DMCH Reproduction Dashboards

[dmcman73]

Hi All,

I've gotten back on restoring my Delorean after a long hiatus. I searched the archives on this and there were old subjects on the issues with the DMCH dashboards. Has anyone purchased one recently? Have they improved in quality?

Thanks!

[r00b]

FYI, they're white plastic that's painted.

[dmcman73]

Painted white plastic? I thought the plastic was dyed the color during forming?

[r00b]

Take a knife to the underside and you will see. If one of the door trim rubs your dash it will wear the paint off.

[Mark D]

Painted white plastic? I thought the plastic was dyed the color during forming?

Mine is from the first batch from like 10 years ago and I'm pretty sure it is molded in dark gray plastic, but is painted on the top surface for color match. I've got one on my parts shelf that I never got around to installing. I just went and scratched the bottom side with a screw and gray shavings were coming off.

My original dash is just showing some discoloration so when the time comes I'm going to redye it rather than swap it for the plastic reproduction. The color match on the reproductions isn't perfect either.

From the photos I've seen of others and comparing to my own quality of the reproductions seem to vary... In the old threads from years back there were photos of some that looked like they were ejected from the mold when they were still soft and you can see some distortion in the surface. There are reinforcing ribs around the mounting posts on the back side and on some of the parts you can see where the top surface dips and is uneven near these areas. Other people have had the mounting posts snap off when tightening down the dash.

[dmcman73]

Mine is from the first batch from like 10 years ago and I'm pretty sure it is molded in dark gray plastic, but is painted on the top surface for color match. I've got one on my parts shelf that I never got around to installing. I just went and scratched the bottom side with a screw and gray shavings were coming off.

My original dash is just showing some discoloration so when the time comes I'm going to redye it rather than swap it for the plastic reproduction. The color match on the reproductions isn't perfect either.

From the photos I've seen of others and comparing to my own quality of the reproductions seem to vary... In the old threads from years back there were photos of some that looked like they were ejected from the mold when they were still soft and you can see some distortion in the surface. There are reinforcing ribs around the mounting posts on the back side and on some of the parts you can see where the top surface dips and is uneven near these areas. Other people have had the mounting posts snap off when tightening down the dash.

So, it's basically a crap shoot with these repro dashes then. I'll see if I can get mine recovered again by a car restoration place.

[Delorean Industries]

The best option is and always has been going through Just Dashes.

[dmcerik]

The best option is and always has been going through Just Dashes.

Do you know how much they charge to do a dashboard and a binnacle? And what the turn around time has been like for you?

[Mark D]

Do you know how much they charge to do a dashboard and a binnacle? And what the turn around time has been like for you?

As of 2015:


Here you go.

For a 1981 DeLorean we do a complete restoration. You will need to
send the dash, binnacle, and glove box door into us and we will do a
complete reconstruction off your original parts. We work off your
original part to ensure that when you go to put it back in car you
know it's going to fit. Our current turnaround time is about 10 weeks
from the time we receive your part.
Send to: Just Dashes
5941 Lemona Ave.
Van Nuys, CA 91411

Cost:
$950 - dash
$500 - binnacles
$200 - glove box door
+ Shipping

This price includes that restoration of the parts in black. For any
other color, you can add $100-$150 depending on the color. I've
attached an order form for your convenience. Let me know if you need
anything else.


From this thread here:

http://dmctalk.org/showthread.php?11808-WTB-Grey-Dash-and-Binnacle-in-good-condition

[dmcerik]

I got a quote back from them, but forgot to include the glovebox lid into that. Below is what they responded with.

Our current lead time is approximately 4 months from the time we receive your parts.
Here is an approximate cost of your restoration:
$600 Inst. Hood
$1,200 Large Piece; speaker holes $50
$200-300 Color Match & Painting Fee
*No extra charge for black
+ Shipping

[Mark D]

I got a quote back from them, but forgot to include the glovebox lid into that. Below is what they responded with.

Our current lead time is approximately 4 months from the time we receive your parts.
Here is an approximate cost of your restoration:
$600 Inst. Hood
$1,200 Large Piece; speaker holes $50
$200-300 Color Match & Painting Fee
*No extra charge for black
+ Shipping

Not too much of a price bump considering the other quote was from 5 years ago.

If you've got parts that are not salvageable ~2K isn't that bad for a binnacle and dash. I think I paid close to $600 for a fiberglass reproduction binnacle 8 years ago or whenever those were made.

[jackb]

Not too much of a price bump considering the other quote was from 5 years ago.

If you've got parts that are not salvageable ~2K isn't that bad for a binnacle and dash. I think I paid close to $600 for a fiberglass reproduction binnacle 8 years ago or whenever those were made.

The fiberglass binnacles were $400 (I just checked my receipt folder)

[Patrick C]

The fiberglass binnacles were $400 (I just checked my receipt folder)

I often forget that I have the fiberglass one in my car. So glad I bought that and sold my mint binnacle while it was still looking mint.

[dmcerik]

When I bought my car back in 1999 the dashboard and binnacle were toast. Cracked, burned, all the gross stuff. But the car came with a dash cover that actually looked pretty nice. When the reproduction dash boards came out I bought one, but never installed it. Now, almost 21 years after I bought my car, I still have that same dashboard and binnacle that I had when I bought the car. I've had that interior for so long that it's the only interior I've known. The one my daughter grew up in.

It's funny. I can't imagine changing the interior as it is right now. Any other interior wouldn't feel like my car that I've had for so long. I still quote stuff out though. Cuz you just never know.

[dn010]

Instead of going with the DMCH dash, I decided to cover mine with a strong leather looking upholstery along with the glove box lid. There is a little bit of a color difference but I'd rather have that than a ridiculous looking burned up cracked dash. Just dashes was the next option and the price isn't bad considering I just got a quote from them @ $1,300 for my 1957 Cadillac dash.

[dmcman73]

Thanks all. I may just opt to get the dash recovered again, but, using a different company and different material. The last company that recovered it, it didn’t last for longer than 9 years.