dash recovering

Just Dashes out in California provides recovering services for that dash. We're hoping to get our dashboard back any day now for the Adventurer we are restoring.

$1200 plus shipping/handling.

The dash is fastened with fasteners at the front, and then at the back (near the glass) it is clipped into a retainer. Once the dash is unfastened from the leading edge, you should be able to gently lift it and push it towards the front of the car to release it from the retainer.

I had my upholstery guy look at the dash to consider covering it, but the shape and the forward tapered edge was more difficult than it appears at first glance. The tapered leading edge requires correct forming and appropriate strength, which is time consuming at best if done by hand, and the results are not necessarily satisfactory.

Your information is great news.
As I am not near the car and can't check, are the fasteners at front a back of the dash panel accesible from the top where you get at them from sitting or are these fasteners up and under the dash which requires the famous "lay on your back with your bi-focals on upside down"?
Regards
Mike D

The instrument panel safety cushion would have been an extra cost option on the 56 Firedome. Most of these were made without this option. Those without the padded dash had metal panel with a black matte finish. I suspect the panel underneath the padding would have been the standard panel. If you didn't want to spend the money to replace the padding, you could possibly remove the adhesive and repaint the panel. This would not be as original but would be like most other Firedomes & Fireflites.

Mac

Mike...it's been a long time since I removed my non-covered '55 dash panel (same setup as '56). However, as Tim describes it is relatively easy to remove from up top if you remove all the appropriate fasteners. No need to crawl upside down. Take your time and it should come out easily.

I had a dash done by Just Dashes. They did a nice job. The dash was all cracked and peeling with the foam all dried up. So the shape of the dash could be determined. If your dash is basically gone, they will need to know the shape - which they may very well know. It was not a DeSoto but the DeSoto may be easier.

thanks to all for the helpful tips
My dashboard was indeed only painted and not vinyl covered.
Screw removal was uneventful and dash is off ready to be repainted
regards
Mike DeLapp

Your dash was painted in a low gloss in order to reduce reflective glare. It was also a textured paint, which is a little tricky to duplicate, but can be done with some diligence.

Just think; you just saved over $1200!

Mike,

Tim makes a good point about the paint type used for the dash pad. You'll want to use low gloss or matte finish to reduce glare. I purchased an advertisement from some sort of 1955 industrial magazine promoting Bakelite brand industrial coatings. Apparently, they provided the paint used for the '55 dash panel top as the ad features prominently the '55 DeSoto dash. From the ad:

"The 1955 De Soto dashboards have a new glare-proof, highly wear-proof wrinkle finish based on BAKELITE Vinyl Dispersion Resins. This coating is unaffected by oil smudges, grease, water, and most chemicals. They simply wipe off without staining."

Good luck. Post a photo of your finish painted dash if you are able.

Mark