Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Vintage Mercedes Forum

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 11-30-2006, 07:08 PM
DIY or Die
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 298
Dash restoration options

Quick question for those who have done a full restoration...

What did you do for the dash? I just received my 2nd eBay dash (I know, I know) and, like the others, it's less-than-perfect. Small crack in the rear, ding in the front. The vinyl is obviously brittle and the foam no longer resilient.

I got a quote from Just Dashes for $495 to do a complete recondition and recovery. Ouch.

Has anyone used a similar service that they can recommend? Haha, and before anyone suggests it...I'm not willing to go the glued dash-cap route.

__________________
1973 280 - Current Project Car
1979 240d - 100% Stock
1982 380sl - 100% Stock
1985 190e 2.3 - Heavily Modified
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 12-01-2006, 07:00 AM
cth350's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 4,354
It's age related damage. Finding one that is original and not old is gonna be tough. I drove an old 230/8 around for a year with no dash at all as a kid. I made the mistake of thinking I could fix the one that was there. -CTH
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 12-01-2006, 08:46 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 5,134
Australia

There's a service in Australia that advertises in the M-100 club mag that repares these for less.

If you can find a good used one, it would be your best bet.
__________________
With best regards

Al
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12-01-2006, 11:08 AM
DIY or Die
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 298
The obvious concern is that any used dash is on the precipice of disintegrating like the existing dash, simply due to brittleness and foam decay. Even with a windshield shade and Lexol vinyl protectant - there are 110º days here during the summer.

I did find another on eBay, but from a coupe. We'll see how this one looks when it shows...lol. Guess I just don't learn.

It's a lot of work to remove/reinstall the dash. I don't want to have to keep swapping in used dashes...but the cost of recovering the dash, upper/lower consoles, and a-pillars is going to hurt.

But hey, thanks to a tip on this board, I did get a recommendation for leather seat covers that I can live with. Under $1500 for fronts and rear, headrests included.
__________________
1973 280 - Current Project Car
1979 240d - 100% Stock
1982 380sl - 100% Stock
1985 190e 2.3 - Heavily Modified
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12-01-2006, 02:07 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: NoVA
Posts: 466
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cephallus View Post
But hey, thanks to a tip on this board, I did get a recommendation for leather seat covers that I can live with. Under $1500 for fronts and rear, headrests included.
Not to hijack the thread or anything, but who is the recommendation for?
__________________
Nathan
'74 280C - gone to a new home for the finishing it deserves.
'64 356SC
'74 914 2.0
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12-01-2006, 02:20 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada.
Posts: 6,510
Possibly the best area to source a used dash is up here in canada..Not much sun in comaparison and what there is is comparativly weak. What model do you have? 114 up should not be a big problem earlier somewhat harder. Good dashes do not abound up here but at least there are quite a few around.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12-01-2006, 02:29 PM
DIY or Die
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 298
Quote:
Originally Posted by barry123400 View Post
Possibly the best area to source a used dash is up here in canada..Not much sun in comaparison and what there is is comparativly weak. What model do you have? 114 up should not be a big problem earlier somewhat harder. Good dashes do not abound up here but at least there are quite a few around.
Yep, w114. I'll see how the next ebay one looks. If not, I've got tons of family still in Canada who can check around/ship for me.
__________________
1973 280 - Current Project Car
1979 240d - 100% Stock
1982 380sl - 100% Stock
1985 190e 2.3 - Heavily Modified
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12-01-2006, 02:32 PM
DIY or Die
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 298
Quote:
Originally Posted by JMURiz View Post
Not to hijack the thread or anything, but who is the recommendation for?
It's for a shop in North Hollywood, the guy's name is John. Email is kush213@yahoo.com, phone is 818-766-9511.

$1450 for seat covers, $145 for the headliner, $369 for German loop carpet. MBTex on the seat covers would be $850.
__________________
1973 280 - Current Project Car
1979 240d - 100% Stock
1982 380sl - 100% Stock
1985 190e 2.3 - Heavily Modified
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12-04-2006, 01:33 PM
KCM KCM is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 645
Repairing a dash depends on the condition of the vinyl. If it is soft and pliable, then it most likely can be fixed by a vinyl repair place. Up in my neck of the woods, there is a chain called Dr. Vinyl. If the vinyl is hard, you are most likely out of luck.

I had a friend fix mine, who on the side repaired vinyl chairs. The vinyl was hard and he did his best, but it is by no means an invisible repair. And he said there is no guarentee that it would not crack again. The hard vinyl, he said, is pretty much impossible to fix right.

$495 for a completely new dash from Just Dashes doesn't sound bad to me. I did research on them many years ago and it sounded like they did a thorough job and try to make the dash look as OEM as possible. It is nearly impossible to find a perfect used dash for a 30+ year old car.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 12-04-2006, 01:45 PM
DIY or Die
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 298
Ha, I'm still trying. I've got another eBay dash on the way. When will I learn?

__________________
1973 280 - Current Project Car
1979 240d - 100% Stock
1982 380sl - 100% Stock
1985 190e 2.3 - Heavily Modified
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:33 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page