DIY Dashpad repairs

[Surfmichaels]

I'm looking for some tips on DIY Dashpad repairs. My Dashpad is in very rough condition with the vinyl brittle like eggshell in many exposed locations on the dash. The foam underneath is also iffy and dented and Totally missing in a couple spots. The PO had loosely covered it with foam and vinyl but it looked horrible. I have found this link to be insightful but was hoping someone else has taken this road as a new dash pad is no cheap at all.

http://roykeithclassics.com/Dash_Pad_Repair.html

This looks like a good guide but I have not yet found a clear source for the closed cell foam. Eastwood has one product but it looks like a crack filler not sure how it would hold up in the volume I need.

Factory exact is not a major concern as this will not be a show car, it will be a street/ road course car that I hope will look very tidy.
 Thanks

[72cudamaan]

If you're not willing to spend the big bucks for a new dash pad the best you
can do is a dash cover. It won't look original but when installed properly, look decent.
And the are usually under a couple hundred bucks. I, and some others have tried your way first and it almost
always turns into a huge fiasco and mess. I never could get the moulding lines crisp.

[burdar]

My advice is this...

Buy a can of SEM interior paint the color of your dash pad.  Clean and spray the lower half of the pad with the SEM paint.  Then buy one of those carpeted dash kits to lay over the upper section.  Finally, start saving for a new pad.  In the long run I think this is your best coarse of action.  You could put a cap on it but they don't usually fit very well.  Then you're stuck with it.  Putting the carpet on the pad will temporarily hide all the cracks and give you some time to save up your money.

[brads70]

Not trying to be a wise guy here but.... My Grandfather had a saying in regards to tools
" If you can't afford to buy the best then.... WAIT TILL YOU CAN AFFORD THE BEST"
Sucks but it applies to this too. Mine was in about the same sorry shape as yours and covered with upholstery vinyl. It "hurt" but I bit the bullet and got a dash pad from Dave at Roseville and am very happy with it. If you figure your going to be constantly looking at this part when ever you are driving it.... ?
  

[Surfmichaels]

I know I'm crazy. Its not the cost that I'm avoiding its that I have this thought in my mind that I can do everything myself. Proper sandable foam didn't look that far off from blocking a body, And how cool would it be to rebuild everything from scratch...  I only live 20 minutes from just dashes so technically I would save 200-300 in shipping costs from the average joe. I called some local interior guys today and didn't make alot of progress so maybe I will throw in the towel on this one.    Thanks for the feedback, this car inspires alot of crazy dreaming, which is almost as much fun as driving it.....