C1 need advice on installing a new dash pad

[IH2LOSE]

So I just received my new Al Knoch dash pad.I am going to lay it in place this week end for it to "relax" into place on the car. (heated garage and I am maintaining it at around 55 degrees to help my new paint cure)

I could use all of the help you can offer,

Thanks Again

 

[studiog]

Larry I have never done this but I had a converstion with a Corvette restorer that has done allot cars for a local collector who has about 50 Vettes. He said that often he has to remove some of the foam backing to get a good fit on C1 dash pads. Maybe someone else can comment on this.

 

[61 Silver]

Dash Pad

Hi!



I installed the dash pad on my 61 a few months ago and it is a tricky job. I had the most trouble in the gauge cluster area and dash insert. I had to trim the foam with a razor blade, and I used 40-grit sandpaper to sand the foam until I could get the cluster to fit correctly. The same process for the dash insert and I removed all the foam where it went under the windshield. (Installed a new windshield rubber seal over the vinyl.) You need to be very careful when cutting for the grab bar and trim in very small increments until you like the fit. I would recommend that you install the vinyl under the windshield frame. I only applied glue in the windshield trough and around the radio speaker bezel. Try and find a vinyl adhesive that provides some work time. (Al Knoch sells the glue, but I used a 3-m product. If you need the product number I can provide it tomorrow) I also used a variable temperature heat gun at a low setting to warm the vinyl in some areas. I did glue a few areas under the dash after it was completely installed. It would be nice if a few others respond to this question with helpful hints.



Hope I have helped!

Ray

 

[maxphunn]

I just ordered my AK dashpad so I am interested in any tips as well. I have been told that you need to be carefull not to over trim. I think that the sun and age tends to shrink these pads a tad. My old pad isn't too bad but it has shrunk away from the winshield in the corners and away from the insert. Pat G.

 

[IH2LOSE]

Hi!



I installed the dash pad on my 61 a few months ago and it is a tricky job. I had the most trouble in the gauge cluster area and dash insert. I had to trim the foam with a razor blade, and I used 40-grit sandpaper to sand the foam until I could get the cluster to fit correctly. The same process for the dash insert and I removed all the foam where it went under the windshield. (Installed a new windshield rubber seal over the vinyl.) You need to be very careful when cutting for the grab bar and trim in very small increments until you like the fit. I would recommend that you install the vinyl under the windshield frame. I only applied glue in the windshield trough and around the radio speaker bezel. Try and find a vinyl adhesive that provides some work time. (Al Knoch sells the glue, but I used a 3-m product. If you need the product number I can provide it tomorrow) I also used a variable temperature heat gun at a low setting to warm the vinyl in some areas. I did glue a few areas under the dash after it was completely installed. It would be nice if a few others respond to this question with helpful hints.



Hope I have helped!

Ray

You know ray that one of the tools I dont own is a high quaility heat gun.I have often needed one and used a hair dryer instead, do you think I should have one on hand for this project?

 

[61 Silver]

Dash Pad

You know ray that one of the tools I dont own is a high quaility heat gun.I have often needed one and used a hair dryer instead, do you think I should have one on hand for this project?

Hair dryer should be fine. I used the heat gun where I wrapped the vinyl over the windshield channel. Be careful not to heat the paint.



Ray

 

[IH2LOSE]

Well I just found out Al Knoch has a vedio out on this so I guess I will invest it it to find out what I need to do

 

[2X4's 60]

I have a step by step article from many years ago that I used to replace mine. E-Mail me your address and I'll send you a copy. Good luck, Jim

 

[61 Silver]

I believe this was the thread you were looking for.

 

[firstgear]

I have a step by step article from many years ago that I used to replace mine. E-Mail me your address and I'll send you a copy. Good luck, Jim

anyone have this article? I am at this point now.......

 

[vette]

Larry And Herb. The dash pad is not all that hard to do. If you like, email me so I can give you my phone number if you don't still have it. I will be more than happy to walk you through it. There is just a few small tricks to it and I can tell you much better that I can write it. Brian G.

 

[firstgear]

Larry And Herb. The dash pad is not all that hard to do. If you like, email me so I can give you my phone number if you don't still have it. I will be more than happy to walk you through it. There is just a few small tricks to it and I can tell you much better that I can write it. Brian G.

