Dash Face Rehab

[gmagana]

Hello all, just some tips for an early dash rehab, I am going to get some pics and send them to Steve to add to the site.
Gerardo

OPTION 1: POWDERCOATING: You can send the dash face in to be powdercoated
along with the console face and shift plate. They have a nice black wrinkle
paint which is like the original. Cost on this method is about 125 to 150
dollars.

OPTION 2: DO-IT-YOURSELF
1. Buy two cans of Eastwood's wrinkle paint.
2. Lightly sand the face so the paint has a good adhering surface.
3. After sanding, clean the face with alcohol or a paint thinner to get any
sanding residue off as well as any grease grime etc.
4. Set up the dash on a saw horse along with your other items.
5. If possible, paint in the full heat of the day.
6. Place a thick coat on and I really mean THICK. Don't worry if it looks
like the wrinkles are big; they shrink with the heat. Just be careful with
runs; make sure you move that spray can around.
7. Another effective way I have done this in the winter (and it should
certainly work in the summer) is to use a pair of 500 watt halogen lamps to
shine directly down at close proximity to the dash. This in essence bakes
the paint and causes it to shrink. If you do it this way, let the dash cure
for two days before handling it.
8. Whether outside or using lamps, it is very important to let the dash get
as hot as possible.
9. When you are done there is no need for a "clear" coat as you have a nice
new coat of wrinkle paint, and I can tell you personally the result is
awesome. It makes all the difference in the world once you put it back
together.
10. The cost by doing it this way is approximately twenty dollars and it
turns out very similar results as powdercoating.

[spl310]

Gerardo,

Rather than Tech Tips, this should probably go under Restoration Tips. What do you think? Steve can probably move it...

[Datsun 440]

Thanks for all the input.After the dash totally dryed it looks ok. The spot were the small holes where the CB radio hook was screwed on between the glove box and first gauge still needs work.Why would same one put screws in the dash board.
I picked up a can of PLasti-Cote Hammer finish.Did a sample on a piece of metal, looks real good.But it only comes in grey and will need topcoated with the satin black T8 PLasti-Cote.
I will send some pictures when complete.
Thanks Arnold
67.2/2000

[DatsunDave]

68-70 dash restoration...

I need some help clarifying the meaning of "dash pad / cap".

I see a number of vendors selling "dash pads / caps". I see "foam reproduction" and I also see places like JustDashes or Dashboard Restorations that refurbish the dash.

WTF?!

Is a dash pad / cap just some thin covering that slips over the original, cracked and deteriorating dash or is it an actual replacement. Is a foam replacement any good. Do I just pay the $700 for getting my original parts refurbished?

Help?!

[itsa68]

Cap fits over the existing!

You'll have to make the decision whether to go for the $700 rebuild or use a cap which also looks good.
The money saved by going the cap way, may be used for more important things like brake, shocks, carbs....etc.

Ray B.

[EScanlon]

You might want to note the VIN number of your car and IF you have a VIN plate on the dash to determine if the Dash Cap will do a perfect job.

The earliest 68 dashes did NOT have a VIN plate in the corner in front of the driver's side. Later ones DID have a VIN plate and as such, when you order a Dash Cap you will get one with a cutout for the VIN Plate.

If you don't mind the need to trim the edge of the cap (there's a curved lip to the edge of the cap) in order to make it lay flat; then the dash cap may be the cheapest way of restoring an early 68 dash.

Unfortunately, none of the dash caps available have the extra piece of plastic to cover the non-existing VIN plate portion of the dash.

FWIW
E

[DatsunDave]

Thanks for the info. I am clear now.

Dash cap = gross

I'll pay to have the dash restored over the winter.

[ppeters914]

A dash cap, properly installed can be very nice, and very hard to tell from an original dash.

I'm with Mark on this one. Greg Burrows installed Dean's "middle grade" dash cap on his 67.5. Looks great and what I'll do down the road.

Also less than half the cost of a dash restoration. Not that there's anything WRONG with that!

[Linda]

Maybe Alvin, or someone else, can provide some pic links to some cars with dash caps installed, so that you can see how they look.

Linda
68 1600

[DatsunDave]

Maybe Alvin, or someone else, can provide some pic links to some cars with dash caps installed, so that you can see how they look.

Linda
68 1600

That would be great.

I apologise if I offended anyone by disparaging the caps. I just thought that if I am spending a pile of money on a restoration I might as well do the dash "properly" too. For a quick cosmetic fix I think a cap would be appropriate.

[dbrick]

Maybe Alvin, or someone else, can provide some pic links to some cars with dash caps installed, so that you can see how they look.

Linda
68 1600

Funny part is, if they are done well, almost no difference you could see in a photo. I have one, I removed and reinstalled it, was done badly the first time. It's OK, glove box hooks the edge when closing, but has been trimmed and messed with. Looks a whole lot better than what is under it.

[Fairlady66]

I would love to see pictures of the dashes that were done with the wrinkle paint.

[Ldino21]

This should be renamed Dash FAce Rehab!!

[S Allen]

This should be renamed Dash FAce Rehab!!

Done!

Steve