The Guide to Dash Kits
Whether your pulse quickens at the sight of polished wood, or your heart skips a beat for the futuristic look of carbon fiber, AutoAnything has a dash kit that'll jazz up your interior. Our premium dash kits transform ordinary vehicles into extraordinary, lavish, luxurious show cars. Best of all, they're incredibly simple to install and require no extra upkeep than your stock trim.
From this guide, you'll learn just about everything there is to know about dash kits. Armed with this knowledge, you'll be able to pick the perfect one for your vehicle.
Once upon a time in a remote period of human history known as the Twentieth-Century, real wood trim was only available on posh European automobiles, like Jaguars, Rolls-Royces and Bentleys. Each piece was hand made by master craftsmen, who spent countless hours sanding and polishing every square inch of the trim to perfection. Needless to say, only aristocrats and captains of industry could afford the extravagant expense, though people from every walk of life salivated over the idea of one day owning their own wood-trimmed dash kit.
American automotive manufacturers quickly jumped onto the craze for real wood dashboard trim, or "Maple Mania" as Detroit dubbed it. However, producing high-quality, genuine wood appliqué proved to be just as laborious and costly on both sides of the big pond.
Fortunately, around the time that Ford was unveiling the Edsel, a breakthrough occurred. 3M, aka the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, developed a powerful double-sided tape that could be used to affix trim to vehicles. This greatly reduced the installation time and even made self-installation possible. Further developments in the fields of synthetic materials, such as carbon fiber, drove down the costs even more without sacrificing the rich looks that made this type of trim hugely popular in the first place.
Today, with a custom-made dash kit, we all can enjoy upgrading our vehicle's interior with the lavish look of real or simulated wood that once was solely reserved for the nobles of Europe.
Informed decisions are the best kind to make. That's why here, at AutoAnything, we've done the leg work of researching everything there is to know about dash kits, and are presenting you with our findings. Armed with this knowledge, you will be able to choose the perfect dash kit to embellish your vehicle's cockpit.
Luckily, there are only two major things to consider while you make the decision about which dash kit is right for you: style and finish.
Dash kits are available in two different styles: flat and molded. While you might prefer the look of one more than the other, both styles provide an exceptional accent for your interior. There are no fundamental advantages of one over the other, except when it comes to your personal tastes.
As the name implies, flat dash kits are thin overlays that lay practically flush over your dashboard. Rather than augmenting the shape and curvature of your dash, these pieces seamlessly conform to your interior's every contour.
For an extra dimension of luxury and sophistication around your interior controls and consoles, consider our molded dash kits. Instead of lying flush against your dashboard, these 3-D trim pieces subtly swell out from your dash, adding an appearance of greater depth. The edges are rounded, so all the sections blend seamlessly into your vehicle's interior contours.
For the vast majority of vehicles, both a flat and a molded dash kit are available, so you can choose the style you like most. However, the design of certain dashboards cannot accommodate the molded kits because of space and clearance limitations.
Whether your pulse quickens at the sight of traditional wood trim or modern carbon fiber laminate, AutoAnything has a dash kit for you.
The finish that symbolizes the ultimate in automotive luxury is the same now as it was in the previous century: wood. From the silky warmth of Bird's Eye Maple to the rich billowing depths of Walnut Burl, our wood finish dash kits transform your vehicle into a lavish show car. Many of the dash kits are crafted from genuine wood, using time-honored techniques developed by European and American master craftsmen. We also have a selection of kits with simulated wood laminates that will comfortably fit into any budget.
If you prefer the look and feel of driving a high-end sports car, check out our selection of premium metal and carbon fiber dash kits. These race-inspired finishes give your vehicle's interior the look and feel of speed, whether you are barreling down the road or parked in your driveway. Besides the standard metallic gray hue of the carbon fiber and billet trim, these kits come in a huge array of colors to match or accentuate your paintjob. For an even more aggressive appearance, the carbon fiber dash kits are even available with either a sizzling flame or a patriotic flag pattern.
