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A dash board cover is usually a molded piece that fits over you current dash pad. The only one I've seen was on a 69 mustang and it actually looked good. Good original dash pads are hard to find especially in the color you want. A cover is an alternative.
The cap is a thin plastic shell that is glued on top of an original. The problem with installation, is the original pad is usually swollen and cracked which makes the cap not fit as tight to the dash as needed. I had to take a boxcutter and cut a half inch off the edge facing the rear. I had to cut out on each side of the cracked section. Don't be afraid to trim generously as it will all be hidden. It took about 30 min. to trim the old pad up enough to allow the cover to fit within about one eight inch or closer to the face of the dash. Take your time and make sure it fits as close as possible. It will not fit perfect everywhere but close enough not to be noticeable..
Then you ruff-up the area to be glued with sandpaper.
The kit comes with a tube of clear adhesive that you apply to the dash pad in a few pencil size stripes. It does not take much to hold it in place if you take the time to fit it proper. If you use to much adhesive it will want to bow up when it sits in the sun. It needs to move and expand to the hot and cold. I use wire ties in the defroster vents and hook bungee cords from the wire ties to the bottom of the dash to hold the cap in place until the glue dries.
I have done several of these and the end result is about 98% satisfactory. If you are building a show truck, buy a new pad.
If its a daily driver, the cap will look good, most folks could not tell unless they are trying to determine if it is a cap or a new pad.
I live in the south and good crack-free pads are almost impossible to find. This is a cheep alternative. I can cap one in about 45 min.
Dash covers are pretty expensive, and brand new dash pads are ridiculous! I was able to find a good used dash pad on eBay for about $60 including shipping.
I bought a molded from a plasticized rubber like stuff, it just goes over the factory pad. It's got the grain look, fits so well It just softly snaps into place, that I did not even consider using the silicone that came with it. It's black, but my cracked (5 places) stock one is red, but it's totally hidden now. I already had a black carpet like cover I use too. I got mine from Auto Krafters just up the road a short spell.
Above is without the carpet top cover, below is with it.
I was looking for one the other night for a fellow, not sure they have them now but others do, like LMC or Dennis Carpenter.
I bought a cheap replacement dash pad for about $125.
Its 1000 times better than the severely cracked factory dash pad.
If I ever replace it I will spend the $425 for a nice one from Dennis Carpenter.
