Is it possible to pull the vinyl off of the dash? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

abrankhalid · #16 05-16-2013, 01:44 AM

UV should be the biggest concern when choosing the vinyl . I researched about which Vinyl had UV protection but I don't have the links saved on my computer any more . Since this was my first time upholstering or working with a fabric, I didnt want to spend hundreds in professional glue guns and contact cements .

I settled for Marine grade vinyl from my local Joan and used a 50% off coupon to get enough to cover the dashboard twice for less than $30 , IIRC.

Marine/Rv Vinyl & vinyl at Joann.com

For glue, there was a discussion of using DAP's contact cement for Vinyl on some upholstery forum that pointed out that the cement will adversely react with the Vinyl . I checked the datasheet for it and it clearly states not for use with Vinyl. Some people got away with it because the Vinyl is usually fabric wrapped but to be on the safe side, I stuck with the 3M Super strength 90 adhesive. Don't go for the 3m 77 , its not strong enough apparently.

3M 17.6 oz. Hi-Strength 90 Spray Adhesive-90-24 at The Home Depot

I am glad people are finding this thread interesting . There isn't any rocket science involved in it. Just perseverance and lots of dirty hands from clearing away cracked vinyl...

I will post pictures once I am done contouring the vinyl to the curved surfaces and cutting holes for the trim pieces. Hopefully , its going to be this weekend..

abrankhalid · #17 05-16-2013, 01:54 AM

On a separate note, this is the first thread i have contributed constructively on ! And its being discussed on another forum too , makes me really happy!!.... I will keep better track of whatever I do with pictures from now on.

w123fanman · #18 05-16-2013, 05:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abrankhalid

On a separate note, this is the first thread i have contributed constructively on ! And its being discussed on another forum too , makes me really happy!!.... I will keep better track of whatever I do with pictures from now on.

Thanks for your input in this thread. Hopefully I can use your information to repair the dash on my 190D and the dash on my dad's 240D

abrankhalid · #19 06-21-2013, 08:35 AM

Here are a couple of pictures of how the dash came out. Note that this is the first time I ever did any kind of upholstery. So , i ended up making a few mistakes when it came to edges, bends and crevices. They are not too visible though and I am sure that some one with even the tiniest bit of experience of making vinyl bend around different shapes will have a much better result.
I will post better pictures once i have it installed in the car with all the panels fitted.

Stretch · #20 06-21-2013, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by abrankhalid

Here are a couple of pictures of how the dash came out. Note that this is the first time I ever did any kind of upholstery. So , i ended up making a few mistakes when it came to edges, bends and crevices. They are not too visible though and I am sure that some one with even the tiniest bit of experience of making vinyl bend around different shapes will have a much better result.
I will post better pictures once i have it installed in the car with all the panels fitted.

Looks like good progress - have you ever tried to wall paper bumpy walls before? Was it a bit like that?

Jimec3 · #21 08-09-2013, 03:49 PM

This thread has inspired me. Dash is removed, vinyl is peeled.
I applied a liberal amount of expanding foam and sanded it down.

I am now debating between

Fiber glassing the whole thing and painting it flat black
Covering it in new vinyl.

I get hung up thinking about how to get one piece of vinyl material to cover the dash smoothly, from the inside cluster binnacle all the way...probably just over-thinking it. Should be an interesting weekend making up my mind.

Jimec3 · #22 08-12-2013, 06:08 AM

Sent from my RM-820_nam_att_100 using Tapatalk

Stretch · #23 08-14-2013, 02:30 PM

That looks kind of glitzy - are you happy with the work you've done?

Jimec3 · #24 08-19-2013, 03:24 PM

That picture ended up looking kinda bad. I would say the new vinyl was a bit shinier than the old but all in all I would say it was appropriate.

Am I happy...never. LOL

I went a little light on the glue in one spot and now there is a bubble. I won't tolerate the bubble. The dash will be coming back out and getting re-covered. Now that I have done it once and was fairly happy with the results I would do it again in a heartbeat. The price of a new dash is WAY above my means and a dash out of a junker is going to have the same problem

Things I have learned from the process. Less foam is more. More glue...always more glue

The next go I think I will try some plastic body filler to further smooth out some areas.

Stretch · #25 08-19-2013, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jimec3

That picture ended up looking kinda bad. I would say the new vinyl was a bit shinier than the old but all in all I would say it was appropriate.

Am I happy...never. LOL

I went a little light on the glue in one spot and now there is a bubble. I won't tolerate the bubble. The dash will be coming back out and getting re-covered. Now that I have done it once and was fairly happy with the results I would do it again in a heartbeat. The price of a new dash is WAY above my means and a dash out of a junker is going to have the same problem

Things I have learned from the process. Less foam is more. More glue...always more glue

The next go I think I will try some plastic body filler to further smooth out some areas.

Well you're a pioneer - one of the few.

All I say is well done...

...and...

...more pictures - and make 'em good ones too!

abrankhalid · #26 09-12-2013, 03:52 AM

JimEC3 , man that much foam would float your whole car in a lake ! It must have taken a lot of work to grind/sand it all down to a level. I agree, less foam is better. I would also use a plastic filler or something that doesn't go on as haphazardly as the insulation foam.
What did you end up doing about the corners ? The side that faces the doors , right around the air vents , those corners are the hardest to get right. I couldn't get it properly.
I still haven't put it in back yet .... I am trying to source some cheap vacuum pods now that i have all of them visible. I have got hold of a few of them , just a couple of more to go.

BWhitmore · #27 09-19-2013, 02:06 AM

A good source for a flexible crack filler is Color Plus in Milford, Pa. (570)6863158. They also sell excellent dye that is an exact match to the Mercedes black or blue dash. The dye can be sprayed (spray gun) or brushed on with a soft bristle brush (I borrowed one of my wife's artist brush). The results were outstanding. I actually dyed a black dash blue. Make sure that the dash is super clean before applying the dye. It is OK to also sand the dash lightly with 400 sandpaper. I also dyed the leather seats in my 300cd (palomino) once again using the brush and they look new. No brush marks and an exact color match. To dye a dash you need about 1 pint of dye. The total cost for all materials should be under $100.

cirrusman · #28 10-23-2013, 02:52 PM

Well, I'm trying a different approach to re-cover my dash. I'm sealing the cracks with hi-temp RTV sealant to make it seamless and I'm covering the old vinyl with a new one I got at Joanne's. I was doubtful that my approach would work, but this dude did it, Vintage Triumph Register - VTR so I'm going to try. As he mentions, the whole thing will be slightly larger than it was before; how larger, time will tell. I'll post pics as soon as I'm done, along with a report on how it went.