Glue on dash pad caps

[JunkYardFind]

Has anyone had experience with the dash covers that glue on over the existing trashed dash pad?

I just a quote from Just Dashes and they want $1,250 plus shipping, and 4 MONTHS to do the job. That is ridiculous on both the price AND time frame!

I see the glue on covers for around $200. I would like to try this and see what it looks like. Pics if you have done it would be greatly appreciated! Thanks

[dodj]

I've installed a cap, and it looked better than the cracked up one overall but nothing to be proud of in my opinion. I was glad I two years later spent the $$  for a proper dash pad. You look at it ALL THE TIME when you are driving. So I think it is worth spending the money if you can swing it.
I'm not sure he still sells them, but if he does I would recommend the dash pads from Dave at Roseville.

[Joegrapes]

About 20 years ago when I was rebuilding my car and needed a dash pad. At the time Just Dashes would recover my dash frame for $500. That was a lot so I called Year One and asked the salesman about the dash cap they sold. After giving me the sales pitch I asked him for his honest opinion of the product, he said POS! I went with Just Dashes.

[73chalngr]

I had one on my 73 challenger for years. It looked OK but you knew it was fake most people did not. To make it fit better I had to cut parts of the dash down which once you do that there's no going back. I finally acquired a dash pad. I see you're in Southern California I'd give you the one I have but I'm in Pennsylvania .

[JunkYardFind]

I had one on my 73 challenger for years. It looked OK but you knew it was fake most people did not. To make it fit better I had to cut parts of the dash down which once you do that there's no going back. I finally acquired a dash pad. I see you're in Southern California I'd give you the one I have but I'm in Pennsylvania .

@73chalngr
I don't know man....near 70 degrees and sunny today. I hear you guys are a bit colder. Might be worth a trip to deliver it
I am going to try Roseville and see if they still sell them, grew up near there till I escaped!

I cannot justify the cost right now for the Just Dashes Gold/Platinum version. At least every time I look at the crappy dash cap I will see a thousand dollars as well!

[73chalngr]

I say put on the cap and when financing changes you replace it .  It is definitely better then looking at the crappy pad .

[JunkYardFind]

Just found the other thread on this topic... https://forum.e-bodies.org/interior/6/dash-caps/3803/
Not sure why these are not coming up in my searches.

[chargerdon]

My 74 Challenger dash was all cracked with splits, and fades, etc.    Bought one of the glue on dash caps which was on sale somewhere for $125 including shipping and im pretty sure it was from Year One.   It is the type for factory AC and a single AM radio speaker in the center.     

Had some wiring to do anyways so took the entire dash out to make the install easier ...did in on a hot sunny day and left the assembly sit in the sun, which made stretching the cap to get into place a lot easier.   Also, many places such as around the in dash AC vents you have to take them out before putting on the cap and it made the entire process easier, and was able to do a good job.   Had to transfer the Challenger insignia on passenger side and it was already cut out so that the vin plate from the original is fully visible.   For the installation i made sure that i filled in all of the "cracks" and let it cure and sanded smooth before the install !!   This is a must !!

To me.. it looks very good...good enough that it is now staying...   Most people don't recognize the difference, and for the money and convienience...im happy.   I'm sure at a high end place like Mecum if i ever try to sell it it would be recognized, but, at 73 ill still have this car till i pass away.   Also, i've taken a few trophies with it at the local car shows (mostly of the best 25 of show type), and have quit taking it to those anyways.   They all want $25 for registration and hand out $5 trophies...to heck with behind held hostage at those places.   I've taken the attitude of "i dont pay people to look at my car"!!   No one at any car cruise has ever said a word about the cap. 

[RUNCHARGER]

I would try one for sure depending on the quality of the car. Obviously not on a restoration of a multi carb car but I don't see the problem for a driver/cruise in type of car. It would let you spend $1000 elsewhere on the car is the way I look at it.

[CudaA39]

PM sent OP

[anlauto]

Why would anybody use "Just Dashes" ?

[HP2]

I have one in my '74.  For my purposes, it is fine. Is it exactly like stock, not entirely. Hard core mopar guys will now its a cap, regular people passing by won't have a clue.

Unlike chargerdon, I didn't remove my dash, but my windshield was out, which made a huge difference in ease of install. I personally wouldn't attempt it without doing one or the other as it may impact how tightly you get it to fit. I also left mine in the sun to make it more pliable. I did a lot of test fitting and trimming too.

Here are a couple of overall views. Sorry about the glare from the windows.

[HP2]

I didn't fill and sand my pre-existing cracks, but I did trim them down so they were smooth and didn't have sharp edges.  The glue they provide is simply clear silicone, so I supplemented the supply that came with the cap with my own.  Put a good bead around the edges and all openings and around various spots through out the capped area.

A/C ducts required a lot of trimming to fit well. The exterior view and passenger view are great. From the driver's seat it isn't bad, but the opening around the instrument panel don't contour in and wrap closely to  the frame like stock. They do just end. You can see that in these pics. Of course this angle is from behind the steering wheel. It appears much less abrupt from the driver's seat.

[71vert340]

 I used a cap on my 74 Rallye Charger dash pad and it's okay for what it is. The grandson will drive it so I didn't want to do a costly restoration on a 74. Yes, I had to do some trimming and the 71-74 B-body dash pads are easier than an E-body pad. I did take the entire dash out of the car to make it easier. Photos below.

[JunkYardFind]

Thanks everyone for the advice and pics! I am going to pull the trigger on this one from Classic Industries this week...... https://www.classicindustries.com/product/me1461100.html

I will do a video and let you all know how it goes.