'55 Dashboard covering - Tri-state area

[Guest turk45]

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I am in the process of re-wiring my '55 T-Bird and have the dash out as the cover needed to be replaced. I am in the So. CT area and have called a host of upholsters in the region but can't find a shop that has the knowledge and experience in recovering ’55 dashboards. Can anyone help with recommendations for who is in the business that are known for ’55 dashboard recovering? Any help is greatly appreciated. <o:p></o:p>

Thank you. <o:p></o:p>

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CT <o:p></o:p>

[1957Birdman]

Hi Turk45,

Welcome to the forum. I don't know of any places you could go to in Connecticut, but I don't think the job should be too difficult. First, the dash coverings are available from the T-Bird parts suppliers. Second, it should be pretty easy to glue on with the dash out of the car. If you are doing your own wiring you should be able to do that without too much trouble.

Are you a member of CTCI? I not, I would strongly recommend that you join. There is a wealth of information available there. Also, CTCI does have a local chapter in Connecticut. I'm sure they can point you in the right direction if you don't think it is a job you want to tackle.

Finally, there is a restoration manual available through CTCI that is excellent and a big help in restoring your car. You can read more about it on the CTCI website www.ctci.org.

Please let us know what you decide to do.

[poci1957]

If the dash is out of the car it should be able to be handled by any experienced upholsterer. As I recall the key things to watch are:

Be sure the seams are correctly aligned first and work out from them.

Be aware that (necessary) frequent peeling, adjusting and re-gluing will create little glue "balls" underneath the vinyl that will make it look lumpy, so keep that to a minimum.

Good luck, Todd C