68 Dash Pad - Again

[jeff68]

I was looking through the new Rick's catalog and saw that they are advertising a new vinyl wrapped 68 dash pad with a steel core.  Now, I remember a few years back that they had a similar dash pad but it wasn't available for too long.  I would like to install a new dash pad on my 68 when it finally goes back together, but I really don't want a poor quality OER reproduction.  I also don't want to 'sacrifice' my original dash pad to have it restored since it is in fairly good shape.
Has anyone had any experience with this latest version of the 68 dash pad? 
http://www.rickscamaros.com/product.asp?pf%5Fid=DP%2D53&dept%5Fid=3373

[hotrod68]

Jeff, I don't have any experience with the new repro pad, but I can tell you if you can save your original pad, do it. I assure you, almost anything repro will likely not fit right, will have an incorrect grain or shape, or will simply cost too much for what you get. I'm not knocking repro stuff--just saying it's seldom as good or as exact as the GM original parts. Good luck!

[jeff68]

I know what you mean.  I restored a set of original GM deluxe door panels after having a horrible experience with the repros.  They may not be absolutely perfect, but they are much better than the repros.  My original dash pad only has one small hairline crack - it is only visible from about 6" away, and the edges of the crack haven't started lifting.  The color needs to be freshened up, so I was considering just giving it a re-dye.  I hate to send it off to someone like Just Dashes to be 'restored', since they would end up stripping it to the bare core and starting over.  I guess I'll wait to see how this new reproduction fits before doing anything.

[Ed Ernst]

You might check these folks out.  They do some nice work:  http://justdashes.com/Products.htm

[hotrod68]

On a sidenote, Jeff, since your pad only has a hairliine crack--check with your local upholstery shops to see if they can fuse the crack back together and stop it from spreading. Some have heat patch material with the right--or very close--grain patterns, and it's a simple job to a pro to fix a crack. Just a thought, and good luck again.