Vinyls - dashboard & everything else - A Novel by Arfon

[Arfon Griffiths <ArfonRG@xxxxxxx>]

Hi All,

Well I have been in vinyl hell again.  Just Dashes wants $700 to recover my 
dash-pad (which I can't afford), so I have been searching for an un-backed 
moldable vinyl and IT HAS BEEN STINKIN NEAR IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND!


Here is what I have learned:

AMC, Chrysler & S&P used the Coachman grain vinyl.  Nassimi seems to be the 
only company still making the Coachman grain vinyl and they told me that 
every year they ask themselves if it should be discontinued.  The vinyl 
they make is backed and thus can not be used for dashboards.

The vinyl needed for the dash is called "vacuum formable" ("trim weight" is 
the 70-80's term) and Naugahyde (Uniroyal) seems to be the only American 
company making it (which seems odd since it's used in MANY products).

The formable Naugahyde is called Naugaform and it is NOT available in 
coachman grain.  I'm going to call Uniroyal tomorrow and find out more.


If anyone knows any other information that I am missing, PLEASE let me know.