Covering the dash -advice needed

[jklapp]

I am preparing to cover my aluminum dash and transmission tunnel cover with a piece of leather. I have some 1/8" foam I bought to go under the leather. With a mock-up piece, the dash feels a little too "puffy" for my taste. Are there any downsides to not having some sort of underlayment beneath the leather? Has anyone done this just leather?

Thanks,

Joel

[OSU Cowboy]

The dash in my MK3.1 is covered with black marine vinyl, no layer of anything beneath it.

[Al_C]

Just my 2 cents... you want some form of foam underneath the leather. I have a lot of it left from my dash and I'm happy to send you enough to do the job. I don't recall what it is exactly, but my dash is not puffy. I have leather over the foam.

[Jim1855]

I'm not a fan of the puffy dash look. I think that the leather or other material looks better, i.e. cleaner, as a solid flat surface. I don't think that there's any reasons that the padding is required to facilitate assembly.

Now, there may be issues where a "padded" dash is required according to a state's vehicle regulations.

Jim

[gbranham]

I skipped the kit-supplied vinyl for that reason...didn't like the puffy look. I bought some black vinyl with a much thinner backing at a local fabric store. Turned out fine, and haven't noticed any downside to it.

Greg

[jklapp]

Thanks for the offer. I already have some 1/8” Volara close cell foam. Mostly wondering about downsides to not using it.

[nuhale]

I did not like the "puffy" look either. I did vinyl right over aluminum and have never regretted it. Nice leather look and has been perfect for 5 years running.

[Jeff Kleiner]

The only downside is that anything like a rivet head or unused hole will telegraph through.

Jeff

[PNWTim]

You can also use skived leather to reduce the overall thickness. As Jeff says, the foam acts as a barrier to imperfections and goes a long way in "smoothing" the surface.

[gbranham]

The only downside is that anything like a rivet head or unused hole will telegraph through.

Jeff

I can confirm this. I didn't want screwheads holding my dash on, so I fashioned up some brackets, but where the brackets mate to the dash, there is a noticeable dimple in my vinyl. I should've done a better job of smoothing that, but I'm okay with small dimples in exchange for not having a puffy dash. I guess that may be the only 'downside' I've noticed...gotta make sure your dash is pretty darn smooth before putting on the thin vinyl.

Greg

218120

[BrewCityCobra]

I ended bodyworking the dashboard aluminum first and then used 1/8" foam to help smooth everything out. I find that if not done perfectly, glueing the leather directly to the aluminum can look a bit "rough" or textured. I know everybody has their own tastes and opinions but I felt 1/8" foam is the perfect balance between smoothing out the leather without looking too puffy. But that said, I don't think you can really go wrong so long as you prep your aluminum surface first (including bodyworking over any screws or bolts so they are perfectly flush). There are beautiful dashes on this site using both styles.

218122

[CDXXVII]

This is my dash covered in leather with a thin layer of 1/32" neoprene. I think it has just enough give to offer some depth and also to cover any screw heads or imperfections.

I think I used this foam. www.mcmaster.com/9455K91/

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=218129&d=1552097702

[AtlantaCobra]

Have you considered buying some carbon fiber vinyl? I bought some and was going to remove my "puffy" dash and replace with carbon fiber. I think it would turn out great....and it's cheap. I ended up buying the Factory Five carbon dash instead

[PNWTim]

This is my dash covered in leather with a thin layer of 1/32" neoprene. I think it has just enough give to offer some depth and also to cover any screw heads or imperfections.

I think I used this foam. www.mcmaster.com/9455K91/ (http://www.mcmaster.com/9455K91/)

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=218129&d=1552097702

Looks really nice.

[BrewCityCobra]

This is my dash covered in leather with a thin layer of 1/32" neoprene. I think it has just enough give to offer some depth and also to cover any screw heads or imperfections.

I think I used this foam. www.mcmaster.com/9455K91/

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=218129&d=1552097702

Yeah, that's the ticket. Best of both worlds.

[brewha]

I did the puffy leather look twice and had issues in the heat with the glue coming undone. I strip it off and went with a carbon fiber vinyl which was a very inexpensive and looks great. It’s been holding up very well.

