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Just Dashes - 1966 Dash Pad

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ETD66SS

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
So in Feb 2004 I sent my original 1966 dash pad to Just Dashes based on some recommendations from people on these forums. I received the dash pad back in April of 2004. I was not real pleased with the quality, but I didn't have the fight in me back then to bitch at them and ask to have it redone.

I'm getting back into my restoration, and I now feel more than ever that they screwed up my dash pad and I want them to redo it.

Here are some pictures of the trouble spots: https://imgur.com/a/YT4IH

Am I being too picky? I guess I don't think so for almost $400 to recover the dash pad. I would expect no dents, kinks or waviness for that price.

I do have the receipt and sent them an email asking if they will fix the dash pad if I pay for shipping both ways.
 
#3 ·
It doesn't really look correct.
Too thick and rounded over. The contours are not like an original dash pad.
The puckering on the underside does not look good regardless of whether the details are correct or not.
Hopefully they will agree that it looks bad and offer a refund or rework.
Nothing is going to happen unless you pursue it.
 
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Discussion starter · #4 ·
droptop396 said:
It doesn't really look correct.
Too thick and rounded over. The contours are not like an original dash pad.
The puckering on the underside does not look good regardless of whether the details are correct or not.
Hopefully they will agree that it looks bad and offer a refund or rework.
Nothing is going to happen unless you pursue it.
Click to expand...
They were highly recommended and supposed to be experts. This is substandard quality IMO.
 
#5 ·
I had them do a 66 pad about the same time period and paid the same as you. I wasn't pleased so say the least, not because of any flaws in the workmanship but because of the contrast to original. It was bulky, lacked the defined rear lip and was much thicker where it met the front dash top. I packed it in a box and stored it. I'll use it for a backup ONLY if I run out of original pads. Never thought about returning it, just learned a valuable lesson.
 
Discussion starter · #6 ·
cheveslakr said:
I had them do a 66 pad about the same time period and paid the same as you. I wasn't pleased so say the least, not because of any flaws in the workmanship but because of the contrast to original. It was bulky, lacked the defined rear lip and was much thicker where it met the front dash top. I packed it in a box and stored it. I'll use it for a backup ONLY if I run out of original pads. Never thought about returning it, just learned a valuable lesson.
Click to expand...
So, does anybody know who can do this dash pad correctly?
 
#8 ·
You need to find out if they have changed the way they do the 66 dash after ten years. You may get it back looking the same. There is a place that does dash pads here in the NW. I will see if I can find their card. I believe they are in the Seattle area. I have never used them or do not know much about them.
 
#10 ·
I'm not sure about this, but I think back then they offerred two levels of dash pad restoration - a simple re-wrap job (as yours appears to have been done), or stripping it all the way to the metal core and applying all new foam and vacuum sealed vinyl covering. I think they only offerred the better total restoration version on pads that they had made the molds to do that way. Maybe at that point they didn't have one for 66 Chevelles, but maybe they do now?

I had them redo a 63 Impala dark blue pad back in around 2002 or 2003, and it came back looking just like the original as far as the shape and the adhereing of the vinyl goes. It cost almost $800, so I'm pretty sure it was the total redo version. However, even though I sent them samples of the correct original vinyl taken from the part that is hidden by the speedo cluster housing and had never seen the light of day since 1963, they still missed the color by about 1000 shades too light. I ended up having to have dye specially mixed to match the original material and spray the thing. I think they just used whatever vinyl they had on a roll that was closest, without going to the effort to dye it the correct color.

Needless to say, I wasn't happy either!!
 
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Discussion starter · #11 ·
jeffschevelle said:
I'm not sure about this, but I think back then they offerred two levels of dash pad restoration - a simple re-wrap job (as yours appears to have been done), or stripping it all the way to the metal core and applying all new foam and vacuum sealed vinyl covering. I think they only offerred the better total restoration version on pads that they had made the molds to do that way. Maybe at that point they didn't have one for 66 Chevelles, but maybe they do now?

