Reconditioning the Dash In this episode, Classic Car Restoration host Mark Lambert finalizes the restoration of the 1962 Corvette. In this ninth and final episode-installment of this auto-restoration project, the dash gets reconditioned, the steering wheel is replaced and some finishing touches are put on the Corvette's interior. In this first segment, Corvette expert and author of the book 101 Projects for Your Corvette Richard Newton advises Mark on the various options for restoring an aged interior and damaged dashboard, and assists in the repair on our project vehicle. Richard advises repairing the dash with a spray-on dye rather than rather than removing the entire dash-pad and replacing it with a new one. Replacing the dash pad on this vehicle would require removing the entire windshield assembly from the car, a process that could easily damage the original windshield. Tip: If you do opt to purchase a replacement dash-pad for your Corvette, avoid purchasing one that has been removed from another Corvette by cutting it out. If the lip surrounding the dash-pad (figure A) has been cut off, there will be now way to install it in your vehicle. Purchase only from a reputable dealer in restoration parts, and a newly manufactured replacement is preferred. Spray-dying the dash pad was a viable option in our case since the existing dash was not too badly worn or damaged. The dye process utilizes three spray-on components: a vinyl-prep compound, primer coat and color coat. The prep compound softens the vinyl and promotes primer and paint adhesion. The primer coat is applied next, followed by the color-coat (figure B). Before applying the process to our dash, we performed a practice application on a piece of scrap wood (figure C). Note: This is a summary of steps included in the automotive restoration procedures shown in this episode of Classic Car Restoration. These are general guidelines for restoration procedures on this particular make and model of vehicle, and for the level of restoration selected for this project. There may be variations in procedures depending on model, condition of vehicle, level of restoration undertaken and the types of replacement parts or upgrade kits selected. Always follow proper safety precautions, and read and follow manufacturer's guidelines, diagrams and safety notices that come with any replacement parts or kit that you select.
Materials:
Standard automotive tools (socket-wrenches, screwdrivers, nut-drivers, etc.)
Leather-and vinyl-dye kit
Spray-on adhesive
Heat gun
Adhesive cleaner
Masking tape
Steps:
- Upon inspecting the cockpit on our project car, the dash was found to be solid but in need of some restoration. The edges of the dash-cover had come loose and curled up (figure D), so those areas would need to be glued and fitted down properly. Spray dye would be suitable for covering minor blemishes and discoloration. The passenger-side grab-handle would need to be replaced entirely.
- For a restoration like this, first remove all the trim from the dash (figure E) including speaker grille, dash-mounted mirror and defroster vents. Loosen the bolts on the grab-bar and carefully remove it. Unbolt and remove the curved dash-pad trim piece.
- With the dash stripped, work can begin on repairing the corner where the vinyl is peeling up. Use a heat-gun to make the vinyl pliable (figure F).
Safety Alert: Use caution when using a heat gun, as they get very hot. A safer alternative is to use a hand-held hair-dryer. These don't generate as much heat, so they are safer, but the job may take a little longer. - Apply spray-on contact cement to both the dash-pad and the underside of the vinyl (figure G).
- Apply some more heat to help tack the surfaces. Tuck and press the vinyl back down under the weather-stripping using a flat instrument like a flat-head screwdriver (figure H).
- With the loose pieces of vinyl tacked back down, work can begin on dying the vinyl. First, mask off the windshield and dash-cluster using newspaper and masking tape (figure I).
- We used adhesive cleaner to remove dirt and grease from the vinyl so that the dye would adhere properly.
- Since we were simply touching up our dash, and sticking with the original black color, it was not necessary to use a primer coat.
- Apply the spray-on color coat in light coats (figure J).
- Allow the first coat to dry according to the manufacturer's instructions, then add light coats as needed to even out the color.
- When the dye is dry, remove the masking and reinstall the mirror and trim pieces (figure K).
- In our case, we also installed a new replacement grab-handle on the passenger side.
In the segment that follows, a new steering wheel is installed on the Corvette to replace the after-market wheel that had been installed when this Corvette was used as a dragster.
RESOURCES :
Corvette Black Book : 1953-2001
Model: 0933534477
Author: Michael Antonick
Corvette: The American Legend
Model: 0785343741
Author: Consumer Guide Editors
Classic Car Restorer's Handbook: Restoration Tips and Techniques for Owners ...
