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Dash Pad Replacement - How?

K

klkbloke

Hi All,

I've recently purchased an unfinished project - a Series 5 GT.

Next job on the list is to replace the dash pad. How do I do this?

Plan so far...

1) Remove windscreen frame
2) Remove vents (4 screws each)
3) Glue pad on (which glues? Evostick?)
4) Put it back together again!
5) errrr....Is that it?

I then have to fit the "walnut" dash.

Does anyone have any close up pics of this area?

Cheers.
 
TulsaAlpine

TulsaAlpine

Donation Time
What I Did

I have a Series IV but its a GT. They sale a one piece foam dash pad I don't remember if it was British Victoria or Classic Sunbeam, could of been from Sunbeam Specialties. I had the local upholstery shop make one for my car it was a one price for all the door panels, carpet etc. Yes it would have been cheaper for the kit and do it myself but this shop is reasonable and does excellent work.

Donna
:D
 
P. Scofield

P. Scofield

Bronze Level Sponsor
Bloke,
You will need to remove your dash board as well, and it sounds like yours is out. The crash pad has extra material that goes underneath the top of the dash board and is held in place with a cardboard retainer in the middle section and two vinyl covered aluminum (one on each side) finishers. These are all pop-riveted in place. Of course, everything in relation to the dash pad, is held in place with contact cement.

Use only real brush on type contact cement. DO NOT use the spray type, it will not hold up to the suns heat. There are good instructions as to placing the pad step by step that come with Sunbeam Specialties replacement pad. Anyone else that has a pad gets them from Rick at SS.

After all, he spent $15,000 on the mold back in the late 70's. Just ask him. Never mind, he will tell you without asking.

Paul
 
Alpine 1789

Alpine 1789

SAOCA President
Diamond Level Sponsor
I made my own about 20 years ago. I split a piece of foam pipe insulation in half and glued that to the flange above the dashboard. I then glued a thin piece of foam on the area under the window and wrapped it around the insulation. I glued vinyl to the whole thing, wrapping it under the board as Paul described and finishing it as original. It has held up fine all of these years and, while my car is certainly not a show car, I think most people would be hard pressed to know it was a DIY job. Plus, I didn't have to pay $15,000 to have the mold made.:D
 
M

mikephillips

Donation Time
If you use the dash pad that Sunbeam Specialties or Classic Sunbeam sells, make sure you dry fit it first. The ones I've done required removing a but of the hard foam inside to make them sit properly. If I hadn't the vent holes would not have lined up with the ones in the body. Then glue it down and wrap the front edge up under the dash area retaining it wuth the previously mentioned three pieces. Not hard to do if you take your time.
 
H

howard

Donation Time
I agree with the "don't use the spray-on glue" statement. When it comes to glues, use the 3M Hi-Temp contact cement. It's excellent, and won't let loose in hot summer heat. (I had to order mine online, since this one horse town doesn't carry anything of any quality!)

Make dead sure you've got the thing dry-fitted the way you want it- you won't get a second chance with glue on it!
 
A

alpineiv

P. Scofield said:
After all, he spent $15,000 on the mold back in the late 70's. Just ask him. Never mind, he will tell you without asking.

Paul
Click to expand...
That's odd. I ordered 2 dashpads from Rick about a year ago, but he emailed me back saying they were on order from the UK. Nothing sinister intended here!! just curious as to where they're made? Actually I must reorder from Rick .... still need them.
 
dmich2

dmich2

Donation Time
Does anyone have any suggestions as far as what works best as a replacement for the cardboard strip that secures the dash pad under the middle section? Tried to be careful removing the old one, but a little too brittle. Can be used as a template, and the side pieces are in good shape.

Thanks,
Dennis
 
J

jmthehermit

Donation Time
Try to find the thinnest plexiglass you can. Its rigid enough to handle pop rivets. You can shape it with a file or grinder. It will flex far more than what you need for your application and it takes paint or glue readily. I used plexiglass to make large hood scoops on vettes back in the day. You can also form permanent bends in it by using a heat gun. Jeff
 
jumpinjan

jumpinjan

Bronze Level Sponsor
dmich2 said:
Does anyone have any suggestions as far as what works best as a replacement for the cardboard strip that secures the dash pad under the middle section?
Click to expand...

