[esahlin]

I'm trying to figure out a way to cover my dash that I have covered in closed cell foam. The dash is from a 68 camaro/firebird and I am looking for ideas.

I tried covering it with a large piece of vinyl (Whisper) and it ended up fitting well (after much stretching on the ends) except on the left and right sides. I had to cut a slit in the vinyl on each side to get a large fold out.

So I am thinking I am going to have to sew it in a spot or two.....but I am having a bit of trouble visualizing where to sew. I would like to keep the sewing as hidden as possible........ and maybe I could just sew where I had the folds occur in the previous one.

I posted a few of the pics I already have.

See if I can get some pics of my one piece cover job so you can see where I had to cut a slit in the vinyl.

[DanTwoLakes]

It's really hard to visualize without more pictures. That's a tough job, and you probably won't be able to do this without some seams that are going to show quite noticeably.

[Speach]

Warming the vinyl up and stretching it out a bit more may help?

[DanTwoLakes]

It's not possible to heat up the vinyl and have it stay warm long enough to do any good. The vinyl will just cool off before it can be applied to the dash pad. Stretching vinyl can only do so much. Nothing you do to vinyl will make it turn a 90 degree corner without wrinkling.

[kiWigrEEne]

.. So .. one piece won't cover the drivers' side "gauge visor" then transition to the rest of the dash without horrible wrinkles & ugliness.. Is my only option two separate pieces stitched at the angle where they meet? Also, I unfortunately already tried the heat & stretch method (before I found you guys,) is there a way to lessen or rid the vinyl of the resulting pucker? I seriously hope so. <sigh>

[DanTwoLakes]

Impossible to give you much advice without knowing what vehicle you're working on or seeing what you're dealing with. Can you post some pictures? Vinyl can only stretch so much, and you can't make sharp angles or compound turns with one piece. That means tailoring the vinyl to fit the object in question. The vinyl is probably shot if it is puckered.

[kiWigrEEne]

I understand. I don't have ready access to a computer, but I will post pix ASAP. I laid out a pattern since my post in case I have to use multiple pieces, but I'm also considering possibly changing the problem angle/area, though I find myself over-thinking how to do that. Should I mask off the area in plastic & spray foam to build it up, or layer foam scraps, sculpt it down then top it with a piece of backboard (stuff you find on the back of a notepad,) before I cover it. The Vinyl I'm using is backed with 1/2" sew-foam that I fabricated so I think it will be a forgiving top layer. I've spent way too much time on this already (working for free at this point); I'm pulling my hair out; however, my name is on it so I'll work until it looks right. My next post will hopefully have a note of success (a well a pictures.) Thanks for your time!

[DanTwoLakes]

Gluing the vinyl to sew foam did not help your cause. The sew foam would stretch less than the vinyl by itself. The firmer the base you have, the better the vinyl will work. What vehicle is this going on?