Here are some pics of my refinished dash. I carpeted the pad and sprayed two layers of flat black paint on the metal. Very happy with the outcome. The pad looks like it was new underneath. And now I dont have to worry about my shades sliding... just the rear tires. Here are some steps and photos on a cheap refinished dash. Hope you like.
1First you need to remove your dash-pad from your car.
2Clean well with mild soap on a moist towel doing your best to keep any exposed foam dry.
3Rinse off any soap residue well. Dry. This will help the glue stick better...
4Cut and fill your pad. Cut the high spots down, and if possible, use the cut foam to fill the low spots. Perhaps mix in a little glue.
5Using the bolts on the pad as anchors, stretch your carpet around the pad, using a staple gun to adhere the other side. If your foam is wet at all, this process will FAIL. Also use as many staples as you can, almost making a stitch the whole length of the front of the pad. I stapled mine as close to the natural seem as I could to keep them out of site when installed.
6Carefully take the carpet of the anchors and slightly seperate it from the pad. Just enough to spray in your adhesive. I recomend 3M Headliner Spray Adhesive. Coat both sides with a very light coating, if you overspray it will ruin your carpet. Let it tack/dry for a few minutes before restretching the carpet.
7Gently try to pull out any small creases, always pull never push the crease. This part can be tricky on the gauge rise, so try to fit it tight before you glue.
8Trim the sides and staple them down as well.
I am very happy with how mine turned out, and have done it on a friends 78 pinto wagon. Haven't installed my dash yet, as I am waiting to intall the windshield first.