That strip is just kickboard cardboard. An auto uphostery shop would have it.
 
Green67Alpine

Green67Alpine

Former SAOCA Membership Director
Platinum Level Sponsor
howard said:
I agree with the "don't use the spray-on glue" statement. When it comes to glues, use the 3M Hi-Temp contact cement. It's excellent, and won't let loose in hot summer heat. (I had to order mine online, since this one horse town doesn't carry anything of any quality!)

Make dead sure you've got the thing dry-fitted the way you want it- you won't get a second chance with glue on it!
Click to expand...

Von, Does this cement work on fabric also ? Well not really fabric but seat cover material, etc. You know the stuff in an Alpine.

Tom j
 
dmich2

dmich2

Donation Time
I woud have never thought of plexiglass...Thanks. And I have an upholstery shop right near me, thanks Jan.

Dennis
 
dmich2

dmich2

Donation Time
OK, I'm at a point before contact cement with the dash pad. The front of the pad, part towards the edge nearest the engine compartment, sticks pretty far forward, and the windshield and gasket will sit on top of it. Will the windshield pull down tight enough to seal properly, or do I need to trim the dash pad so the gasket sets on the metal only, not the pad?

Thanks,
Dennis
 
K

kennys 67

dash

dennis, I am watching and following your post, because I will be a few days from being there too. Where did you buy the dash pad? thanks, kenny

life is tough, life is tougher if you're stupid...
 
dmich2

dmich2

Donation Time
:eek: SOMEONE"S WATCHING ME ?!?!

Hope I can be of some help Kenny. I purchased my pad from Classic Sunbeam http://www.classicsunbeam.com/ in NY. I've used them quite a few times and have been very pleased with their products, answering any questions, speed of delivers, prices and return policy. When I compare prices, they seem to be close to Sunbeam Specialists. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not downing SS at all. From all the favorable posts Rick gets on this forum, they, without a doubt are a very reputable company. I just haven't used them.

Back to the dash pad. It's been an interesting project. The pad I bought from CS is very well made and was about 185.00. It comes with some very easy to follow instructions. Some advice, GET A HELPER. In my opinion, it's a 2 person job. My friend had worked with contact cement before and was a big help. And wait until you get to the wax paper part...:confused: Just a part of the install to allow proper placement of the dash w/o contacting the cement. Works pretty well. I'm still waiting to find out about placing the windshield w/gasket onto the dash pad. Just seems like it will hinder the seal.

I've taken some pictures and will post when done. I did miss getting shots of the wax paper part, as I was as nervous and a cat when we did that.

Good luck. Just ask if you need anything.

Dennis
 
B

Bill Blue

Platinum Level Sponsor
Dennis, I mounted the windshield on the dash pad. Is that correct? Beats me, just seemed the logical way to do it as the windshield frame fit the dash pad contour pretty well. In addition, the windshield frame to body seal extends beyond the dash pad. The car has not been wet, so I can't say how it will seal, though I cannot see how it could leak.

As someone is watching you, you can probably understand my reluctance to speak up. Just take it as my observation, not recommendation.

Bill
 
Alpine Bob

Alpine Bob

Donation Time
Dennis,
When I replaced the windscreen (Windsheild) on the Series II, 3GT, and IV I put it right over the dash pad, no leaks and we have been thru many monsoon type rain storms. The top seal leaked but not the windscreen to body seal.
Cheers,
Bob
 
M

mikephillips

Donation Time
Yes the widshield frame should sit on the dash pad. The pad will go all the way to where the metal curves down to the cowl, trim it if necessary so it doesn't go beyond that point. Use a heavy rope type caulk between the top of the pad and the bottom of the frame to body seal to ensure it's watertight, you can use one from the hardware store weatherstrip section.
 
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