The material used for the dash on our 1993 U280 is a mess to put it kindly. I had planned on removing the dash and getting it re-upholstered but,the available $$$$ went to more critical areas. Anything left on the dash becomes "stuck". As a matter of fact, the PO left a clipboard on the dash and now it is a permanent fixture. I have tried to get it off but it looks like it will just rip the dash material. I remember seeing some kind of "cloth"(?) cover on the dash of some Foretravels. Is this something that is available somewhere? Would like to cover the dash with something until the $$$ bleeding stops and we can get the whole thing redone in leather.
Roland
Roland,
Here is a start...
http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=14842.msg87855#msg87855 (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=14842.msg87855#msg87855)
I got my dash recovered along with the single dinette bench seat. Can't remember what I paid, but I think it was between two to three hundred.
But you could always go this route. Dashboard Covers by Josie - Specializing in Dashboard Covers for Motorhomes! (http://www.coversbyjosie.com/)
Thanks for the replies. Looks like I will get the cover from Josie for now. Plans are to get the dash, driver and passenger seat redone in leather....one of these days. Gotta stop the $$$$ bleeding first. For now, Josie's cover will have to do.
Roland
Roland,
I had mine recovered at FOT and it was a couple of grand! Ouch... To keep it from dying a slow death from the sun again my DW covers it with a nice piece of fabric. It looks good and it's cheap inexpensive! We have friends in Denver that had theirs done locally for less than a grand and it's looks great. You might want to shop around.
Credit where credit is due. Dori stole the fabric idea from Carol Savournin. Thanks Carol!
see ya
ken
Roland,
I hope Dave K. or Nancy chime in here - they had their dash and seats redone somewhere in AZ (along with the valances) and all came out great.
And I seem to recall Brett and Dianne W. redid the dash in Roamie themselves.
Michelle
Yes, when we bought new driver and passenger seats from Flexsteel, we ordered a couple of extra yards of the same Ultrasuede and recovered the dash ourselves. Removed the old cover and padding from the "front section". Cut a new piece of luan (thin plywood) for the front section. Covered it and glued it in place. Removed and recovered the hinged section.
Would NEVER cut out the OE front piece of plywood-- it is structural and by using slightly thinner padding, you could never tell the new front area was on a "built up" piece.
Lots of good ideas here. Think I like Brett's approach. I thought maybe my DW and I could have the hinged portion done but couldn't figure out what to do with the very front section where the defroster registers are. Brett always seems to have elegant solutions. Now to find someone to redo at a reasonable cost.
Roland
We had Dana Kern - our upholsterer in Benson AZ - do the dash and chairs. Chairs were done in UltraLeather Brisa, and material plus labor was $1500 for both chairs. $550 for the Ultraleather alone, but it is wonderful stuff! The dash (and door surround) was $1100 for all 16 (!!) pieces (didn't do the horizontal piece up at the very top of the windshield that has the speakers in it.) I took all the pieces out and reinstalled them, and Nancy pulled all 10 bazillion staples out. We had the dash pieces done in vinyl.
Don't remember what we paid for the valances (we had Dana do the valances, the sofa and 3 dining chairs in fabric), but it was also quite reasonable. We bought the fabric for those in Tucson.
FWIW,
If you decide to tackle it yourself, you may get some vinyl from ebay. I have done that and recovered some things with it. I usually get marine grade. Also I have stapled it on with a standard stapler from a hardware store (I believe Bostich was brand). It staples quite well to hold the vinyl fabric to the plywood. This would decrease the cost considerably. If the foam is bad that also is easily replaced. Of course you can get from a local supplier. I like the ebay option as I can easily shop from my keyboard and selection is most certainly larger. I am always pleased with the results compared to the old.
Michelle,
Must agree 100% with your take on Brett and Diane doing thier own dash work with the left over ultrasuede they got from Flexsteel. I own Brett and Diane's 1993 coach (Roamie) now and I can tell you first hand it was a marvelous job they did!
Good to know that!!! When I reuphoilstered, I left that part alone cause it did not look bad as the rest of it, And I did not want to mess with trying to remove it. Now I know what to do if it ever needs doing. Thanks Brett!!!