Dash treatments

[Michael C Henry]

I have an older EM 427 SC replica w/textured black painted dash.It is rusting around the gauges. There is no glovebox or side pockets in doors and the carpet is just fuz ,it's a bare bones look.Everything is stored under the lower seat cushion.Ive seen others go to a bare alluminum,Idon't want that.The wife wants to have it vinyl or leather covered.The wood look isn't for this car. Any Ideas? I've thought about powder coating my old dash or even buying a new dash w/a glovebox. What are the things you've seenand heard?

[427sharpe]

It's very easy to cover the dash in leather or vinyl--leather will hold up much better, but vinyl is easier to work with and maintain. Just go to a Hobby Lobby (or similar store--sells arts and crafts, etc..) and get a piece of thin (1/4 inch or so) padding -- headliner padding is ideal-- and glue it to the dash, then stretch the vinyl or leather over it, and attach with hot glue or upholstery cement on the back edges. Takes about 1-2 hours. Work out the wrinkles, cut the dash holes with an exacto knife and put it back together. I did mine because the aluminum tended to generate a lot of glare.