...I installed this one 6 years ago, still looks and feels great. Places like OPGI have them around $250.

I'd love to see some more photos of your dash cap - I haven't had much luck in finding photos of the 59/60 caps.  Do you know what brand yours is?

[goob]

I purchased the cap from stockinteriors.com back in February 2014...they don't list them on their site anymore. If you search 60 cadillac dash you'll see quite a few vendors. They're all about the same price. Here's another picture, I'll try to get a better one.

[goob]

well here's one more...my phone camera doesn't seem to want to focus well today!

[TrevorK]

Thanks for the pics - it looks alright in the photos (yes, a bit blurry  )

[TrevorK]

A little less expensive alternative...a plastic dash cap...I installed this one 6 years ago, still looks and feels great. Places like OPGI have them around $250.

Are the caps a hard plastic or are they softer and similar to the original vinyl?

[fishnjim]

https://dash-specialists.hub.biz/   ?
I looked at them for the '58 but never contacted.   They used to have a video how they do the repair.   They take off the old skin, fill in the pad "holes"/"cracks" and grind surface down smooth, and put the leather over it.   Think you need steam to stretch leather correctly, maybe vacuum bag for gluing(?)   
If you have the leather, the people doing you're interior maybe able to do.   Cadillac used a certain grain pattern on the dashes.   It should be in the specifications book for '60.  GM heritage center archive - free download.
I have one of those hard covers, and it almost fits good, but not worthy of a resto quality.   It was on the car when purchased, so don't know where it came from.   Might be the people that installed it weren't too.   If you just want to cover up the "mess" it's good DIY for that.  Mine's pretty hard, but thin plastic.   From 25' you can't tell.

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

From all that I've heard "Just Dashes" is the gold
standard for dash restorations for the "molded type
dashes" of the late 50's - 60's.

They are expensive, but if you want the best:
http://www.justdashes.com/

Mike

[dinhnguyen57]

I used the dash Pad Factory on Ebay and was very happy with the results.  The fit, texture of the surface as well as the color and amount of gloss was very good.  There was some issues with deliver and reimbursement but in the end it was resolved.  (I ordered a '59 dash, but they sent me one with a '60 core.  Although they were very close, they are not perfect matches.  They did eventually send me the correct one and paid for all the shipping.)   I would use them again.

They gave me a discount from the price that is quoted on Ebay when I initially placed my order, so you can ask if they offer discounts.  I see sales from time to time.

They take the core and makes anew pad from the factory mold then they paint it the color that you want.