vinyl wrapping my dashboard

I made a dashboard out of fibreglass and would really like to wrap it in vinyl but I'm not sure how. I would really appreciate some help.

-------------
interior newb

find some high quality 4-way stretch vinyl. that is the only stuff that has any potential of working.

use some good vinyl and some spray on contact upholstery glue, works fine

How long and how much should it cost? if I did it myself and if I had a place do it in town?

-------------
interior newb

theres a company called JUST DASHES somewhere that repairs antique dashes, but you're talking big money for their work, plus weeks.

pick a flat place, stretch like crazy, and slowly encourage the material over the contours. have lots of extra on all sides, so you don't run out halfway down a section.

You will need at least 2-3 yards of heat formable vinyl. Get some high temp contact glue and a heat gun or hair dryer. You spray both the dash and the vinyl (after you cut it of course) and let it get a little tacky. Then apply the vinyl starting from the center and work your way out and check periodically to make sure you have no bubbles and use the heat source to get it to stretch and conform to the shape of the dash then staple or hot glue it to the back and cut off the excess and voila! I strongly recommend the heat formable vinyl and high temp contact glue b/c car interiors get VERY hot and it will last longer than regular vinyl and contact glue. Hope I helped.

-------------
Pure Noize

That helps a lot, what type of places sell heat-formable vinyl?

-------------
interior newb

the other thing I was wondering is if I wrapped a paint roller in vinyl and rolled that over paint would I get the same design? places in town wanted 6-700 dollars to do this job, So if I can paint it and roll the vinyl on it and get the same texture that would cost me like $20 max. I'll try it on a test piece and let you guys know what happens

-------------
interior newb

If you just want the vinyl look than you just need texture spray from SEM or even O'Rieleys (rocker panel spray.)  Just play around on a piece of wood or cardboard to get the right texture contour and after you are satisfied spray the dash.  Haven't heard of wrapping vinyl on a paint roller before, but I  have applied regular fg resin with a brush on a pillar and laid the vinyl over the resin.  I then waited for the resin to cure and peeled it off and there is your texture patten, then dye to match.  Be sure to use some type of barrier between the vinyl and resin, like baby oil or tanning oil.  I would think that rolling it on with a paint roller would smear it.  If you attempt what I said be sure to have a couple friends help you to place the vinyl over it from the top, not letting the vinyl "walk" on you, or it will have a smeared appearence as well.  Just try it on a scrap piece of wood or something. 

-------------
davedyer79

smonty wrote:

---

That helps a lot, what type of places sell heat-formable vinyl?

---

FIRST:  TO ALL FORUM READERS -- **PLEASE DO NOT FLAME ME FOR THIS!!!!**

I used to work for a company called Select Products they sell it and I'm sure some of the guys here know of other places too. Here's their url www.selectproducts.com . Give em a try. Call the florida office and talk to Craig White, he'll take good care of you and tell him Demetrius sent you.

-------------
Pure Noize

ouch... there's motorized acuators on there that cost more than my 71 GT did. heh. fun to look at. i'll give it that.

good news, my friends dad works with a guy that does interiors as a hobby, I still have to talk to him but he does a lot of stuff for free as long as I pay for materials and help him out. we will see, I'll look into that textured spray paint as well.

-------------
interior newb

the Select Products HF vinyl is awsome. They also have a dvd that shows how to use it correctly.

-------------
Thanks,
Andy