924Board.org

[endwrench]

I'm planning on finishing the interior on my car this winter and I was wondering if anyone had an opinion on dash caps. I was looking on E-bay and there seems to be two styles. One wraps the gauge bezel and the other doesn't.

My OE dash is complete trash and I assume I will need to knock down the high spots around the cracks to get a decent fit. I may also try to fill and paint some of the cracks around the defrost vents Any comments?

Should I use the adhesive that comes with the cap or do you prefer something else?

Todd
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'79 924NA. Rebuilt 9.5:1, MSDS header, Mega Squirt Injection, MJLJ-EDIS Ignition, 1.6L Whipple Charger and Intercooler, 10lbs Boost, 944 Trans, Custom HD Clutch.
"simsport" said....superchargers are better than turbos its official!....

[ideola]

Personally, I do not like the plastic dash caps because they don't fit well (in my experience), especially on a dash that has bad heaving and cracking, and on top of that (pardon the pun), they have a bad glare when in direct sunlight. I suppose you might be able to find some sort of matte clearcoat or something to spray on, but I haven't tried that.

I have a couple of the carpet-style dash mats, and for as much as everyone bemoans their appearance, I actually find them quite functional. Cheap, don't have to do anything to the dash, and they don't have any glare.

The other solution I'd like to try at some point is this one:
http://www.autoanything.com/dash-mats/60A4600A0A0A2596790.aspx
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

[fiat22turbo]

I've heard of "flocking" the dashboard to reduce glare. Essentially gluing bits of suede on the dash. There should be kits available on the market. Might be worth trying on your existing dash, fill the cracks, grind them smooth and then flock it!

I haven't done it personally, so I can't comment further, but the ones I've seen in race cars and the like seem to look pretty good and the owners indicate they are easy to maintain.
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Stefan
1979 924 Carrera GTS (clone-ish)
1988 944 Turbo S (Silver Rose)

[ideola]

I asked the guys at Classic 9 Leathershop about flocking, because I've seen the kits for DIY flocking which indicate suitability for dashes...but Bob said the issue with flocking is that there's no way to clean it without damaging it, that the flocking doesn't hold up to "every day" type usage...FWIW.

It's still an interesting option, and in an ideal world with unlimited time and budget ( ), one I'd like to try!
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

[endwrench]

Thanks for the ideas. The flocking sounds interesting but I think I'll save it for the Christmas tree . I hadn't really considered a "mat" as my car had one on it when I got it. It was pretty ugly but it was old, faded, brown carpet. I've since changed the interior color to black and I'm not trying to make the car look stock, just "newer". I'm going to reconsider the dash mat thing. I do like the suede ones in your link. Thanks again!

Todd
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'79 924NA. Rebuilt 9.5:1, MSDS header, Mega Squirt Injection, MJLJ-EDIS Ignition, 1.6L Whipple Charger and Intercooler, 10lbs Boost, 944 Trans, Custom HD Clutch.
"simsport" said....superchargers are better than turbos its official!....

[kcoyle]

[thirdgenbird]

Dan ive debated a carpet cover. can you post a few pictures?

do you know which bran/color matches the factory tan carpet the best?
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17in caymans, koni yellow coilovers, hypercoil springs, kla solid upper mounts, 968 sway bars, kla drop links, kla strut brace, fidanza flywheel, dansk catback, wilwood front calipers, ss brake lines, e-codes, 944 duckbill, manual rack,momo steering wheel

[kcoyle]

Here is what I have at the moment, dashmat brand.






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1982 931- Stock with MBC at 8psi

Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it.

[kcoyle]

Plastic dashcap painted and installed. (actually just plopped over old dash. No adhesive added)





Here is a shot of the plastic bit that wraps around the bezel. Kinda cheezy but you can't really see it when driving.


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1982 931- Stock with MBC at 8psi

Relax, all right? My old man is a television repairman, he's got this ultimate set of tools. I can fix it.

[Kens_74_911s]

Picked up a brown dash cover like this in great shape if anyone is looking... could be painted black . It is actually molded in black plastic and painted brown with Coverlay sticker on the back.

Sorry post may a little out of category but seemed to map okay, as someone can report back the fit up. Send me a PM if you are looking for a dash cover like this.
K
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Ken - ebay: wandrey1 , *0 , *00 , *01
74 911s widebody
96 BMW 750iL
99 BMW 328i
81 VW MK1-1.8 GTI, 5 spd Pickup
02 Explorer (wife's)
92 BMW 735iL Parting
84,85,86x3,87,944. 82-924,88-924s parted
68, 70, 72, 73, 911~ 70,73 914 past Pcars

[stevekat]

When you pull the speaker grill and insert it on top of the overlay, it should look much better.
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"Never get out of the boat. Absolutely goddamn right. Unless you are goin' all the way."

Gone to new home: '81 924T, US version, CGT Intercooler, UTCIS-PT, Euro DITC, Greddy Trust MBC, Forged Fuchs Flat Dish 6's, Factory Recaro's.

[Nein37]

Had a plastic dash cap but removed it in favor of the cracked up old dash. IMO the dash cap looks cheap and no better than the cracked up old dash. I've decided just display the dash in all its cracked up glory... hell its 30 years old and deserves to look the way it does. When time and money allows I'll get it recovered at http://www.classic9leathershop.com. Either all the way or nothing for me.
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1981 931 CGT replica, OEM CGT intercooler, .8 BAR WG spring, GTS Headlights, Innovative Wide band A/F, A/C delete, 16" Fuchs, Weltmeister 200lb lowering springs, Bilstein HDs front, Koni Sport rears.