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Tips
Tips

Tips on gluing new fabric to dash on my BT7

BoyRacer

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I'm getting ready to glue new vinyl material to my dash. I read an article about doing this, with helpful tips, many years ago. I thought I kept it ... but I can't find it.
 
Use paint-on contact cement on both surfaces, the dash and the vinyl. Don't use spray-on glue. Once the vinyl is on the blank dash, use a razor knife to cut out the gauge holes but cut them to leave a small excess of vinyl 1/16" overlap in the hole. The vinyl has as tendency to pull back from the hole after its cut.
 
a trick we used to use with formica... after the glue dries on both pieces, lay a piece of newspaper in between the metal and the vinyl to keep the glues apart. position the vinyl so it covers.

slide the paper out as you press the vinyl down.
 
a trick we used to use with formica... after the glue dries on both pieces, lay a piece of newspaper in between the metal and the vinyl to keep the glues apart. position the vinyl so it covers.

slide the paper out as you press the vinyl down.

Used this technique in graphic arts - called "slipsheeting". Wax paper works even better.
 
The upholsterer who installed my BN2 leather seat kits--he said they were, uh, a female dog--used this stuff:

https://www.ebay.com/p/DAP-00233-We...e-1-Gallon/1400985140?iid=282523944709&chn=ps

He was 83 when I met him, and had been doing upholstery since he was 13 so I figured he knew something.

I see something similar comes in a rattle can (I don't understand the aversion to them, I've not found a difference from stuff in a can you spray on and the stuff that comes in a can that you put in another can and spray it on):

https://www.walmart.com/ip/16-oz-We...MInYLA-tXx4QIVgsBkCh30_Q2XEAQYASABEgLCV_D_BwE
 
Bob, I used 3M brand 777 spray on glue to do the door panels and rear area panels. It worked fine except for around the edges where it came loose. It may have been my application technique and not the fault of the product, but after that experience, I prefer to use the brush on contact cement on the edges of the panels and anywhere I want to make sure the vinyl will stick.
 
Last I checked, that 3M spray adhesive was over $20/can; I can understand your aversion to it. I bought the Weldwood stuff from the ol' guy--a real character BTW (maybe it's the fumes)--for, I think, $10/qt; it was a lot easier to smear that on with a brush (that may be why we can get better adhesion from the liquid). I keep a couple cans of the aerosols around for quick fixes.
 
Yep, did the Bugeye and the 100-6 with Weldwood, no problems and it’s been eight years this time around.
 
I'm getting ready to glue new vinyl material to my dash. I read an article about doing this, with helpful tips, many years ago. I thought I kept it ... but I can't find it.

I've always used 3M trim adhesive in a spray can. Works perfect if you follow the instructions. Contact cement is unforgiving and can destroy the material if you aren't careful.
 
Whatever you decide on, good luck! Remember, take your time
 
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