1966 Barracuda : dash facia repaint

[AussiePlymouths]

Has anyone on here repainted their Bcuda plastic dash facia please?

My car is a bit of a beater but looking at that worn facia is spoiling my driving enjoyment.

I took it off the dash and removed the clear perspex gauge windows.

I was thinking to sand it, then give it a coat with plastic bumper primer, then paint the black shadow areas around the gauges and the black recess around the panel.
Then somehow mask all that off and spray the lot with silver.

Has anyone does this, and can advise whether I am correct, or can anyone offer tips or tricks please?

I believe that these were chromed from facory like the armrest bases, but it isn't a restoration, more a tidyup.

TIA
Gary

 

[65TerrorCuda]

I didn't go crazy, just used black paint for plastic. Took a really long time to cure but the results are decent. No sanding either.

 

[Syleng1]

3m scotch bright pad (maroon) and then a plastic primer and then color of your choice. I had mine professionally restored. All the chrome was redone and the unit properly repainted. 5 years ago it was $1000 just for the gauge part. The heater and the glove box was like $450 more. So I see why some people want to paint vs. factory redo.

 

[AussiePlymouths]

3m scotch bright pad (maroon) and then a plastic primer and then color of your choice. I had mine professionally restored. All the chrome was redone and the unit properly repainted. 5 years ago it was $1000 just for the gauge part. The heater and the glove box was like $450 more. So I see why some people want to paint vs. factory redo.

Thank you Sir, appreciate your input on my post again here.
Yes, I can understand the cost of a full resto, and I am sure that it would look super, but this car is definitely no resto, so doing everything on the cheap here .
I will be happy with just a facelift, at my age I will likely peg out before the resto was finished, I will do a paint and enjoy driving. Thank you again.

 

[66fs]

I'll take some pictures to guide you on paint.

 

[AussiePlymouths]

I'll take some pictures to guide you on paint.

Super! Thank you, I would really appreciate that!

 

[Bozwel]

I used wheel silver, black trim tape and light coating of lacquer.

to mimic the chrome finish i used thin strips of aluminum tape, took a bit but not too bad.

The RHD one is a conversion i did. the LHD one is for another '66 i have

 

[Syleng1]

Here is mine all tricked out.
I went with the factory radio but it was not installed yet (at that point)
I full understand about wanting to make it look better. But I want to add: who cares about age…. Let the car keep you going. Look at RRR, he must be like 105 by now. LMAO!

 

[AussiePlymouths]

I used wheel silver, black trim tape and light coating of lacquer.

to mimic the chrome finish i used thin strips of aluminum tape, took a bit but not too bad.

View attachment 1716389123

View attachment 1716389124

View attachment 1716389125

The RHD one is a conversion i did. the LHD one is for another '66 i have

Magic!
So where are you at please?

And where did you get that black tape at that width, I looked online but no good

 

[AussiePlymouths]

Here is mine all tricked out.
I went with the factory radio but it was not installed yet (at that point)
I full understand about wanting to make it look better. But I want to add: who cares about age…. Let the car keep you going. Look at RRR, he must be like 105 by now. LMAO!View attachment 1716389197View attachment 1716389198

Beautiful interior, thanks for posting , drool time!

 

[65TerrorCuda]

You guys do some nice work

 

[Mike69cuda]

Pretty much all the chrome paint is crap and doesn’t last. It never dries, will finger print a week later. I have heard that you can heat cure it and it works better, but I haven’t tried that. The paint in the can NEVER looks anything like the cap on the can.

 

[66fs]

Here is mine all tricked out.
I went with the factory radio but it was not installed yet (at that point)
I full understand about wanting to make it look better. But I want to add: who cares about age…. Let the car keep you going. Look at RRR, he must be like 105 by now. LMAO!View attachment 1716389197View attachment 1716389198

Wow! Who restored your dash and console?

 

[swedefish]

I did use Molotov liquid chrome for toucing up som bezels for the dash on the sons B-cuda. As close to chrome as you can get. Not cheap but looks really nice. Used an airbrusch to spray it.
https://markersnpens.se/cdn/shop/files/Molotow-Liquid-Chrome-Refill-30ml_All_2621_8.jpg?v=1726007248

 

[Syleng1]

Wow! Who restored your dash and console?

Instrument Specialties in North Kingston, RI. Not cheap but quality is amazing. Expect a time delay also. 8-9months is normal for plastic repair/ rechrome.

 

[66fs]

Instrument Specialties in North Kingston, RI. Not cheap but quality is amazing. Expect a time delay also. 8-9months is normal for plastic repair/ rechrome.View attachment 1716389568

I may end up taking a 66 dash and parts plus a console top with me to Carlisle this year. I have time. Thank you!

 

[Bozwel]

Magic!
So where are you at please?