[Blitzboy54]

Here is leather with 1/8 hard foam. The leather is stiffer than vinyl so it's not as "puffy" but gives you some reference vs the 1/32.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=147019&d=1619566056

[jklapp]

Looks great!! Thanks for all the feedback everyone. after sitting staring at 1/16" and 1/32" on the ruler, I ordered some of the 1/16" stuff from Mcmaster-Cart. I'm probably 6 mo behind on my build log, but will eventually add some posts with the dash!





This is my dash covered in leather with a thin layer of 1/32" neoprene. I think it has just enough give to offer some depth and also to cover any screw heads or imperfections.

I think I used this foam. www.mcmaster.com/9455K91/ (http://www.mcmaster.com/9455K91/)

[JMD]

This is my dash covered in leather with a thin layer of 1/32" neoprene. I think it has just enough give to offer some depth and also to cover any screw heads or imperfections.

I think I used this foam. www.mcmaster.com/9455K91/

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=218129&d=1552097702

I really like that. I'm considering what to use to cover my center console. Don't want it 'padded' but don't really want vinyl right on the metal either. This seems like a good compromise. They have different options of soft/medium soft/medium/medium hard/hard. Which consistency did you use for your dash?

[Grubester]

To 'CDXXVII' -- since we're talking about "dashboard-ness", your design shown is EXACTLY what I'm also working towards on my Mk4 289 build.
Was your dash pre-cut w.r.t. the gauge locations? I'd sure like to duplicate that. Qualitatively, I've got it, but can you share any of the location dimensions you used? My order included a completely blank aluminum dash because I wasn't sure what I wanted at the beginning. Was your glove box an after-market product?
Further, are you mounting it using brackets below the 3/4" square tube so that it can be removed w/o removing the body? My attached drawing (so far) shows a mounting scheme wherein the mounting screws would be about 1/2" below the tubing. Not sure if that's enough so that the "rollover portion" of the body doesn't hide the mounting screws... Any ideas or comments welcome!
218220

[Ejzajac]

Has anyone simply painted the dashboard to match the color of the Cobra? Perhaps extend the stripes from the hood. Many cars in this vintage had painted accents on the dash.
Ed

[Blitzboy54]

Has anyone simply painted the dashboard to match the color of the Cobra? Perhaps extend the stripes from the hood. Many cars in this vintage had painted accents on the dash.
Ed

I can’t remember where but for sure I’ve seen that. They carried the stripe through the dash

[Jeff Kleiner]

Has anyone simply painted the dashboard to match the color of the Cobra? Perhaps extend the stripes from the hood. Many cars in this vintage had painted accents on the dash.
Ed

Did it on a customer build several years ago.

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj43/jkleiner/Aaron5171/100_5445.jpg

Jeff

[Ejzajac]

Thanks Jeff! A different and pretty slick look. Probably a challenge to get everything lined up to match the stripes.
ED

[CDXXVII]

I really like that. I'm considering what to use to cover my center console. Don't want it 'padded' but don't really want vinyl right on the metal either. This seems like a good compromise. They have different options of soft/medium soft/medium/medium hard/hard. Which consistency did you use for your dash?

I went back through my old McMaster orders and I found that I ordered this. Light Duty Blended EPDM Foam Sheet
Ultra Soft, 1/16" Thick, 42" Wide, 6' Length

www.mcmaster.com/8647K1

[edwardb]

Another suggestion. I've used the 1/8" Volare foam on both dashes and center consoles. It's a nice cushion without looking puffy. On one build though, I had plenty of leather so did two layers of leather. That actually was pretty nice. A little bit of give but not puffy. To those who think foam will cover up imperfections, I'd be careful. Take the time to get the metal finished as flat as possible. Ideally dead flat. I know I'm picky, but unless you're using really thick foam (e.g. what comes with the kit) imperfections will show though. That includes (especially...) the fill panel FF provides for the shifter hole. Don't just scab it on the top and expect it will disappear with covering. It won't...

[John Ibele]

I know this is the puffy dash look you don't want - done with 1/8" foam underneath. I'm including it for the tranny cover which you also mentioned. This tranny cover has 3/8" foam underneath ... yet I don't think looks as puffy as the dash. I think the 'puffy' look comes from cutouts, and if you don't have many on the tranny cover, which I don't, you can get the cushion and still have a hard / firm look. Just another option for you to think about.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52637691238_a5013deeb7_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2ocpVJE)
by John Ibele (https://www.flickr.com/photos/familycobra/), on Flickr