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Respray the 1500 Dashboard

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S

SAMidget

Senior Member
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Down here in Johannesburg

My car is in very good condition and I maintain it all the time. However the dashboard is starting to look a little worn and I am thinking of getting a can of crinkle spray to make it look new again. So advice from all the experts on this site. What is the best for a respray?

1. Dismantle the dashboard and respray
2. Take off the steering wheel, mask the instruments and spray
3. Another option

Option one is the best option however I am not quite sure of all the work involved.
PS I do have the Haynes manual but it all sounds to simple. What should I look out for?
 

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The wrinkle paint is very dependent on temperature and humidity. It might be very difficult to control with the dash installed.

On possible "gotcha" is the temperature gauge capillary line. They are easy to break when you try to feed the line through the bulkhead.
 
Take it all off and paint. Mark the wires with masking tape and a pen as you go. They shouldn't be that big of a deal. It will be hard to get the paint right if you just tape it off and you will be a lot happier with the job when you are finished.
 
Remove and paint, i used the wrinkle black and had good results, had been done to dash before, just read the instructions on can so as to get the desired level of wrinkle
 
An alternative to the black wrinkle paint would be one of the new "for plastic" sprays. It should far out-last paints not formulated for plastic surfaces and should maintain the stock plastic dashs' texture. I don't know if they are available "way down there" but Duplicolor makes a good line of these paints! (check duplicolor.com)
Removal of everything would be the best way to go, but you could just remove the "easy stuff" and mask (thoroughly) the rest and do it in place!
 
So, is that a metal dash in a 1500? I don't think I ever saw one of those before. Is that british spec or was it a special model Just o for SA? I never saw that many spridgets when in the UK, is that the sandard dash? Does that one piece come off separate from the dash top and all or is it all one piece?
 
Hi Regularman

This is a UK Midget with a standard metal dash. When I returned to SA I shipped the 1500 Midget with me.

For all the replies and helpful suggestions, they confirmed my worst fears, some serious work to be done. I've got a run on 28th April then the 50th Spridget tour on May and show-day at the end of June so I will attempt this before show-day and take photos for the board.
 
Take it all apart and spray, wipe it down good with cleaner first. I put on several coats to get wahat I wanted. A very rewarding project, looks fabalous if I must say so. Set it aside a couple days to really dry up as it stays tacky.

Mark
 
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