240Z Dash with cracks - Cap or Refinish?

[Namerow]

The dash in my 1970 Z has the usual cracks (although not so extreme as some examples I've seen other owners post on this site). I'm in the middle of restoring the car's interior and, at this stage, the dash is only a few bolts and connectors shy of being ready to pull out of the car. I've already removed all of the instruments for service and they're now refurbished and ready to go back in. Same for the heater box, radio and centre console.

The issue is that I already have a full dash cap ready to be installed. I'm torn between going that route (cap) as opposed to pulling the dash and doing the foam-and-bedliner refinish.

I don't expect that I'll ever get this close to pulling the dash again (and I know it would make re-installing the instruments a heck of a lot easier, too), but after reading what seems like dozens of postings on the dash refurbish process, I feel like I'm detecting a little bit of 'good-but-not-great/your-results-may differ' sentiment. It's also hard to get a good sense from the pictures posted about just how close to OE appearance the end result really is (i.e. surface texture and gloss).

I know that caps aren't a 100%-perfect solution either, but at least I can see what the end result will look like because it's sitting right in front of me (and it looks ok).

So: Can anyone offer a compelling reason for (or against) either of the two options?

[imthestig]

You could go ahead and try refurbish the dash, that way you have the experience under your belt. Then you will have both in front of you to make a choice! Like your refurb result and use that so you can sell the cap, or it comes up mehh and you use the cap but gain an experience

[Travel'n Man]

I would knock it out if it were mine - if not the "I wish I would have done that" syndrome will fall upon you...............that is going to my next winter project. I'm going to attempt to knock it out myself and if I don't like the results I will send it off to be re-skinned.

[psdenno]

As close as you are to the dash being removed, I'd be tempted to pull it and try the rebuild and bed liner fix. Keep in mind that if you don't like the result, you may have a hard time installing the full dash cover due modifying the original dash size and shape a bit with foam and texture. Let us know which fix you choose.

Dennis

[Oiluj]

I agree with the others. No time like now to attempt a repair or send off for a professional re-cover. You will likely never remove the dash again.

[ktm]

I'll be the dissenting voice. The dash caps are known entities and you know what it will look like when completed. I have a half dash cap on mine and I think it looks great. If I were going to refinish my dash, I would send it out and be done with it.

[madkaw]

I've done both and i understand your dilemma. Neither fix will give you the look you want if you are a perfectionist or you are looking for that soft vinyl look, so keep that in mind.

The dash cover was more work then I thought to make it look really good. I used a heat gun on certain spots for the cover to follow the original lines of the dash better. Then there is the issues of the gauges that are difficult to remove with the dash cap on. Lastly , the cap doesn't cover everything. The cap falls short along side of the heater panel.

I was real happy with my dash repair, except it isn't holding up. I drive my car a lot and I can see cracks reappearing. Maaybe my fix wasn't done right.

I'd almost consider paying the 1000$ for a professionallly repaired dash next time,

or, I am taking a dash to a CF fabricator to see about having one made completely from CF!!

[EuroDat]

I would be tempted to remove and repair the dash. If it doesn't meet expextations, you can always go the cap route.

My Zed has a cap and my clock don't work. I would like to fix the clock, but I can't get it out with the cap in place:(

If you do go with the cap, make sure everthing is working perfectly before you fit is.

Chas

[zclocks]

EuroDat,

Your clock is removed through the glove box which doesn't involve the dash cap.

Zclock