Dash Color Change--Tan to Black | FerrariChat
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Dash Color Change--Tan to Black

Discussion in '308/328' started by AaronMeisner, Jan 17, 2016.

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  1. AaronMeisner

    AaronMeisner Formula Junior

    Jul 15, 2014
    267
    Baltimore MD USA
    Full Name:
    Aaron Meisner
    #1 AaronMeisner, Jan 17, 2016
    I have an '84 QV in grigio with a tan interior. Not an uncommon combination, though I have to say that the red interior with grigio is my favorite. My car has one unusual feature--a tan dash. My guess is that the original owner may have figured out that these cars get pretty hot in the sun, and may have thought that a tan dash might help.

    What s/he didn't figure out is that the glare off the windshield is just unbelievable. Like dangerous.

    So I have long been contemplating a change from tan to black. The "correct" way to do this is to pull the dash and have it recovered in the correct vinyl, and I expect that I may do that at some point. But with other projects taking up my time, I'm researching a short-cut for the time being. The idea would be to just spray it with the World Upholstery black dye with the dash in place:

    Upholstery & Carpet Dyes from World Upholstery & Trim

    If I pull the dash, it then just makes more sense to send it off to be professionally re-covered. So the shortcut is the only way this makes sense.

    Has anyone done this? Words of wisdom? Guidance? Warnings? Screaming pleas of "don't do it?!" Tips?

    Thanks!

    Aaron
     
  2. Donfjones

    Donfjones Rookie

    Mar 21, 2014
    27
    Kent, Washington
    Full Name:
    Don
    #2 Donfjones, Jan 17, 2016
    They do make a custom fit fabric for the dash. Mine came with one from a previous owner, but I never use it. I think you can find them at Italian car parts online or t. Rutlands.


    308DJ
     
  3. dflett

    dflett Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Jun 24, 2005
    1,632
    NY
    Full Name:
    David
    #3 dflett, Jan 17, 2016
    I have a black felt cover that I don't use it after recovering my dash. It worked at stopping glare but it used to slide off and move which was annoying.

    My advice would be pull the dash and recover it properly rather than attempt to redye. It's not a huge job... Gauges out. Undo 5 bolts and then pullllllllllll.

    Of course then the dash might look so good it makes the rest look bad so you end up doing everything.
     
  4. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 4, 2001
    36,618
    Birmingham, AL
    Full Name:
    Tommy
    #4 Dr Tommy Cosgrove, Jan 17, 2016
    It's your car, no question, but it is also unique and rare. The factory made a few like that. Boxers too.

    Just something about. :)
     
  5. ME308

    ME308 Formula 3

    Nov 5, 2003
    1,550
    Munich, Germany
    Full Name:
    Michael
    #5 ME308, Jan 17, 2016

    do it once and do it correct !

    I had my cluster hood re-upholstered in black ... took me 20min to get it out (o.k., I know how it had to come out) -
    to take out the whole dash, takes you 90min (o.k., maybe if Murphy`s law strikes and everything works against you, plan for 3 hours)

    and no, you don`t have to take out the windscreen ;)


    anyway, definitely worth doing it right !
     
  6. John M

    John M Formula Junior

    Nov 18, 2004
    888
    Kentucky
    #6 John M, Jan 17, 2016
    I think a redye would work fine and look good providing the material on the dash is in good shape. You could rub the good stuff in with a sponge. You could mask everything and spray it with a HVLP gun. With that said.....

    I wouldn't destroy a very unique, factory feature of this car, I would find a work around that would preserve the original dash, while allowing you to drive the car safely. If it were mine, and it was a factory installed option, I would personally go the fitted black felt route and keep that tan dash.
     
  7. AaronMeisner

    AaronMeisner Formula Junior

    Jul 15, 2014
    267
    Baltimore MD USA
    Full Name:
    Aaron Meisner
    #7 AaronMeisner, Jan 17, 2016
    I hear you about preserving the factory feature, but this is a seriously dangerous situation. I don't see any benefit to having the most original dash in the scrapyard. You literally cannot see at all under certain conditions. Imagine closing your eyes and counting slowly to five while driving. It's extremely disconcerting to go for multiple seconds trying to steer by memory.
     
