Vinyl Dash Wraps vs Trim vs Sprays

When it comes to modifying the interior trim of your car, truck or SUV there are a number of options for you to choose from but what choice you make depends on your goals and your comfort level with each product. As the sub-title of article lists, there are three basic interior dash trim mods that are commonly available on the market and they are as follows: custom-fit dash kits, sprays and vinyl wraps. Although there are other kinds of custom dashboard modifications such as fiberglass, molded dashboards we won't get into those here since those are beyond the ability of most enthusiasts both in terms of costs and because they require specialized shops and equipment.

Although it may seem like we have narrowed the field down to a choice of three different interior mods the truth isn't quite so simple. Sure, you can choose a dash kit a spray paint or a vinyl wrap but which kind will you choose? Do you want an Rdash vinyl trim kit or a thick, polyurethane coated wood grain or carbon fiber dash kit by DL Auto or Sherwood? If you choose a spray on mod, will you go with a simple paint like Duplicolor or will you choose Plastidip for a one-of-a-kind matte finish? And, finally, if you decide to wrap your dash, what type of film will you choose? Rwrap, Hexis, 3M, Oracal...the list is virtually endless. In this brief article we will briefly cover the pros and cons of each technique so you can make a better decision when it comes time to customize your dashboard.

Dash Kits

Dash kits of any kind are a great way to quickly and easily personalize your interior. They offer a number of unique benefits over other methods of interior modification such as:

Relatively straightforward installation.
Requires little to no customization and can be used right out of the box.
Available in an infinite variety of patterns and finishes.

Of course, as with any product, there are also some disadvantages to choosing a dash kit rather than painting or wrapping your dash. Some of the cons are:

May clash with existing interior trim.
Will not completely cover all areas of the dashboard and interior.
May require sanding or abrading of some surfaces to adhere.

Spray Paint and Plastidip

Spray paints and Plastidip allow you to get a true custom look and have the following benefits:

Complete coverages of all interior panels and trim.
A wide variety of colors are available.
Cost is relatively low.

The most notable disadvantages are:

Requires removal of trim pieces.
Prior experience is recommended to obtain the best results.
Vehicle cannot be used for a number of days as primer and paint cure or during application of multiple coats of Plastidip.

Vinyl Dash Wraps

The final technique for interior customization that we will consider is the vinyl dash wrap. Some of the distinct advantages of choosing vinyl wraps over the other two options discussed are:

There is an almost limitless variety of patterns, colors and finishes available as well as custom printed options.
Works well over existing trim and does not require removal of dash components or panels.
Can be removed without causing permanent damage to the trim.

Notable cons of using a wrap are:

Some skill is required to work with vinyl on curves and concave surfaces.
It may be difficult to estimate the amount of film needed and one can end up with too much or too little to complete the job.
May require sanding or abrading of some surfaces to adhere.

Now that you have a better hold on what to expect you can consider yourself an informed consumer so all that's left is to choose the right mod for your ride. Still have questions? Check out our full catalog here of custom dash kits or Contact Us today and we'll be happy to help!