Rewrapped my dashpad + 3 gauge pod

[TT'74]

After finishing up my trunk I got full of myself and decided to modify and the rewrap my original dashcap (had 2 cracks in it). I bough the gauge pod from "glowshift" on ebay. I'm waiting on a some parts before I instal the gauges in the pod.

My first attempt at this came out not so good. I couldn't get the vinyl to stretch enough and stay tight around the gauge pod.

So, on this second attempt I elected to wrap it in two pieces. First I got the pod wrapped to where I was satisfied with it. Then I trimmed a hole in the second piece of vinyl for the gauge pod to slip through. So there is a seam that shows all the way around. For what I'm doing it is ok, far from show quality. But I prefer the gauges in this location for ease of viewing and having them wrapped looks better than exposed gauges.

 

[dustinmoran91]

Did you try a heat gun while stretching the vinyl?

 

[TT'74]

Did you try a heat gun while stretching the vinyl?

Ya, I heated it up. The ~2.5" drop was just too much, it wouldn't quite stretch far enough. I stopped at an upholstery shop here in town and asked them how they would go about if (after my failed attempt). They said that they would have made 3 pieces to cover the gauge pod and one for the cap and sown them all together.

 

[70Duster440]

Here's another tip. Apply MEK and remove the cloth backing. You're left with rubbery sheet of vinyl that will pretty much go wherever you want without wrinkles.

 

[74DartSwinger360]

Got a pic with gauges mounted?

 

[TT'74]

Car is at the shop right now, I probably won't get out there till this weekend. But, I'll get some pics with the gauges installed when I'm out there.

 

[rlevs]

thats nice i like that I had that gage pod in my truck.