I actually got it in....I installed the windshield and got to the last nut and found out I cross threaded the end stud of the window post, not bad but enough that I need to take the windshield back off and run a die over it and get it cleaned up. I also was pushing the dash pad down into the window channel with a plastic burger flipper and found a way to pull the rubber molding down off the glass, so it needs to come back off the car no matter what to get that fixed.....

I had Sharon sit on the gas tank and push like the dickens with both feet on the instrument cluster in order to get the bolt holes to line up so I could bolt it down. I have 3 bolts in of the 5 and I figure that is probably good enough....unless someone else suggests to get them all in for some really good reasons......


I learned the hard way with my dash insert to be VERY careful about how it goes on and that you dont even want to breathe on it.....I might get another chance to install another one if I don't like the way this one turned out!!!

 

[dshanks]

anyone have this article? I am at this point now.......

Hey there, do you still have a copy of this step by step on a 1960 Dash pad?

 

[2X4's 60]

Hey there, do you still have a copy of this step by step on a 1960 Dash pad?

Sent you a PM.

 

[critchie]

I had Sharon sit on the gas tank and push like the dickens with both feet on the instrument cluster in order to get the bolt holes to line up so I could bolt it down. I have 3 bolts in of the 5 and I figure that is probably good enough....unless someone else suggests to get them all in for some really good reasons......

That's a good idea. I had a Rube Goldberg device with pads, a scissors jack, and a piece of 2x4.

There is too much padding in the places behind where the instrument panel and dash insert goes. Some of it needs to be trimmed. But you don't know how much. And you can take it off. But you can't put it back on.

I did mine, and then I watched an old pro do one. Some points.

Go sparingly on the glue. It's held on pretty good by the windshield, speaker bezel, defroster bezels, etc.. No need to complicate the job with lots of glue. The top of the dash won't need much, if any, except where it goes under the windshield.

If you use glue, use glue in a can with a brush. It's easier to control than the spray adhesive. The glob of adhesive that builds up and then falls off the spray can nozzle will crater the lacquer paint on your cowl area.

Over time, the pad wants to creep away from the windshield. Put it as far under the windshield as you can. No need to trim it until it comes out the front.

As mentioned earlier, the dash insert and instrument panels are the hardest. A helper who can push for long periods and has the patience to put up with your frustration is invaluable.

 

[John Mcgraw]

Larry,

I would pretty much echo what Chris said. Leave the front flap long and let it run under the windshield frame gasket. Pretty much all the foam will neet to be removed from behind where the dash insert on the passenger side goes, and the instrument cluster on the driver's side. Also, there will be a fit problem at the top of the kick panel on the driver's side. The recess that the kick panel is supposed to fit into will be too high. You can get it down a little by removing some foam up high, but the fit still won't be perfect, bit it is fairly hidden from sight. Al's panels have fit poorly at this location for years.
Get a good heat gun, as a hair dryer will not get the vinyl warm enough to really stretch it. When I get the fit where I want it, I will glue the pad and leave the front edge for last. When the pad is completely installed, I glue the windshield channel with contact cement and then I heat the flap at the front of the until I can stretch it down into the channell tightly and clamp it in place by using the windshield mounting holes to put bolts through. The flap has to get pretty warm to fully stretch the fit down into the groove, but it will make a beautiful job when done.

Another little special tool that you can make to install the dash insert will make life a whole lot easier. When you go to install the insert, you will find the the studs come nowhere close to extending through the fiberglass enough to get the nuts started. Take a couple of all-thread coupling nuts (the nuts that are made to connect 2 pieces of all-thread together and are real long), and turn down the outside of half of the nut on until it will go through the fiberglass. You will end up with a nut that has a threaded sleeve that will reach down and engage the studs and pull the insert into place, so you can put the correct nuts on. I just chuck a nut up in my cordless drill, and run it against the belt sander in the shop until the bottom half is turned down sufficiently to pass through the hole in the fiberglass. With 2 of these nuts, you only need to get the dash insert to within 1/4" of the back of the fiberglass structure to get the nuts started.

Regards, John McGraw

 

[Tosatto]

Dash Pad

I have a step by step article from many years ago that I used to replace mine. E-Mail me your address and I'll send you a copy. Good luck, Jim

Hello,

I own a 1961 C1 and I have to replace the dashboard, so that is it possible to have your step by step article?

Here is my email: grinta@bluewin.ch

Thank you, regards

Ferruccio