Section : Dashboard and Instruments

Crash Pad

Posted By : Jonathan Swainbank, 19-Sep-2005, 02:08pm

Have got a new (plastic) crash pad for my MKII spitfire. Am I right in thinking it fits over the top of the existing one? Can someone who has done it before give me any tips?

Do I glue it, does it fit under the Window frame?

Thanks

Followups :

Crash Pad

Posted By : Michael Blow, 21-Sep-2005, 00:17am

I'm assuming you mean the top of the dash... I haven't ever re-covered mine in plastic, but I did do it in leather 6yrs ago. Ordinary trimmers adhesive worked fine and, yes, I did it the easy way by glueing straight over the plastic. It was deemed to dodgy to try and get the old plastic off, but if your existing plastic top is cracked, then this might show from underneath any new covering. BTW the leather was about 2mm thick (much thicker than plastic) but it didn't hinder the re-fitting process in any way.

Not much use, but I hope it helps!

Mike
- Crash Pad
  
  Posted By : Jonathan Swainbank, 21-Sep-2005, 12:05pm
  
  Mike,
  
  Thanks for that, sounds like it will be a better finish if I recover it in leather. Thanks again
  - Crash Pad
    
    Posted By : Mark Stradling, 21-Sep-2005, 01:50pm
    
    I re-covered my dash top with vinal, and didn't have any real problems slipping a layer of 5mm thick foam under that as well.
    
    I don't know what Spit. dash tops are MEANT to feal like, but mine was as solid a stone!
- Crash Pad
  
  Posted By : Paul Beeson, 02-Feb-2006, 01:15pm
  
  Hi Mark,
  
  That sounds like an excellent idea.
  Where did you get your leather fabric? Was it expensive? Did it have to be a special type of leather?
  
  Has it faded over the years?
  
  Cheers,
  Paul
  - Crash Pad
    
    Posted By : Mark Stradling, 02-Feb-2006, 10:48pm
    
    I'm assuming you meant Mike, but at a guess any upholstery leather would do - if it doesn't faid on your sofa I don't see why it should in your car.
    
    There are a few people who sell leather hides on eBay too which might be worth a punt.
Crash Pad

Posted By : Julian Saul, 21-Sep-2005, 02:54pm

I fitted a crash pad cover to my '79 Spitfire 1500 during its restoration. I too was surprised on receiving it, expecting a complete dashboard top.
Having filled a number of large cracks in the surface of the old dash top with a silicone sealer and trimming down the excess, I fitted the cover straight on top of the old dash top and secured it with the heater/ventilation outlets.
It fits a treat and there is little to distinguish it from the "original" as far as I can see.
- Crash Pad
  
  Posted By : Jonathan Swainbank, 22-Sep-2005, 01:13pm
  
  Glad I'm not the only one that was surprised. Thanks for your message. I think I'll try your way first as opposed to the way suggested by the suppliers, i.e take off the old pad entirely and fit the new one over the bare metal.
  
  Thanks, I'll let you know how I get on.
  
  Jonathan