  8. Mattitude

    Mattitude Rookie

    Jan 21, 2013
    32
    Charleston, SC
    Full Name:
    Matthew
    #8 Mattitude, Jan 17, 2016
    Aaron,

    I also have the dash cover that a couple of people mentioned above (328 GTS). Was on the car when I purchased it. It does have a tendency to move around a little, but it really only needs reset every two or three drives.

    Mine is apparently made by CoverCraft, and is called a 'Dash-Saver'. If you can find one for the right price, seems like it would at least be a safe and quick short-term solution.

    -Matt

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Sent from my LGLS990 using Tapatalk
     
  9. John M

    John M Formula Junior

    Nov 18, 2004
    888
    Kentucky
    #9 John M, Jan 17, 2016
    I get your difficulty. As I said in my first post, if it were mine, and it was a factory installed option, I would personally go the fitted black felt route and keep that tan dash. With the fitted black felt dash cover, your glare goes away, and your tan dash remains. Mattitude's pics are exactly what I would use.
     
  10. sidtx

    sidtx F1 Rookie
    Owner

    Feb 9, 2014
    4,454
    Frisco, Tx
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    Sid
    #10 sidtx, Jan 17, 2016
    They sell Dye kits, and can custom match our cars, or supply OEM colors.

    On there website there are examples of people completely changing colors. There's an example of a BMW driver changing from Black to some type of bright orange.

    I'm currently using their products to re-dye the interior on my Mondial. Their stuff works really well. And, if your leather is somewhat dried out, their stuff will make it feel new again.

    Sid
     
  11. BigTex

    BigTex Seven Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Dec 6, 2002
    79,408
    Houston, Texas
    Full Name:
    Bubba
    #11 BigTex, Jan 18, 2016
    The 308 dash is normally vinyl.
    IF you have a leather tan dash then a redye might work.

    I second the opinion that someone that knows the car can remove it quickly enough and a recover by professional is the way to go.
    If not glued properly you can make a mess of it.
     
  12. 4zaJim

    4zaJim Formula Junior

    May 15, 2012
    838
    Los Angeles
    Full Name:
    Jim
    #12 4zaJim, Jan 18, 2016
    The covers work great, are inexpensive, and don't look too bad. Seems preferable than changing a rare factory original dash. Certainly less headache, not to mention the cost
     
  13. AaronMeisner

    AaronMeisner Formula Junior

    Jul 15, 2014
    267
    Baltimore MD USA
    Full Name:
    Aaron Meisner
    #13 AaronMeisner, Jan 18, 2016
    Meh. I just dropped off my NSX for some work over the winter, so I have the room in the garage to really tear into the 308. I'm going to have a look at pulling the dash. Hopefully I can stay on track and get the car back together by spring. I have a laundry list of things to do on it, so I may as well as this to it.
     
  14. onboost

    onboost Formula Junior

    Apr 13, 2004
    758
    DC Metro area
    #14 onboost, Feb 29, 2016
    HA! Always a laundry list.. divided into to must do, and want to do.. then of course you multiply that by # of cars and.. well you know how it goes.

    Nice to hear of another Grigio 208 nearby. Mine has tan interior with grey piping on the seats. Black dash.. and I bulled the instrument binnacle and covered it in blk suede (with proper French seam of course) to cut down the glare from the windshield.

    If you decide to have the dash recovered in black I have an excellent guy in Glen Burnie.

    Regards,

    Paul
     
  15. jimgolf1

    jimgolf1 Formula Junior

    Aug 23, 2013
    375
    Reno, NV
    Full Name:
    Jim Small
    #15 jimgolf1, Feb 29, 2016
    I wouldn't change it. The black has just as much of a glare problem. You would only marginally improve the situation and the carpet on the dash is still the safest solution.

    I can't believe Ferrari didn't keep the dash like in the Dino 206/246. An alcantara type material on the dash would be so nice in a 308.
     

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