Dashcap Choices: Coverlay or Accu-Form?

[Diesel2theMoon]

The DTWND (diesel that will not die) has a dash that looks like an aerial map of the Missippi River as it enters the Gulf of Mexico.

In California 'appearances are everything, and nothing is what it appears'. So...one must cover that 'cracky' old dash with some new polymer eh?

In my research of the threads posted over the past 4 years I find mention of two products: Coverlay and Accuform. The delivered price for either is about $130.

Could I ask those that have installed (...or removed) these dashcaps what their experience is as of mid-Janauary '07? Any advantage to either product? Any experience you'd like to share?

Based on the sage wisdom y'all offer up, I'll buy one or the other. Heck, it's california. If it's got silicone in it, we lust after it!

[toomany MBZ]

I have a hard plastic cover, came with the car, I think some kind of adhesive will work, have not looked into it, asking local auto top shop might reveal answer, on said cover. Too cold around here to worry about for now.

[Stevo]

I have installed a couple of the Coverlays and think they are fine. Most people never know its not the original dash, sure, if you know where to look you can spot it right away but they are not bad and its near "immediate gratification" Just follow the directions, its pretty streight forward.

[Bama1]

I ordered a Coverlay from the Impco Company before they merged into Performance Products and I got about a dozen years use out of it before I accidentally hit it with something and it cracked.

It was frozen at the time and had become brittle. Probably would still be fine if I had not banged it up! Not sure if they still offer Coverlay with the lifetime warranty anymore but when I dig out my invoice, I'll be cashing mine in for a replacement!

Coverlay's fit was very good but I did use a razor knife and emory cloth to carefully remove excess plastic, beburr the sharp edges and seamlines, and to "soften" the plastic look. The finish was almost a perfect match and with the excess trimmed away nicely it was almost undetectable.

The emory cloth (or you can substitute very fine sandpaper) was used to gently sand and roughen the underside of the coverlay to provide a better "tooth" or grip for the adhesive to attach. Also test by dry-fitting to see where the cover actually makes contact so you know where to lightly sand the original dash and apply the adhesive tape correctly.