Just Dashes Quote to do '76 Eldorado

[joeinbcs]

I'm doing some things to freshen my '76 Eldorado Convertible, and thought I'd check with Just Dashes before I went to the trouble of dealing with someone local to recover the upper pads on the doors.
Here's the current cost to re-do the door panels and dash.
My dash is perfect, but they kindly provided the quote anyway:

"Here is an approximate cost of your restoration:

$700-800/each | Complete Front & Rear Door Panels
~$450/each | Lower Door Panel Only
~$350-450/each | Upper Door Panel Only (CANNOT match wrinkle finish)

Other Parts:
$1,800 | Dash (Price for both pieces)
$900 | Top Pad Only (send speaker grilles)
$1,000 | Middle Pad Only (Send chrome vents) +$300 to chrome vents

$100-$200 Color Match Fee
*No extra charge for black
+ Shipping"

I think I'll be going to the trouble of using someone local...LOL...

Has anyone used the 'skins' sold by USA Parts Supply to recover the lower door/armrest?

[Jeff Rosansky CLC #28373]

Ouch

[Bobby B]

Joe,
Hi. Yeah..That hurts . They did a dash in my GTO a few years back for around $1100.00. Not cheap, but if you want it factory perfect, they're the go to guys. It's a specialty thing, and you know how that story goes......
                                                                                                                       Bobby

[Scot Minesinger]

Have a just dashes on my 1970 DVC on main upper pad/assembly.  They did a great job and it looks perfect ten years later.  It seems to be more durable (like a thicker vinyl).  They cannot duplicate everything, and the plastic factory dull chrome strip around edge is not there.

[Cadillac Jack 82]

I had a quote of 1300 for my 57 dash...

[Walter Youshock]

They did my '57 dash like 15+ years ago and it was $800 then...

Gotta say the workmanship is as close to factory as you can get but they're not the only supplier anymore.

[David Greenburg]

You might want to check with Dash Specialists in Oregon. They did a nice job on my '60 for much less than JD.

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

They are the best and as others have stated as close to factory
original as you can get.  I've used them and was very pleased.

Excellent work is never cheap.

[Bobby B]

Excellent work is never cheap.

And Cheap work is never Excellent  .........Sometimes you have to learn the hard way that for the most part, You get what you pay for.......It usually doesn't take long to learn a lesson when you have to have something re-done because you're not happy. Then you pay almost double for the same job, because it needs to be re-done the right way. The old quote says, "If you think it's expensive to hire a Professional, wait until you hire an Amateur."  I'm sure everyone's been down that road at least once. But yes, there are other people who might do better quality work cheaper. Just do your homework and get references. Satisfied Customers and Word of Mouth is the best advertisement for any business.                 
                                                Bobby

[Mike Baillargeon #15848]

I had Just Dashes do a dash pad for my 1960 Eldorado.

They did an incredible job !.......It was just perfect.

But all said and done with shipping both ways it was I think the total was in the $2,200 range.

Bobby B is right you get exactly what you pay for.

Mike #15848

[LenInLA]

I purchase new old stock OEM upper driver door panel for my 1976 Eldorado for $150. Paid $50 to dye it white.  But it's the "wrinkly" kind and looks just like the passenger side. And way cheaper than JD. Of course I think I got lucky to find a new panel.

Leonard Grayver

[joeinbcs]

I've long heard about the high quality of Just Dashes' work.
But, as they are unable to reproduce the "wrinkly" look of the upper door pads, I'd find it hard to swallow their price.
Someone told me that the '75 and '76 Eldorado's were particularly prone to cracking upper door panels, but not so other years with the same design (I believe these "wrinkly-look" upper door pads were used '73-'78?).  I think I'm going to see if I can find a set of good used ones as an alternative...