15 replies to this topic

[conrad]

Hey Guys

Decided i am going to buy one of the plain MDF dashboards and then cover it with self adhesive vinyl.

What I was wondering was:

Is it worth gluing on a bit of padding of some sort underneath first?

I have never done it before so any tips and tricks/advice is more than welcome!

Thanks

Conrad

[LESTA MINI]

hey, ive made loads of these, i always ask people what they want, on mine its just mdf then spray glue then fake leather. my brothers is mdf thin foam padding and then fake leather.

depends on what you want, i prefer my brothers with a bit of foam.

[conrad]

hey, ive made loads of these, i always ask people what they want, on mine its just mdf then spray glue then fake leather. my brothers is mdf thin foam padding and then fake leather.

depends on what you want, i prefer my brothers with a bit of foam.

You reckon it is worth having something there then?

Where can i get the foam from?

Cheers

[LESTA MINI]

yer i prefer it, i get my foam from a business that my dad does business with so cant help you there im afraid.

you dont need a thick piece i go for the thinest i can get most times, depends really on what i get in a box.

[dhende84]

Where I work, all our dashes and "hard" interior trim is covered in foam then leathered.
Padding helps hide small blemishes in the substrate and also helps hide panels gaps a little/reduce wear on edges.
The foam can be expensive but worth it.

[conrad]

Where I work, all our dashes and "hard" interior trim is covered in foam then leathered.
Padding helps hide small blemishes in the substrate and also helps hide panels gaps a little/reduce wear on edges.
The foam can be expensive but worth it.

ok thanks for the help! I thought it would help!

I've decided to go for something a little different. It going to be blackboard/chalkboard vinyl! Can right on with chalk or chalk markers! thought it would be a good laugh with friends!

Conrad

[LESTA MINI]

cant wait to see that one at shows, ill bring my chalk

[conrad]

cant wait to see that one at shows, ill bring my chalk

i sure hope it cleans ok! i dread to think some of the things that will be added hahaha

Conrad

[dhende84]

Save yourself some cash and get yourself some blackboard paint, bit like a sign outside a pub.

[conrad]

Save yourself some cash and get yourself some blackboard paint, bit like a sign outside a pub.

Good idea.

I have found some chalk pens similar effect. they wipe of with a damp cloth.

Conrad

[dhende84]

Surely this is cheaper than foam and vinyl and should serve your purposes nicely. Also if someone does write something that doesn't shift, out comes the paint brush!

[conrad]

Surely this is cheaper than foam and vinyl and should serve your purposes nicely. Also if someone does write something that doesn't shift, out comes the paint brush!

Hmmm it is definitely cheaper, but i dont think it will have as nice a finish. I then having a bit of padding then the vinyl gives a nice dash look. Whereas having the paint only direct on to the hard wood, im not sure this would look as nice.

[1984mini25]

I've always just stuck my vinyl down directly onto the dash for al the ones I’ve made and covered. Paint will work providing you prep it just like a car panel, so prime and sand it till perfectly smooth and then top coat.

[E-Tizzle]

ive covered the old mini dash in leather and it looks great.
i didnt put padding underneath but obviously it was already there.
my tips would be, cover the bottom rail aswell to match otherwise it might look a bit wierd. if your making it, are you keeping the bottom one origional? or just making one large mdf dash?
another tip is dont glue for a long time in a small area, because i spent about 2 hourse gluing on the floor in my room and i was quite ill afterwards, so make sure its well ventalated.
also, get a load of those little clamps, they are really useful for holding it down, sometimes it needs to stay there to hold, especially if its been stretched slightly, so they are a must.
also, when you spray the glue, leave it for about 10 seconds, then it will go tacky and the leather should just stick straight to it. if you spray and then put straight on, the glue will still be all wet and then you have to hold it there while it sets.

heres some pictures of mine in the car. (it does look much better now that its all finished and carpets in and everything, but i havnt got a pic of that)




well i hope you found some of that helpful.
and good luck

elliot

[conrad]

ive covered the old mini dash in leather and it looks great.
i didnt put padding underneath but obviously it was already there.
my tips would be, cover the bottom rail aswell to match otherwise it might look a bit wierd. if your making it, are you keeping the bottom one origional? or just making one large mdf dash?
another tip is dont glue for a long time in a small area, because i spent about 2 hourse gluing on the floor in my room and i was quite ill afterwards, so make sure its well ventalated.
also, get a load of those little clamps, they are really useful for holding it down, sometimes it needs to stay there to hold, especially if its been stretched slightly, so they are a must.
also, when you spray the glue, leave it for about 10 seconds, then it will go tacky and the leather should just stick straight to it. if you spray and then put straight on, the glue will still be all wet and then you have to hold it there while it sets.

Thanks for the great tips!

Even if those photos aren't the finished product it looks great!

I will cover the bottom rail as well.

Cheers