About Us

Specializing in dash pads, instrument clusters, hard plastic interior trim, plastic re-chroming, molded door panels, and more.

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Celebrating over three decades of interior vinyl restoration!

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Craftsmen create the best products, using the best materials and the best technology for the world’s best vehicles.

Fellow Car Enthusiast,

Thank you for your interest in Just Dashes! Since 1981, we have been proud to be able to assist you in restoring the vinyl interior of your vehicle. We specialize in only concourse quality vinyl restoration for most domestic and import cars and trucks.

Like you, we are dedicated to the old car restoration hobby and want to make available the best quality interior parts anywhere. We DO NOT sell “quick fix” products.

Over the years we have pioneered new restoration techniques, invested in specific tooling, and in some cases, even custom manufactured correct grain vinyl for your satisfaction. Our craftsmen and management are interested in producing only the very best products, in the most environmentally reasonable manner.

Thanks to you, we have been able to achieve over 40 years of business through friendly service, listening to the input of our customers and providing the best product available on the market today. We don’t sell caps, covers or imperfect reproductions. We treat your interior parts like they are our own, and our hands craftsmanship speaks for itself. All of our parts are restored here in Los Angeles, CA.

Just Dashes is unquestionably the best interior vinyl parts restoration company on the planet, just ask any enthusiast or professional who has used our services.

Thank you for your business and trust in Just Dashes.

Sincerely,

Jason Tessler
CEO & 2nd Generation Owner

How We Do It

Today, the problem car restorers are facing is the padded portion of the dash is usually weather worn and cracked. Depending on where you live, the dash could reach temperatures as high as 120-degrees in the summer, or drop to 40-degrees below in the winter months. After years of expansion and contraction by the foam padding, the original vinyl material would eventually get brittle and crack as well.

Pontiac used a very strong vinyl, which they called Morrokide in the ’60s, so these dashes are generally in better condition than vinyl materials from other manufacturers, but they can still take a beating from Mother Nature. Having gone through all the proper inspections, a closer look reveals cracks all over the dash. In the western states, the heat will turn the dash material brittle and cracks such as these ones become commonplace.

Step 1

These photos show the lengths our Just Dashes craftsmen will go to save an original pad. All the dried and flaking foam is being removed prior to adding a new layer of state-of-the-art foam. The old material must be removed first and that is usually done with a small hand grinder.

The grinder will remove the vinyl first and if the padding underneath is still in good condition, it does not need to be removed. If it is crumbling, the material can be sanded off to bare metal. This dash pad actually had foam that was in still in good condition.

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Step 2

Once the deteriorated vinyl and foam have been removed, the dash pad is recovered with thin foam that has to be glued to the metal or existing foam. This must be done very carefully to get the contour and shape of the original dash correct. Original parts are tested for proper fit.

After the foam is glued to the framework, the pad can be sanded and hand shaped back to it’s original contours. This will remove any lumps or bumps that might exist. It will also get the curves perfect so the final covering will look correct.

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Step 3

The surface of the foam is then sprayed with adhesive to bind it to the hot vinyl during the vacuum forming process. The glue must be applied very evenly for a completely level surface. The slightest imperfection will show from under the new vinyl skin. Every square inch of this dash will be concealed with this adhesive, so that the vinyl and foam remain in tact for years to come.

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Step 4

The dash is installed on the Thermo Vacuum Forming machine and prepared for recovering. Every nook and cranny must be filled around and under the part to provide support so it doesn’t collapse under the pressure created by the vacuum. Our machine is ready with material to be applied to the dashes in our assembly line.

Here at Just Dashes, we have researched all of the early cars and have matched up all the correct materials for them. The dash covering material is connected to a rack and then it is fed into a heating oven to get it very pliable. When the vinyl reaches it’s proper temperature, the dash is lifted into the vinyl.

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Step 5

After the material is vacuum formed over the dash, the hot vinyl is water cooled with spray bottles of cold water. This cooling takes a little time and the entire perimeter of the dash has to be cooled off before final removal from the machine. When the material is cool to the touch, the surrounding material is trimmed with a razor blade.

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Step 6

The dash now goes to the hand finishing area. The vinyl is glued around the edges and the restoration process completed. It is important to leave a small amount of excess material so it can be wrapped around the back of the dash pad.

Using a heat gun to get the material pliable once again, the vinyl is folded over to the back of the framework and is glued in place. This has to be done very carefully to make sure it looks seamless once installed in the car. From there it’s on to the quality control area.

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Step 7

Finally we are ready for the finishing touches. Test fitting trim parts like vent bezels, glove box doors, lower steering column trim, ash trays and instrument bezels, are vital to the overall restoration. This will ensure proper fit for re-assembly once your part arrives.

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Revitalize Your Car Today!

Just Dashes is the interior parts restoration company of choice when only the best will do.