Even though the traditional and modern dash trim kits look quite different, both finishes are built tough to withstand the particular hazards inside your vehicle. To protect against the near constant onslaught of sunlight, the dash kits are treated with a UV inhibitor coating, which also helps resist cigarette burns. Moreover, because cockpit temperatures can reach sweltering highs and freezing colds, the 3M adhesive stretches to accommodate the natural expansion and contraction of your dashboard.
Truth be told, you do not have to be an expert carpenter or mechanic to install one of our gorgeous dash kits. The back of each piece in the kit is coated with an automotive-grade 3M adhesive, so basically all you have to do is unpeel the tape and stick it onto your dashboard. Of course, there are a few steps to take before and after you fix the sections onto your interior, but the whole process takes just 6 quick steps.
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Test Fitting
The first step in the dash kit installation process is probably the most critical. Without removing the tape backing, align each piece in its proper place, making sure that all the parts fit correctly and that nothing is missing. With the part in place, test to see if the buttons, vents and knobs all have plenty of clearance and can still operate properly.
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Cleaning and Preparing the Surface
Dirt, oil and lint get in the way of the bond between the dash kit's 3M adhesive and your dashboard, so they must be cleaned off. You should pay special attention to any areas that may have been coated with a vinyl treatment (e.g. Armor All, Meguiar's, etc.) because they leave behind a silicone residue which greatly reduces the adhesion. Using isopropyl alcohol and clean paper towels, scrub the areas on your dash that will be covered by the new trim. While you are cleaning, avoid bringing the alcohol into contact with any clear plastic surfaces covering your gauges, clock, radio and warning lights. An easy way to test if the area is clean enough is to stick on a piece of masking tape. If it pulls away without resistance, you need to clean harder. However, if it feels tacky and resists, then you are ready for the next step.
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Adhesive Promoter
Certain dash kits use a special adhesive promoter, which you apply right onto your dashboard in the sections where the trim pieces go. Let it dry before you move on to the next step, but be careful about spilling it onto other parts of your dash because it is corrosive. You should wear rubber gloves and safety goggles at this stage to protect yourself.
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Checking the Temperature
The optimal temperature for installing your new dash kit is at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit. If you need to heat things up a bit, you can simply use a hair dryer or a heat gun. The reason for the heat is that many of the sections bend to follow the contours of your dashboard. The warmer they are, the more pliable they become.
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Installation
When you are ready to install the dash kit, the first thing to do is peel away the tape backing. Because our hands naturally produce oils, you should use a utility knife or another blade to catch the corner and start pulling away the backing. For the best results, pull downwards and only remove the backing one piece at a time. Once the adhesive is exposed, the part is ready to go on. Align the piece over the area where it will be mounted, and gently press it into place. If you are applying flat pieces, you should apply them in a rocking motion, either from left to right or from top to bottom. This will prevent any buckling in the center. Molded pieces, however, should simply go on straight and even without any rocking motion. If any of the pieces resist bending into place, just heat them up a bit with the hair dryer to make them more flexible.
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Post Installation Care
After all the new dash kit pieces have been stuck into place, you should avoid manhandling them for at least 72 hours. This does not mean that you can't drive your car for a week, but you should treat the trim gently while it is settling in. This will allow the adhesive to cure to full strength, so your new veneer will be solid as a rock. When you are cleaning your dash, it is important that you avoid using any vinyl treatments on the new trim. Silicone, one of the chief ingredients in these treatments, can degrade the bond between your trim and your dash. Instead, you can use a clean, wet towel or ordinary window cleaner to polish your new appliqué.
We hope you have found our Dash Kits Research Guide Center a good guide in helping you choose the best Dash Kits for your vehicle. It is AutoAnything's goal to provide the most information on the Internet and through our Auto Accessory Specialists on every product we sell. If you have any information that you think could help improve this section, please email us at researchcenter@autoanything.com.