By Jim McGowan
In
the late Fifties most American car manufacturers
moved away from sewn material upholstery for seats
and door panels in favor of more durable vinyl.
Dielectrically stamped, multi-colored and patterned
door panels and seat covers were an instant success
with the automotive consumer. Most new car buyers
of the time were accustomed to installing protective
clear plastic covers over their fabric interiors,
so introducing non-breathing vinyl was no inconvenience.
Plus the bright colors and Mylar inserts brought
excitement and personalization to previously sedate
interior designs.
But, like its fabric predecessor, vinyl brought
its own set of problems. It was hot to sit on, and
adversely affected by temperature and Ultra-Violet
rays from the sun. Items padded with the foam available
at the time were particularly vulnerable to damage.
When you see a dash pad that is severely cracked
or split, chances are it is the fault of the foam.
The large air pockets present in mid- 20th century
foam were prone to expand and contract with the
ambient temperature, eventually weakening the vinyl
surface and breaking through. The vinyl surface
also became dry and brittle with age. Obviously,
the Detroit manufacturers didn't expect these cars
to last for five decades, or become popular with
collectors and restorers, so the foam technology
of the time was considered more than sufficient.
During the last quarter century, Fifties and Sixties
cars have exploded in popularity and created what
is now a major aftermarket industry; restoration
parts and services. Companies specializing in particular
marques have reproduced almost everything needed
to do a complete interior or exterior restoration.
Interior vinyl seat kits are now plentiful along
with all the trim items, head liners and carpet
kits. Plus the demand for new restoration products
is constantly growing.
The desire for factory style vinyl restoration on
original parts has resulted in the creation of several
companies. Many deal only in reproduction parts
such as door panels, dash pads and seat covers for
the most popular brands and models. Obviously that's
where the largest sales numbers are, i.e. Chevy
Camaro, Ford Mustang, etc. But there's one restoration
supplier that has taken a different road. For twenty
years Just Dashes has concentrated on restoring
original parts, regardless of the manufacturer,
using the same factory grain pattern vinyl and original
colors. They can restore almost any vinyl-covered
part you can remove from the vehicle, including
the multi-hued, Mylar trimmed, dielectric door panels.
Just Dashes uses Thermo Vacuum Forming to apply
the new vinyl to your parts. It is reminiscent of
melting cheese on your hamburger, with the hot vinyl
conforming to every contour of the part. This process
works on the most intricate shapes and items like
head rests, arm rests, dash pads, etc. To illustrate
the process we followed a space age looking 1959-'63
Cadillac dash pad through the restoration procedure
from start to finish. It's extremely interesting
to see the vacuum forming take place and watch a
badly damaged dash pad emerge like new, actually
better than new, and ready for installation.
We say better than new because the foam and vinyl
manufacturing technology is so far superior today
than that of the Fifties. The materials are more
durable and the use of closed cell, high-density
foam reduces the expansion and contraction damage.
The new vinyl has UV protection built into the material,
plus there are several products available to help
protect the surface from the elements.
Original factory dash pads were manufactured in
black vinyl and then dyed or painted to the desired
original color. Just Dashes finishes their restoration
and reproduction pads the same way. Using state-of-the-art
vinyl dye, and reference charts from the correct
time period, each part receives the correct color.
They also have a kit called Fade Away, which contains
all the products necessary to re-dye your interior
at home.
Here's the procedure on this space age looking '59
Caddy dash pad from initial inspection to packing
and shipping back to its owner. |
|
(Click Here to view a larger photograph)
When a new project arrives it is thoroughly inspected
and the amount of damage is recorded. At this time the
restoration process is decided upon. It might be completely
stripped to the metal frame or the old vinyl stripped
off and new foam installed on the old foam base, or any
number of other avenues can be taken. Regardless of the
process, the end product is always concours quality.
(Click Here to view a larger photograph)
Here we see some fairly serious damage to one of
gauge pods. In this case the pod area will have to be
rebuilt and reinforced. This pad is in very poor condition
and will require a lot of handwork to be brought back.
(Click Here to view a larger photograph)
Restoring a large dash pad requires many hours of
hand work as there are no machines to do this kind of
resto work. A new layer of closed cell high-density foam
has been installed on the core and is now being hand shaped.
Like a paint job, the prep work is 90-percent of the battle.
After the foam work has been finished, a layer of
professional grade adhesive is applied to the entire surface
of the pad. It is allowed to get tacky before the new
vinyl skin is applied.
(Click Here to view a larger photograph)
Here's the pad cooling on the vacuum table. You can
see the detail achieved by the vacuum process. After the
material is cool, the pad is cut free of the excess material,
the rags removed from underneath and then it goes to the
trim table.
(Click Here to view a larger photograph)
Approximately 3 to 4 inches of excess is left
around the edges of the item for final trimming. The
material is trimmed, wrapped and glued around all the
edges, inside the instrument cluster area, etc. Again,
each project is hand finished. This work is very labor
intensive.
(Click Here to view a larger photograph)
After the pad is trimmed it goes to the paint area
for color if required. The correct factory color is mixed,
in this case for a red interior, and carefully sprayed
on the item. Custom colors can also be mixed to order.
(Click Here to view a larger photograph)
Once the color is completely dry, the part is ready
for shipment back to it's owner, usually via UPS. Careful
packing in foam and packing peanuts insure a safe trip
home. |
