I left my used to be trusted dog in the coach Sat nite while I walked up to another camp site.. I got back one hour later and she had nutted up and clawed hunks of vinyl off my dash.. The flip up part would come off easily for repair but the part that goes to the windshield I can't see how to take out.. These upholstry people are finiky and ask that I bring them the dash without the motor home.. This is a Grand Villa 89 model.. has anyone stripped the entire dash out of one that can give me some pointers.. Also have a dog over on classifieds CHEAP.
Modified topic title to be more descriptive - Michelle
Dub,
What I would do:
Remove the hinged part.
Remove the vinyl and padding from the forward part. Do NOT remove the wood. Get a sheet of luan (thin, good quality plywood), and using paper patterns, cut it to the exact shape of the forward area. Actually you will cut it a little smaller so their is room for thinner padding and new vinyl. Yes, you will also have to cut out for the dash vents.
But, this is a LOT easier than removing the structural part of the dash. And, if you can't sell/give away fido, would make the "next recovering" a lot easier.
A dash cover can fit over the area
Agreed. But, it will always look like a dash cover, not an upholstered dash. We chose the recover dash when we remodeled ours after considering a cover.
The forward part is glued down and can be pried up. I opted for the dash cover. 1, because I wanted it black, and 2, because it's ok for my dog to ruin it. Easily replaced again.
DON'T SELL THE DOG.
On my Foretravel, that entire flat dash area is one piece that is held in place with Velcro, IIRC. I removed mine to be able to work on the upper deck and the new Automotion windshield shades.
I did not have to remove the two hinged sections, but I did have to lift the arched one off of the flat piece. It is not trivial, and probably requires two people. It is long and, at the arched section, fairly narrow. Make sure you try to release the Velcro sections before trying to remove it; otherwise, you might hear a cracking sound, probably in the narrow section.
It appears to consist of a long (more than 8'), thin, continuous sheet of plywood (Luan?). It is covered with a sheet of vinyl, with padding, and secured on the back with a humongous number of staples (the staples must be very short, because the Luan is not very thick). I took a sample trim piece to Hobby Lobby to try to match it. I showed it to the fabric section manager, and his comment was, "They really didn't want it to pucker, did they?" They had a white piece that might work, but he said my sample was more of an ivory color.
Hope this helps,
Trent
I imagine I will try and go with Brett's pattern.. I would like to keep the coach as original as possible and have been able to up until now.. What did you do Brett cut out the new vinyl and lay it yourself? I do have a mechanic that works for me that has nimble fingers and is pretty good at intricate chores.. I hate to make a mess of this as the original dash pad didn't have a mark on it UNTIL TRUDY NUTTED UP.. Didn't mention that she tore all the screen off the screen door and slashed up the window tint on the door window... I don't know why she didn't go ahead and take out the new covered captains chairs and the door off the fridge..
I haven't found any velcro yet Trent.. Our dash coverings seem different.
Yes, I cut out the luan. Dianne and I did the covering.
You can ask Mike how it held up-- he bought it from the guy we sold it to.
We recovered it in late 2007.
One word......."Perfect". ^.^d
This seems like a pretty big job. Have you thought about making a claim on your insurance for all the damage. Call Foretravel as they probably have the same or very close material still in stock....They built it, they can fix it. I wish you the best of luck as we have 4 dogs that could surprise us at any moment.
What color is the dog? Skin him/her and use the hide for a dash cover??? JUST KIDDING!!!
Just got back home from two week outing with the coach & everything ran great!!
We had FOT redo our dash back in 2011. They did the flip up and the difficult thin section next to the window. Looks like new. Don't know how they did it but the whole thing cost a coach buck. Pick your battles. This may be one to let FOT do. I've got plenty of other "projects" that I actually think I can do! :)
see ya
ken
Yes it does seem like a big job Mr Smith and one that I don't look forward to.. All things mechanical we can readily handle in my shop.. Even do a little fiberglass and paint.. This upholstry business I see where a butt could be made of it.. hope not.. Brett makes a lot of things look easy.. he doesn't say it's easy he just aint skeered and has skills.. Tempted to do as Ken says but hate to go to Nachogdoches.. I may call them and see if they will cut out a piece and send it to me.. I imagine they will tell me they are not interested but nothing ventured nothing gained.. Thanks all for the input.
Dub
On the insurance I don't think it was an accident... Odds are Trudy meant darn well to do it.
I thought dogs were color blind?? Maybe she was going for a change in diet? Has a preference for old, old vinyl and foam?
Likes natural wood finish? >:D >:D
I've got a shade over the windshield, so a pic is not possible. However, I just looked at the dash and all the corners and Brett & Diane did a SUPERB job! That being said, it's nothing we'd even attempt, and I for one, would wonder about "Bubba's Upholstery", too.
$ 2500.00 to get it recovered at FT.. I will be pulling staples in the coming days.. David Flanagan did go back over what Bret said do and he spent some time with me he didn't have to.. Also said call back if he could help farther.. I think we can do this, I know we are going to see.
Another strain on my teeny, little brain. Ever consider using something like the spray on stuff used for bedliners? Many colors available, and your vinyl eating dog probably wouldn't like the taste.
Did think about driving it to Boys Town Mex.. Have been told every mothers son does upholstry.. I'm soon to do upholstry but not likely to open a shop.
Bed liner on the dash. nitehawk it's to early to be in the bottle.