Dash and Dashpad - What to do?

I repainted my dash last winter. My dash pad was in great shape so didn't do anything to it.
The dash color should be your interior paint color.
I went to a store that mixed/sold PPG paint. I sprayed mine on using a paint gun. The place I went to will also put it in a spray can.
Dash I sanded it down to metal, wiped it down, primed it and sprayed it. I had to do this three times before it wouldn't fish eye.
Lots of grease, grime, polish, etc that's worked it's way into the metal.
It takes time to do it right, probably had 20-30 hours into mine when I was finished, but it looks great.
Like j par said light coats of paint and let it dry. Also WEAR GLOVES!!.
I see the dash pads for sale on here and e-bay. You could always go that way if possible and dye it to you color.