Dash Cap Install
by Roman Rist - Reprinted with his permission.
Hey folks, me again.
If you are installing a late model interior, including dash cap and the vacu-formed plastic window trim pieces, I highly advise TAKING OUT THE WINDSHIELD!
Note-You do not have to take the windshield out to install the dash cap-skip that part. The window trim pieces Roman speaks of are the vacu-formed plastic that are easier to put on with the windshield out and the door weather strip removed. Regular vinyl can be persuaded with just the use of a plastic putty knife or fid to push the vinyl under the seal.
Here is why; the trim pieces are a cheesy fit if installed on top, however, if you take out the glass and remove ALL old window trim, you can get a factory perfect fit! Also, you can get the dash cap to fit much better with the window out.
Here is how you do it:
- 1) Remove glass, providing you have new rubber to install when you are ready to reassemble.
- 2)Remove steering wheel, radio console and ignition assembly, unscrew dash, pull it out far enough so you can work around it.
- 3)Remove all window trim, clean off old glue
- 4)Line up the side window trim, don't worry about top piece yet ( that is last)
- 5) With an exacto or other sharp blade, trim the pieces for a good fit.
- 6) Now this is important!, thin out the back of the trim with 80 grit sandpaper. What you are doing here is approximating the thickness of the original vinyl. Take your time,and try to get it as thin as possible on the outside edges.
- 7) When you are satisfied with the fit, glue it up to the window frame. ( I used contact cement and lots of clamps! )
- 8) Do not, I repeat, do not install the top piece!
Now, on to the dash cap.
What worked for me and gave me a MUCH better fit was this:
- 1) Chip, peel, whatever, as much of the cracked up plastic off of the dash as you can get. (I know that the cap is designed to go over the cracked up plastic, but my installation looks better than most I have seen, so I must be on to something) If don't beleive me, ask Victor(Laury).
- 2) Unscrew twisties from bottom.
- 3) When you are satisfied with the fit, glue it up, use lots of glue, lots of wedges, lots of duct tape, lots of clamps, etc. (almost forgot, paint black any areas of the original dash that may show, before gluing).
- 4)When glue is dry (24 hrs) reinstall twisties, clean up any glue that has squeezed out, and screw dash back in.
- 5) Reinstall ignition assy, leave wheel off for now.
- 6)Install new rubber on window and using the "rope trick", install the window Note: you are on your own, on the stainless molding, it is hell! Victor and I were on the verge of smashing my new window over that stuff.(secretly I wanted the look of a non stainless window)
Steve's Tip:Put the stainless trim on before you put the windshield glass back into he body. I learned this the hard way on a Z car. Trim on first makes it much easier-trust me!
Now here is where all your previous sanding will pay off!
THE WINDOW RUBBER WILL GO OVER THE WINDOW TRIM...JUST LIKE STOCK!!! and once the door rubber is installed it will not come off.
The look is super clean, like factory!
Last step; Now you can glue the top trim on! Oh, you might want to install your wheel, if you want to drive it, that is all there is to it.
OK, hope this is of some use to someone.
Roman