dash material application - ideas needed

problem - top dash material in cavaliers is sort of soft and not exactly favored material to paint, any suggestions on how to harden it up and smooth it out? that stupid textured look really bugs me. i was thinking a few coats of body filler and a good sanding would work. and as far as the door panels which are just cheap plastic... they wont be hard, just a good sand to smooth out the texture and they will be ready for paint and prime. but i need ideas on the soft dash material to harden it up, and what kind of paint has a good reputation for this kind of application. thanks

First, there's a reason that cars are made with soft padded dashboards, namely that federal law has required it for almost 40 years. Second, rather than hardening the dash, it's a lot easier and cheaper to get flexible interior paint(available from any auto paint supply place, you just have to specify that it needs to be flexible). You can also use dye instead of paint.

i agree..... there is a flex additive you can add to the primer, base and clear. there is also a bifferent primer you need to use.