I'm looking to do something about my cracked dash pads, but no one sells any already finished jade green. Has anyone used one from LMC and just painted it? I'd hate to spend as much as they're asking and just mess it up.

 

Do they make a cover or just the pad?
I ask because for the 80-86 trucks they make both. If the pad is not to bad you can just put the cover on it, looks and fits just like the pad or if you like to spend more money go for the pad.

There is nothing wrong with painting it if it is prepped right and can get the right color.
I would not use anything but SEM products for something like this I just don't know if they make your color or not.
As with any painting it is all in the prep. Use a degreaser on the part first then wash the new part 3 or 4 times with soap & water and again with degreaser.
SEM makes a prep spray that helps the paint stick and then paint. I was also told to use a semi gloss clear over the top to help protect it from UV rays.
You don't want to use gloss as it will reflect light back in your eyes and just not look right.

You can get SEM thru your local auto paint supplier and if SEM does not have your color they might be able to mix the color for you just make sure they know what you will be using it on.

BTW I have a cover for my 81 F100 but the color is off just a little so I will be using SEM to color match the main dash that I have already done. I also have the 2 door panels, kick panels and seat belt parts to paint yet.
Dave ----

 

LMC doesn't make it, they're buying it from another source, possibly justdashes.com in Van Nuys CA

 

I haven't been very impressed with anything LMC related. My dad spent several hundred $ replacing all the weather stripping on the doors and windows and they lasted 2 years before they literally crumbled into pieces. That, combined with flimsy tail light lenses that crack in cold weather, a headlight switch that never worked, a dash carpet pad that faded from black to a weird red wine color within 6 months and a few other minor parts and I won't be buying from LMC again. They provide a plethora of parts, but no real quality that I've seen. I guess that's why their commercials hype their "service" rather than their quality. Maybe it's bad luck on my end, but unless it's made of metal the don't seem to use any quality materials.

 

Jade Green is one of those colors that isn't reproduced. Your options are painting it or leaving it black. Personally, I prefer the latter.... it's not like these rigs are highly sought after in terms of originality.

I'd avoid LMC's soft goods items... their formulations don't hold up well to UV or heat exposure as commented above. I prefer to get my soft rubber and plastic products from National Parts Depot.

 

I got an expensive one from Dennis Carpenter about 15 years ago. It’s still hanging in there. The only thing I had to do was fabricate a support for the middle leg because it came loose.

I recently painted it with SEM black, and it looks great.

I would also avoid LMC, unless you are on a strict budget.

 

It's not hard for an upholstery shop to recover it in matching vinyl. You do have to take it off.

 

Very recently I saw a green dash pad and door panel set for sale on rockauto. Planning on ordering it for my truck once funds allow.

 

The guy I had recover my seats told me to bring him some extra material and he could do the dash no problem... Idk how or how much but he did a good job for me and seemed to be very knowledgeable.

BTW this is in my 78. It's green. One of my posts on it I have Info to where I bought the correct NOS material for the ranger seat. Company somebody refered off the here.

 

Thanks for all of the input, guys. I went ahead and ordered a neutral grey one with the ultimate goal of having it painted. I may try and do it myself if I can find the correct green.