dash restore

[Denny]

Finally going to make time to restore my dash ,thought I heard in the past to use brake fluid to strip old paint? Anyone have any tips?

[mon-tss]

pretty sure brake fluid is going to soften the plastic.

Doesn't seem like the way to go.

[Denny]

ya I was thinking ,what could be the advantage?

[420ponies]

I don't think I'd try brake fluid for sure. My original one was in good shape..... was until it fell about 3 feet and is now cracked in about 6 places. Leo Konick got me a new one from Muscle Factory, and it is very nice.  I would think that  SEM products would have something to use on your dash pad. I still have the old one ,just can't seem to toss it out.

[Marks71]

I’d stay away from brake fluid. I know it can remove paint, but never heard of anyone using it for that purpose. I’d be mostly concerned with not getting that oily residue removed entirely and then having adhesion issues, also as Jim alluded to, possibly softening the plastic. Does it really need to be stripped?  I’d wipe it down with a good wax and grease remover then an adhesion promoter for plastics. You could additionally lightly scuff it down with a light to medium Scotchbrite pad. SEM should have most of what you need.

[72 Monte Carlo]

My 72 Monte only had its factory Dark Sequoia Green paint on my dash panel. I was switching the interior from the factory dark green to black.

I just cleaned everything really good several times, then wiped it down with HET cleaner and let that dry.

Then I hit it with plastic adhesion promotor with a few light coats as instructed on the can, and then I hit it with a couple light coats of primer.

Last part was a couple of light coats of SEM black interior paint. 

[cny first gen 71]

The most important part of painting or dying ANY interior parts is cleaning it. Who knows what has been used over the years to clean or condition it. Clean it up several times and then clean it again.  I did my dash pad from green to black several years ago and still looks great. I used SEM paint on it, great product. 

[Scott S.]

I've used nail polish remover before, but it leaves a residue, so don't use lots.

But if you're going to repaint it....... 

[Denny]

thanks to all who replied, sounds like prep is the most important and obvious step .

[willie]

Denny i also have spayed mine but yes, the trick is clean it good and then clean it again. Use the pre spray and then spray color. Always light coats, so no build up or runs!!  

[Jeff Dodson]

I'm doing the same thing, just staying BLACK. it all started with changing the heater core. Now I have the complete dash out and stripped down. I also have to order a printed circuit for my cluster. Figured since it was apart, might as well go ALL THE WAY with it

[stangeba]

Jeff, It's always starts with the heater core. 😂

[jft69z]

1 hour ago, Jeff Dodson said:

 Figured since it was apart, might as well go ALL THE WAY with it

If you really want to go 'ALL THE WAY', then put a Dakota Digital RTX unit in there. Dash is out, now's the time to do it.

Call me if you have questions.

[Jeff Dodson]

That's to rich for my blood at this time. I've spent alot getting all the suspension and body stuff right

[Jeff Dodson]

Question...the headlight switch. I have the big ground washer that goes to the mount. I watched a UTUBE video of a guy reassemble is dash. He said you need the ground strap also, that hooks to the dash frame. If so and I don't have it, probably why my dashlights didn't work ?

[stangeba]

Picture from my 71.

I think the black wire with the narrow metal section is that ground from my 71, from the HL Switch.

One of the ground wires, from the dash, attaches to a small screw on the parking brake assembly.

Can't find a picture showing large ring section that attaches to the switch / knob area. 

 

[Jeff Dodson]

51 minutes ago, stangeba said:

Picture from my 71.

I think the black wire with the narrow metal section is that ground from my 71, from the HL Switch.

One of the ground wires, from the dash, attaches to a small screw on the parking brake assembly.

Can't find a picture showing large ring section that attaches to the switch / knob area. 

 

I dont have the ground strap from the HL SWITCH to the frame like yours. Mine is actually in the harness but mines a 72, if that makes a difference 

[Jeff Dodson]

I'm trying to find this. Anyone know if this will fit our Monte's

[Blackhawk]

https://chevelle.com/1970-column-shift-indicator-assembly/

https://chevelle.com/1971-72-column-shift-indicator-assembly/

If the cable is broken it looks like you could just run a new loop. Fishing leader wire or any flexible cable would work well.

[stangeba]

Best picture I have of my 71 Column shift Monte Carlo shift indicator cable.

[Jeff Dodson]

This one is on AMAZON and I can get it quick. Was wondering if this one will fit

[Jeff Dodson]

Also,  Am I able to put this without removing the cluster from the dash ?

[Scott S.]

2 hours ago, Jeff Dodson said:

This one is on AMAZON and I can get it quick. Was wondering if this one will fit

I believe Amazon has a feature that tells you if a part will/won't fit your car. And a list of what it will fit.

There's a window that asks for all your car's information. 

 

[Scott S.]

2 hours ago, Jeff Dodson said:

Also,  Am I able to put this without removing the cluster from the dash ?

If you work at it from below. You'll have to pull the panel under the steering column to get to it.

[Jeff Dodson]

17 hours ago, Scott S. said:

If you work at it from below. You'll have to pull the panel under the steering column to get to it.

I'm going to hold off putting the dash in until I get the cable. It seems it's up inside and almost need to disassemble the cluster to get to it. I havnt looked real close.