|
|
|
08-25-2005, 08:42 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Is it savable? *pics*
Im in the market for a SS dash for my 71 Chevelle, and i found one for $85.
It is in ok shape, but has some issues as you will see in the pics. So is this thing savable?      
|
|
08-26-2005, 02:24 AM
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
It's definately savable. I had an article in a mag awhile back about restoring a dash similiar to that. The only thing is the 4 small holes next to the gages. You might have to find a plaque or something to cover them so they are not noticible. Plugging them will be just as bad as leaving the holes. Get some TSP ( tri sodium phosphate ) mix some up and scrub things down, Get a toothbruxh and get in every nook and cranny. Get some Meguiars plastic polish and polish up the clear plastic. Some masking tape, some black paint and some silver paint and you will be looking like new. Post some pics when done.
Kevin
|
|
08-26-2005, 05:14 AM
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
you can fix the holes with a vinyl repair kit. find the grain patch that matches. just like fixing a small tear in vinyl. afterwards you can paint.
|
|
08-26-2005, 07:18 AM
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
If you have the patients the holes are easy to fix. Some filler and a fine pin and patients to re-create the scratches of the grain should be simple since the holes are fairly small. I would enlarge the holes with a countersinking bit but dont make them too much bigger. Primer and paint will hide the rework.
Over all the dash is very savable but you need to do some leg work. You can get crome foil to do the outline and ring areas. But it is the matter of what you want to do. There is a person here in Michigan I send all my dashes to OEM type dashes to for refurbishing. They could fix this one easily to original but it is about 700 bucks crome and all. As for the lenses, a extremely high grit polishing compound for Plexi-glass should clean them up.
|
|
08-27-2005, 02:52 AM
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
Also for the vents...they do make replacements. You might want to check Year One.
|
|
08-27-2005, 01:48 PM
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
I read an article about how to fix the silver paint...get a cutip and dip the tip into a small amount of silver model paint and lightly go over the edges of silver..itll match almost perfectly and if you should slip doing it...just take a small amount of nail polish removed and itll come right off where you dont want it
>>Yea but its definently savable, Good luck< GOTH
|
|
08-27-2005, 03:34 PM
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
The paint and patch will fix it up like a new one.
But shouldn't it have a tack to make it an SS dash? Just curious. Troy
|
|
08-27-2005, 06:05 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
If im not mistaken the tach was on option.
But is could and most likely am wrong. But im not worried about it because, hell i can allways put it in. Im planing on converting it to a guage style dash with the tach of corse. Still cheaper than buying a new one, or trying to find one in a swapmeet that isnt way overpriced.
|
|
08-27-2005, 08:39 PM
|
|||||
|
|||||
|
I am posting a link to my website. I did not make this restoration guide for dashes but I am hosting it for him. It is pretty nice and when I get to the stage of repairing/restoring my dash I am going to use it. Hopefully someone can use it here.
http://www.fatboyspigpen.com/PDF/dash.pdf
|
|
08-28-2005, 01:13 AM
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
I think all SS had a tack and gages.
Ether one was an option on other models, Troy __________________ If you don't make mistakes. your not doing anything. 69 SS/RS full custom Camaro 98 ISCA Grand Champion 69 SS/RS BB Camaro wifes driver 66 Elcamino 350/all dz parts,ac,windows,loaded,my driver 69 SS Chevelle BB conv.fresh frame off 26 T sedan street rod
|
|
08-28-2005, 03:37 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Just got back from picking it up.
It really dosnt look as bad in person. Only other things that need some work besides the holes, are the bottom is a bit scuffed up and the lighter hole is slightly wallowed out. Overall i think i got a good deal. When i paid the guy for the dash he threw in a center section of a 73-74 nova steering wheel for free. 
|
|
09-13-2005, 08:05 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Chevelle Dash
My 69 dash looked about as bad as yours and so I found a better one in a junk car. Unfortunately it was green and mine was black. I disassembled it and thourouglly cleaned up the plastic. The dash cluster is held on with screws that insert into plastic "towers" and these tend to break off. I found some threaded aluminum pieces at the hardware store. I cut off the towers with a Dremel tool and epoxied the aluminum pieces into place. The type of epoxy was for plastic repairs and they look really solid now.
On the 69 dash, the top piece is plastic and it cracks at every screw hole. I cleaned off the visible side to bare plastic and epoxied a strip of aluminum along the entire piece (with clamping) to reinforce it. Then I painted it with Krylon Fusion for plastic. I painted the entire dash with the same paint. If you are very careful, you can mask the silver parts so they get no black paint. I used 3M blue masking tape and a very sharp knife to cut the tape. Next I carefully masked off the black parts and sprayed the silver with Duplicolor Instant chrome enamel. I intend to touch up a few places with a small brush and the same paints. Last, I dissambled the dash cluster and carefully cleaned everything before attaching it. If I was not concerned about "original appearance", I'd get a repo dash in a heart beat. All the time was not worth it and it will probably last only a couple of years anyway. Covan's Classic make some really neat looking aftermarket dashes with a variety of gauges: www.covanclassic.com After this one falls apart, I will probably opt for one like theirs.  I
|
|
09-13-2005, 08:10 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
Covan's Classic Dashes
|
|
11-03-2005, 02:41 PM
|
||||||
|
||||||
|
Chrome trim on dashboard.
I know of another possible option for the chrome trim on the plastic dash pieces, some of it is really just silver paint anyway, on the single bead that goes around the outside of many of them. Find your local art supply or craft store, such as Michael's, (or many others) and get a silver paint pen.
It operates basically like a large ballpoint pen, but instead of ink is filled with silver (or other colors) paint. This is much faster and easier than doing it with a Q-tip. I did it on the dash panel for my Cutlass Supreme, and can send a pic or two of it if you need. Good luck, Marty
|
|
12-05-2005, 12:00 PM
|
||||
|
||||
|
I worked for a Chev dealer during the time your car was new and the way I remember all the SS dashes were with tach and gauges. That dash looks like a plain Chevelle.
Mike
|
|
|
| Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
| Thread Tools | |
|
|
Similar Threads
|
||||
| Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
| Can you tell if my block is still savable? | 2506CYL | Engine | 10 | 08-06-2003 01:50 PM |
