68/9 cuda dash resto ???'s

[4spdragtop]

Ok, I have done a search for home done dash restorations and found that some members have done some really amazing work...some have some tips/hints, but I was kinda looking for a step by step for what they have done....I have a spare bezel that has a chip outta the end of it and is pretty faded, so I figured I may as well give it a try. Here are some pics of the bezel Im going to attempt...Oh I want to go as factory as possible and I would like to attempt an epoxy repair on the chipped end...

Thanks
4spdragtop

 

[Tony Fields]

Hi Steve

340Plot had this thread a while back

http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=123920

 

[4spdragtop]

Hi Tony thanks, I hadnt seen that one in my search. Not bein' picky, but not much info as far as supplies...was it sanded or stripped, grit of paper, what kind of primer ??? Also what type of epoxy to "fix" the chipped end on mine. Mine aint perfect, but Im hoping to not butcher mine...LOL

Thanks
4spdragtop

 

[340plot]

hey, thanks tony!.steve, i started with one that was way worse than yours, but ended up looking real nice. i started by taking the entire unit into seperate pieces. i media blast the plastic plastic face. it did not distort the plastic at all, as i did not sit in one spot with it. this way, it gave me a perfect starting point for all paints to adhere to.
then i pained all the black area with automotive satin black out of a touch-up gun. then taped all off and shot the silver. i do not remember what i used on the silver.
i did no sanding of the plastic, as when i media blasted, it left the surface perfect for epoxy primer then paint. it was alot of work. but worth it in the end.

now, now. i am going to be redoing the rally cluster and dash that i took out of my 340 pink car hear in the next week or two, so ill drop you a line and ill post pics and this time maybe do it like a writup, so others can use it to do theirs!

i also have another thread, besides the one posted above, so let me find it

 

[340plot]

here is after i got done media blasting it

 

[340plot]

this is one i used duplicolor paints on. it turned out good, and still is holding up good in someones car.

 

[340plot]

this is the final pics, after painting all the letters and accents.

 

[4spdragtop]

Thanks Plot! Turned out real nice....all paints were spray bombs??

 

[340plot]

yes, duplicolor from advance auto.

and it still looks just as good today

 

[cudajim]

I painted mine too after I blasted it. I have in the past sent them out to get re-chromed only to find it only lasts about 3-4 years and costs over 400 bucks. In my opinion it's not worth it. Rattle cans are a lot cheaper and the end result looks good if you take your time. Use a new blade in your x-acto knife to cut your green masking tape and you'll get good results. I also used a cotton swab to paint the lettering and other details.

 

[4spdragtop]

Thanks Jim...the only part Im worried about is going with the "chrome in a can" and getting a good finish on it....also what psi and what media did you blast with???

Thanks
4spdragtop

 

[340plot]

i did mine at 80 psi in a hrabpr freight blast cabinet

 

[4spdragtop]

Thanks plot...glass bead??? You have any experience with 2 part epoxy...to fix my chip??

 

[4spdragtop]

Ok, Cosgig, Rani and i are in a friendly competition to redo our cuda dashes. I have sandblasted mine and it came out good. I am assuming I need to primer this before paint. Can anyone recommend a primer that works for plastic?? I will be using spray bombs, I have no paint gun. Also can anyone recommend Chrome spray bombs??

Thanks
4spdragtop

 

[6pk2goDemon]

I saw that competition thread. How could I miss it LOL

An adhesion promoter for plastic would be a good 1st step before primer. This is what I used on my turn signal bezels. They're still holding up great after 2 years of driving........

 

[0ld school]

I just restored the dash for my 68 Cuda, here are some pics

 

[cosgig]

I just restored the dash for my 68 Cuda, here are some pics

We need some facts 0ldschool. Where did the bezel come from?? Did you refinish the guage faces too? They look like brand new!! Inquiring minds want to know!!

Oops, yep, I'm spyin' on you Steve!!!LOL Geof

 

[4spdragtop]

I saw that competition thread. How could I miss it LOL

An adhesion promoter for plastic would be a good 1st step before primer. This is what I used on my turn signal bezels. They're still holding up great after 2 years of driving........

Thanks "C"!! That is the same stuff I bought tonight...jobbers were closed so was limited with choices, but sounds/looks like good stuff! Got the Duplicolor Chrome as well....dunno how this will work, heard both good and bad bout it...we will see.

I just restored the dash for my 68 Cuda, here are some pics

Hey that looks amazing! Did you farm out the work(no offense)?? As Cosgig asked/spied below, give us the facts on it...who did it?? If its your work, what materials??

We need some facts 0ldschool. Where did the bezel come from?? Did you refinish the guage faces too? They look like brand new!! Inquiring minds want to know!!

Oops, yep, I'm spyin' on you Steve!!!LOL Geof

Heeeeyyyyyyy Geof, whacha dune in here?? LOL Seriously though feel free to drop in any questions/advice in regards to the dashes...its all for a common goal which is to have fun and give advice....now GAME ON!!