And where did you get that black tape at that width, I looked online but no good

Black tape is just 3mm pin striping tape off ebay

i'm in the UK

 

[66fs]

66 Barracuda spare instrument panel

My 66 today

 

[AussiePlymouths]

Black tape is just 3mm pin striping tape off ebay

i'm in the UK

Thanks for the tape tip !

So that is why the rhd dash

I take it then that you are allowed to drive lhd vehicles there?

 

[Bozwel]

Thanks for the tape tip !

So that is why the rhd dash

I take it then that you are allowed to drive lhd vehicles there?

LHD is fine here but i'm in the south east and it is quite busy on the roads so RHD is easier

My plan is to never sell it so value is irrelevant (for some weird reason most Brits insist an American car must be LHD and will not consider buying a RHD version as it seems no-one here wants them?)

the Blue one i'm converting to RHD is a Genuine Formula S 3 speed auto, the Gold one is a Commando 4 speed (but fitted with a '67 318) and will end up as a parts car. I have plans for the manual gearbox to go into a '60's British car that came with a Mopar 383 as standard (i may fit the 318 in a tuned form to match the standard 383 horse power to lose 80kgs off the front end) just depends on the condition of the car i end up with, just future plans at the moment.

 

[AussiePlymouths]

LHD is fine here but i'm in the south east and it is quite busy on the roads so RHD is easier

My plan is to never sell it so value is irrelevant (for some weird reason most Brits insist an American car must be LHD and will not consider buying a RHD version as it seems no-one here wants them?)

the Blue one i'm converting to RHD is a Genuine Formula S 3 speed auto, the Gold one is a Commando 4 speed (but fitted with a '67 318) and will end up as a parts car. I have plans for the manual gearbox to go into a '60's British car that came with a Mopar 383 as standard (i may fit the 318 in a tuned form to match the standard 383 horse power to lose 80kgs off the front end) just depends on the condition of the car i end up with, just future plans at the moment.

View attachment 1716390172

Very nice mate, thanks for your story

 

[AussiePlymouths]

LHD is fine here but i'm in the south east and it is quite busy on the roads so RHD is easier

My plan is to never sell it so value is irrelevant (for some weird reason most Brits insist an American car must be LHD and will not consider buying a RHD version as it seems no-one here wants them?)

the Blue one i'm converting to RHD is a Genuine Formula S 3 speed auto, the Gold one is a Commando 4 speed (but fitted with a '67 318) and will end up as a parts car. I have plans for the manual gearbox to go into a '60's British car that came with a Mopar 383 as standard (i may fit the 318 in a tuned form to match the standard 383 horse power to lose 80kgs off the front end) just depends on the condition of the car i end up with, just future plans at the moment.

View attachment 1716390172

Just out of interest, did you purchase those cars in the UK, or ship them there from USA yourself?
And are you doing the rhd coversion yourself, or having it engineered ?

Only asking out of curiousity, not necessary for you to answer if I am being too nosey

btw my Barracuda is a '66 in Citron Gold, auto Formula S.
I would have liked a 4 speed for sure, but this one was already here when it came up for sale.

 

[Miranthis]

LHD is fine here but i'm in the south east and it is quite busy on the roads so RHD is easier

My plan is to never sell it so value is irrelevant (for some weird reason most Brits insist an American car must be LHD and will not consider buying a RHD version as it seems no-one here wants them?)

the Blue one i'm converting to RHD is a Genuine Formula S 3 speed auto, the Gold one is a Commando 4 speed (but fitted with a '67 318) and will end up as a parts car. I have plans for the manual gearbox to go into a '60's British car that came with a Mopar 383 as standard (i may fit the 318 in a tuned form to match the standard 383 horse power to lose 80kgs off the front end) just depends on the condition of the car i end up with, just future plans at the moment.

View attachment 1716390172

A non-formula S Commando V-8 is much more rare than a Formula S one. Less than a thousand non- S Commando equipped cars vs. Over 5,000.

 

[Bozwel]

Just out of interest, did you purchase those cars in the UK, or ship them there from USA yourself?
And are you doing the rhd coversion yourself, or having it engineered ?

Only asking out of curiousity, not necessary for you to answer if I am being too nosey

btw my Barracuda is a '66 in Citron Gold, auto Formula S.
I would have liked a 4 speed for sure, but this one was already here when it came up for sale.

The Blue one i purchased in the UK about 3 years ago. The Gold one i imported from the USA about 12 years ago.

the Gold one is pretty much rust free but looks like it's been in a demo derby on the passenger (RH) side.

The Blue one has had new front floor pans but otherwise rust free. I'm doing the RHD conversion myself. Even though it is an auto it has a 7 1/4 sure grip. in the corner of my garage i have a complete drum to drum A Body 8 3/4 axle with sure grip i purchased in the UK. i also have a Kelsey Hays disc brake set up i purchased in the UK and i also got a cheap set of 15 inch Ralley wheels in the UK, all these things don't turn up often here.

 

[GONEFISHIN']

went all black on mine - silver trim is actually on the AutoMeter gauges