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Dash being refinished but would like to recover

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dndkk

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Our wood dash was looking pretty awful so I figured out how to take off the dash wood plate and are in the process of refinishing same.. With it off, I am looking at the top dash (leatherette) looking sad as well and thought it appeared to be a simple take off.. Loosen the 3 top bolts, the five bolts in behind the metal dash plate and it should slip out..Wrong.. It is in there as though it is part of the metal dash plate that it sits on.. Can't get it to move for the life of me...
Any thoughts/help would be much appreciated..
 
I believe you'll find that the windscreen frame clamps the leaidng edge of the top 'crash pad' (love that name).

Also, the pad is likely glued to the top of the scuttle.

To replace the top pad you have to remove the windscreen frame (w/ glass in place). Not a huge task and a chance to renew the lower seal, paint the frame, etc etc.
 
Re: Dash being refinished but would like to recove

Aw thanks for the info.......Can you enlighten me as how that windscreen comes off should it is decided to proceed down that path>....
Thanks once again..
 
Re: Dash being refinished but would like to recove

Go to this member's web site by clicking on the
link here: https://www.74tr6.com/glassreplacement.htm

Do you see the extended tubes on the bottom of the
windscreen frame? There you'll find two nuts with
washers. They are on the inside of the car. Look up
near the hood latch release, then cast your eyes
backward along that plane. You'll see the tubes that
go to the windscreen with the nuts and washers. Remove
them.
Now open your car door and loosen the bolts on the
inside of the door jam. One will be holding the fender;
the other is the one you loosen. I say "loosen," not
remove.

Take a wide plastic putty knife and carefully break the
windshield rubber at the bottom of the windscreen loose
and away from the car. It could have a little glue holding
it down.

Now with a helper, step/kneel/whatever, inside the vehicle
and each of you pull/tug/jerk, somewhat, on each end of the
windscreen. Your entire windshield with glass in the frame
will pop out revealing the dash pad.

There will be more, though. I think you might have to drop
your wood dash forward, or moreover, remove it altogether.
This now makes the task more time consuming and challenging
if you find you must remove the wood dash altogether.
Maybe somebody else with a different experience than me can
comment or help.

Your car will likely be out of service for a while, whatever
you do, by the nature of the repair.

Best of luck and contact us again if you need more help.
 
Re: Dash being refinished but would like to recove

Opps, sorry. Guess you have the wood fascia out.
That's great!

If the vinyl is glued really well to your car, I might
suggest a little (or big if you have one) steam
cleaner. The heat from the steam will melt the glue
to remove the vinyl.

Best of luck, once again.
 
Re: Dash being refinished but would like to recove

Since this has come up and 2wrench described it. I have my my das heater metal panel out and the windscreen was replace and has not seen the lite of day. My top vinyl is in fair shape. since the car won't be in this state for a while again (God I Hope Not).
Should I replace it????
 
Re: Dash being refinished but would like to recove

2wrench thanks very much for the information.. exactly what I was looking for.. Yes the dash wood fascia is out so it is all there to see...my only fear is that this job is taking too much time and the weather is screaming to go driving.. I hadn't even thought of this so the next step will be to order a crash pad i guess and wait for it's arrival....Should have started this in the fall..........!
 
Re: Dash being refinished but would like to recove

I am right there with you, I hope my crash pad will show up today. I finished clearcoating my dash this weekend. I will try to pull the windscreen frame out after work, the dash escuschions have been painted. Hopefully back on the road next weekend
 
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