Model: 1557881944
Author: Jim Richardson
Order this book from Amazon.com
H.P. Books
Classic Car Restoration Guide: The Complete Illustrated Step-By-Step Manual
Model: 1850108900
Author: Lindsay Porter
Order this book from Amazon.com
Haynes Publishing
Special Thanks, Classic Car Restoration: 1962 Corvette (Companies and Products)
Companies and Products
Corvette Central
Full line of Corvette parts and accessories.
Website: www.corvettecentral.com
Dunshee's Corvette Parts
Corvette restoration specialists.
7304 W. Villa Rita Drive
Glendale, AZ 85308
Phone: 602-938-8895
Fax: 602-938-9081
E-mail: 4vetteparts@cox.net
Quanta Restoration and Performance Products
Website: www.quantaproducts.com
Restoration specialists. Quanta Restoration carries (among other specialty items) "correct" fuel tanks for vintage cars.
Lectric Limited
Website: www.lectriclimited.com
Eastwood Company
Unique automotive tools and supplies.
Website: www.eastwoodco.com
Eastwood carries assorted tools, supplies and parts (many hard-to-find) of interest to the auto-restoration hobbyist.
House of Kolor
Automotive paints, primers and painting systems.
Website: www.houseofkolor.com
Strip Technologies of America
A media-blasting facility specializing in coating-removal & coating applications.
4001 Bruhin Road
Knoxville, TN, 37918
Bend-Pak Inc./Ranger Products
Bend-Pak provided the large equipment used throughout the Corvette episodes of DIY's Classic Car Restoration.
NAPA Auto Parts
National Automotive Parts Association.
Customer Support: 877-805-6272
NAPA provided many items that used throughout the Corvette series.
3M Corporation
Products available at retail stores worldwide.
3M provided many general supplies, including all safety equipment, used throughout the Corvette series.
Special Thanks, Classic Car Restoration: 1962 Corvette (Organizations)
Vintage Corvette video and photos provided by General Motors Corporation.
Used with permission, GM Media Archive.
Chevrolet's website: www.chevrolet.com
Corvette Organizations
The National Corvette Museum
Website: www.corvettemuseum.com
The National Corvette Museum is open to the public and offers plant tours and other services and products, including Corvette accessories and memorabilia. The museum also offers library and archive information, build-sheets and a database of information. NCM also sponsors events and gatherings.
For DIY's Classic Car Restoration, the NCM supplied research material and photographs used in episode #201.
National Corvette Restoration Society (NCRS)
Website: www.ncrs.org
The NCRS (National Corvette Restoration Society) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoration, preservation, history and enjoyment of Corvettes made from 1953 through 1986. The group offers publications, database information, resources and discussion boards. They also sponsor Corvette events and NCRS Judging programs.
East Tennessee Corvette Club
The East Tennessee Corvette Club is a non-profit organization of Corvette enthusiasts in the East Tennessee area.
Corvette Expo
Website: www.corvetteexpo.com
Corvette Expo is a promoter of Corvette shows, swap meets, and auctions.
Special Thanks, Classic Car Restoration: 1962 Corvette (Books and Publications)
Books and Publications
Classic Auto Manuals
1910 E.S.E. Loop 323 #317, Tyler, TX 75701, 903-566-1939
Classic Auto Manuals offers factory-original shop manuals, service manuals, body manuals, repair manuals and auto-parts manuals on CD format. They provided the 1962 Corvette manual used as reference in the Corvette series for DIY's Classic Car Restoration.
Standard Catalog of Corvette: 1953-2001
ISBN #0-87349-235-8
Krause Publications
Website: www.krause.com
Book and photos featured in #201 (Corvette History).
Classic Corvette: The First 30 years
by Mike Mueller
ISBN #0-7603-1358-X
Motorbooks International (MBI) Publishing Company
Book and photos featured in episode #201 (Corvette History).
Corvette Buyers Guide 1953 - 1967
by Richard Price
ISBN #0-7603-1009-2
MBI Publishing Company
Featured in Classic Car Restoration episode #209.
Corvette: Fifty Years
by Randy Leffingwell
ISBN #0-7603-1180-3
MBI Publishing Company
101 Projects for Your Corvette: 1984 - 1986
ISBN #0-7603-1461-6
MBI Publishing Company
Author Richard Newton featured as guest on episode #209.
Motorbooks (MBI) catalog & information
Website: www.motorbooks.com
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