I had them redo a 63 Impala dark blue pad back in around 2002 or 2003, and it came back looking just like the original as far as the shape and the adhereing of the vinyl goes. It cost almost $800, so I'm pretty sure it was the total redo version. However, even though I sent them samples of the correct original vinyl taken from the part that is hidden by the speedo cluster housing and had never seen the light of day since 1963, they still missed the color by about 1000 shades too light. I ended up having to have dye specially mixed to match the original material and spray the thing. I think they just used whatever vinyl they had on a roll that was closest, without going to the effort to dye it the correct color.

Needless to say, I wasn't happy either!!
Click to expand...
The problem is they re-wrapped mine, and went right over the existing dents, cuts & tears of the old one without any type of restoration, and then charged me $400. WTH?

I emailed them last week with my gripes/receipt, they have not yet responded. I guess I am not expecting much after 10 years.

I want a pad that looks just like the factory original, maybe I am asking for too much.
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
Ok, I just heard back from Just Dashes.

They have offered to give me credit of what I have already paid towards a new dash pad restoration, and I pay the shipping both ways. So all in all I'll pay $100 to give them another shot at restoring my dash pad.

I think I am going to take that deal and hope for the best.
 
#13 ·
That's what I would do. Make sure you make it clear to them about all the wear the dash had originally (meaning before you sent it to them the first time) and that they know full well your expecting a restored dash pad, not some re-wrapped junk.

For the record. All the stuff I have read here on TC about Just Dashes hasn't been good, and those that did have good luck with them ended up paying so much for getting their dash done that even then it wasn't worth it, pushing almost a grand for a dash pad is way too much IMO.
 
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#14 ·
JustDashes did outstanding work on my 65 dash pad. Yes, it was expensive - about $500 if I remember correctly - and took way too long. They took my original pad down to the buck and rebuilt from there. I had them fill in the speaker hole, and that came out so good you can't tell the pad was modified. The fit was perfect. I suggest you give them another try if it will only cost you another $100.
 
Discussion starter · #15 ·
MikeMalibu said:
JustDashes did outstanding work on my 65 dash pad. Yes, it was expensive - about $500 if I remember correctly - and took way too long. They took my original pad down to the buck and rebuilt from there. I had them fill in the speaker hole, and that came out so good you can't tell the pad was modified. The fit was perfect. I suggest you give them another try if it will only cost you another $100.
Click to expand...
I already sent them the pad and asked that they redo the foam, we'll see what happens.
 
#16 ·
I don't know that you have a valid complaint 10 years later! Sorry bro, not being critical, just don't know of anyone who would honor a complaint that long since the deal was done. I think you should probably find someone else to fix your pad...
 
Discussion starter · #17 ·
Freddy Mercado said:
I don't know that you have a valid complaint 10 years later! Sorry bro, not being critical, just don't know of anyone who would honor a complaint that long since the deal was done. I think you should probably find someone else to fix your pad...
Click to expand...
Uhm, well as stated above, I sent it back to Just Dashes. Hoping they do it right this time.
 
#18 ·
Gene, as MikeMalibu stated if it is only $100 right now to get it redone by them then they are giving you outstanding service. I consider money spent in the distant past gone, in other words I don't add it into anything I'm working on currently. Still it would piss me off a bit that they didn't do it right the first time. The price of material has gone up in 10 years and I'm sure that $100 won't come close to what it's costing them to make it right. I have found, or read about, more and more GOOD resto companies taking back or making past mistakes right WAY past their return period. It's nice to know that some of these places know that a car doesn't come together in a matter of days, weeks or months. Please post pics and your thoughts when you get it back, no matter how long. Good luck
 
Discussion starter · #20 ·
MikeMalibu said:
I missed the fact that the work was completed 10 years ago. Sounds like Justdashes is proud of their reputation by giving you the next level of service for only $100 after 10 years. Not many companies would do that.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I was quite happy with their offer. I hope I am equally happy with the quality of the workmanship when I get the dash pad back.
 
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