I sandblasted my bezel today...I was nervous as heck, I didnt want to hammer it too hard, so I turned the psi on the cabinet down to about 45 PSI. I couldnt find any "plastic cleaner" so Im gonna test the Kleen-Flo Brake Cleaner 1st. Then I took "C"'s advice with Adhesion Promoter and Chrome, both from Duplicolor......we will see how it turns out.

Thanks 340plot for the sandblasting tip!

Any advice as to whether I paint the Black areas 1st or do the Chrome 1st?? Im thinking the Black 1st, as I dont want to handle/mask the bezel too much with the Chrome on it?? Any suggestions?

One more thing, Im still up in the air as to whether to used the woodgrain decal kit or not, but does it make a difference as the bezel is "textured" where the black paint was in the upper section???

Oh shoot, yet another question...color suggestion for the "dull" silver??

Thanks
4spdragtop(and Cosgig)

 

[0ld school]

We need some facts 0ldschool. Where did the bezel come from?? Did you refinish the guage faces too? They look like brand new!! Inquiring minds want to know!!

Oops, yep, I'm spyin' on you Steve!!!LOL Geof

with the help from guys on this site, i did:

soda blast the dash frame and steering column
find the correct dash suede paint, it is perfect in every way
had auto instruments re-do all the gauges
just dashes re-did the dash pieces
the bezels are from BE&A. they are alot nicer than i thought they would be

my body guy painted everything, i did everthing else, except the above...

 

[4spdragtop]

with the help from guys on this site, i did:

soda blast the dash frame and steering column
find the correct dash suede paint, it is perfect in every way
had auto instruments re-do all the gauges
just dashes re-did the dash pieces
the bezels are from BE&A. they are alot nicer than i thought they would be

my body guy painted everything, i did everthing else, except the above...

Looks absolutely stunning! When you say "dash suede paint" are you talking for the metal frame?

Thanks again
4spdragtop

 

[0ld school]

Looks absolutely stunning! When you say "dash suede paint" are you talking for the metal frame?

Thanks again
4spdragtop

yes ragtop, it is a flat textured paint for the dash frame. it is also used for the steering column. my particular color was maroon aztec poly. it also has a little bit of gold sparkle to it. it really looks stunning.

when i asked about dash paint, before I started this project, someone on this site referred me to a company that might have the correct original factory lacquer paint. I called them, and they had enough to make me a pint for my dash and a pint of the gloss for all the interior trim.
Here is the thread where I got the help for my dash paint.
http://www.forabodiesonly.com/mopar/showthread.php?t=193591

 

[4spdragtop]

I remember that thread! va58 posted up the codes, he posted 69 codes for me too. So it was applied with a gun? Im looking to do spray bombs...no-dough budget...LOL Was it just a local company that mixed it for you??

Thanks!

 

[0ld school]

I remember that thread! va58 posted up the codes, he posted 69 codes for me too. So it was applied with a gun? Im looking to do spray bombs...no-dough budget...LOL Was it just a local company that mixed it for you??

Thanks!

yes it was sprayed with a gun. it is a laquor that has to be reduced. i dont think you can have it mixed at a local paint store. they could probably get it close thou.

the paint i bought was some of the original factory dye. the company that i bought it from, then mixed it. they said they bought up all of the factory dye. when i bought mine, they said they only had enough dye to make 1 gallon, after that, they said it was all gone. they only sell it by the pint. i think i paid $125.00 per pint. very expensive, but very nice....

the company i bought it from is instrument specialties (mike mancini)

OEM Suede Lacquer Paint – Black: $99.00/pint, Colors: $120.00/pint

We have a limited supply of the original formula PPG Duracryl Suede Lacquer finishes used on many dashboard and steering column applications throughout the 60′s & 70′s. We have the ability to mix most any color while supplies last.

 

[Rocky_JS]

steve, poor mans version. I scuffed mine with 400 wet/dry, sprayed with chrome, argent and black semi flat. I take and separate all lenses from the frames and the buttons also using a light soldering iron to heat the plastic. polish the lenses with a headlight restorer followed up with 3m polishing compound the lenses look new. it take awhile as I wait several days between colors and taping. I use a q-tip to dab the heater control, headlight and wiper lettering and bezel out line. I dab the 3 centers lightly with paper towel since paint covers the spiral design in them. it looks night and day better but not perfect. add re-wrapping the nichrome wire, soldering the pcb pins, cleaning gauge faces. less than $50.
find an old wasted broken dash frame cut the broken piece out of it and 2-part epoxy it. in fact I have a 68 face that is screwed up ill mail that piece to you when I have some time this week.

 

[autoxcuda]

I remember that thread! va58 posted up the codes, he posted 69 codes for me too. So it was applied with a gun? Im looking to do spray bombs...no-dough budget...LOL Was it just a local company that mixed it for you??

Thanks!

I've seen Troy use Rustoleam Textured Black spay bomb paint from Wallmart that looked really well on the metal dash frame itself.

PLEASE do not paint the metal dash frame gloss black. It's not supposed to be gloss and it was done that way on purpose so the driver does not get glare in thier eyes. Also gloss shows all kinds of imperfections and dirt in the paint like the one pictured above.