Dash Kit Installation

 

Read through this guide completely and if you have any questions about your dash trim kit or the installation process please call before starting your installation.

 

Dash Kit Package Checklist:

  • 1 Dash Kit
  • 1 Dash Kit Diagram
  • 1 Printed Installation Sheet
  • 1 Warranty Information Sheet
  • 2 or more Isopropyl Alcohol Wipes (depending on kit size)
  • 2 or more 3M Adhesive Sticks (depending on kit size)

What you will need for your dash kit installation:

A Hair Dryer or Heating Gun (if installing in cooler climates)
A Clean, Lint Free, Soft Cloth
1-3 Hours of time depending on your kit size

Dash Kit Installation

Step 1 – Dry Fitting
Start off by dry fitting your dash trim pieces on the vehicles dash (below left). This will help familiarize you with the pieces and how they apply. Once you feel comfortable aligning the pieces on the dash, proceed to step 2.

Tip 1 – Fitting
Use parts of the vehicles dash such as vents, dials, buttons, and cup holders etc. to align the trim pieces properly.
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Step 2 – Cleaning the Vehicle's Dash
Clean all the surfaces of the dash receiving dash trim with the isopropyl alcohol wipes included in your kit (above right). If you have had Armor All or any other repellent applied to the dash, you will need to repeat the cleaning process 3 to 4 times.

Tip 2 – Dash Cleaning
A good way to test if your dash is clean enough for kit installation is to stick a piece of masking tape on an area you have cleaned.

If the tape sticks easily you are ready for installation, if the tape does not stick readily you will need to repeat the cleaning process.

If any type of dash board dressing or treatment has been used such as ArmorAll on the surface of your dash, you MUST be sure to remove any trace of it or the dash kit will not adhere properly. This can be done with liberal use of a cleaner such as Rubbing Alchohol. If you're not sure if a dash dressing has been used in the past, we recommend purchasing a bottle of rubbing alcohol such a Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol at your local Pharmacy.

Step 3 – Adhesive Promoter
To use the adhesive promoter stick, break the inner tube by pressing on the black dot on the promoter stick. Then very gently squeeze the promoter stick to start the flow to the brush, when you see the brush start to wet stop squeezing.

Apply the adhesive promoter (paint brush style) only to the areas of dash receiving trim (below). We generally recommend using it under where the edges of the pieces are going to set down. On pieces with less curves, only a little should be necessary. On pieces with more curves, we recommend using a little more. Let dry for approximately 2 minutes.
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Once the adhesive promoter is open, it starts to dry so apply all the adhesive promoter to the dash before proceeding to step 4. Normal usage time is about 5-10 minutes depending on temperature.

Tip 3 – Adhesive Promoter
To make sure you apply adhesive promoter to only the proper areas of the vehicles dash, you can lay the trim pieces in place on the dash and lightly trace around the trim piece with a pencil. Then apply your adhesive promoter inside those lines only. Concentrate specifically on applying the promoter under the edges of each piece. This will ensure the edges won't start to lift.

Step 4 – Dash Kit Installation
Once you feel comfortable laying the trim pieces in place, having cleaned the dash and applied the adhesive promoter you are ready to start installing the dash trim kit pieces.


How to install your dash kit.

Follow these simple steps to install the trim kit pieces:

If the temperature is below 80 degrees then it may be required to slightly warm the dash trim pieces to ensure they are flexible enough for installation. This can be done by using a hair dryer or heating gun (below left and right). Be sure to keep the dryer/gun at least 5” from the trim pieces and moving at all times. Warming the dash in the same fashion is often helpful as well. If it is a warm or hot sunny day, you can lay the kit in the sun for 10 - 15 minuets, this will also help the kit to become more flexible and pliable.

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Gently peel the red backing from the dash trim piece (below left). Gently lay the trim piece into place on the vehicles dash (below right).

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Use a finger tip to gently tack the trim into place while you make the final alignment adjustments (below).

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Press the trim piece firmly into place with your fingers (below). Repeat steps 1 through 4 for the remaining dash trim pieces.

Step 5 – Completing the Installation and Cleaning
Once you have finished installing all the trim pieces, go back over each piece and give it a good firm press all over paying special attention to the corners and any pieces which bend. This is just to make sure you have gotten the entire piece to adhere properly (below). If stubborn finger prints or marks are made on the surface of the polyurethane during installation, these may be removed by gently wiping with rubbing alcohol or a glass cleaner such as Windex.
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Once you have finished pressing all the pieces into place you are ready to clean and enjoy your new dash kit. Use your clean, lint free soft cloth to remove the finger prints and smudges caused by the installation (below).

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Enjoy your new dash trim kit!

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