Paint over dash vin?

[Spadman]

Next up in my restoration of my 1970 Dart is to paint the dash frame. As I was beginning to clean it black paint slid off the VIN, make my me think it had been painted over sometime other than the factory. So my question is, should I mask it off or paint over it?

 

[Cuda Al]

The tag (and rivets) should be satin black, ECS sells dry transfers to restore the printing on the tag.

1968-74 Mopar: Factory Exact VIN Plate Dry Transfer

This latex ink dry transfer is a perfect reproduction of the original used by Chrysler. They are basically a "portable" stamping and do not require baking or other difficult application procedures. Transfer time takes about 15 seconds! Complete instructions included. Transfer appears to be a...

ecsauto.com

Alan

 

[Professor Fate]

Yep,^^^.
Either mask off the VIN and refinish it separately (preferable); or remove it, refinish it, and reinstall it using the CORRECT rosette rivets on your refinished dash.
The dry transfers are available from several sources- Vin Plate Transfer Decal Chrysler Corp

 

[Spadman]

Thanks guys! The tag itself is in good condition and the VIN numbers are clear. Cuda Al says it should be satin black I assume paint it and then the dry transfer goes over that? What does the finished product look like? Anyone have a picture? BTW, I assume the dash frame itself should be satin black since my dash is black. Is that the correct shade or should it be a duller finish? If I took it off, where to get the rosette rivets?

 

[Spadman]

Okay, I found a how to video on you tube and the rivets at ECS. Thanks Cuda and Professor!

 

[340sport]

Dashes were painted with suede paint that's still obtainable (or something very similar) for around $200/qt. Rivets and transfer will be another $60. Or you can try searching here for various methods and recommended paints to finish your dash. I have used SEM trim black at a distance to achieve a close replication. You can decide what is best for you....best paint, method or cost.

 

[Jim Kueneman]

Check you local laws before you take it off... Yes many many do but in some states it is felony if you take it off and reattach it (Az changed the wording in the last 5 or so years such that it now says if it is to restore or extend the life of the vehicle it is legal to remove and reattach it and is only illegal if the reason to remove it is for fraudulent purposes).

 

[Spadman]

Thanks Jim; I checked and is illegal in KY to remove a vin tag but one cure is to get a replacement from the manufacturer. Seems like putting the same one back should not be a problem. I might just restore it in place anyway.

 

[Spadman]

I have used SEM trim black at a distance to achieve a close replication. You can decide what is best for you....best paint, method or cost.

I already have the SEM trim black in a spray can on hand that I bought for this job. I guess I’ll go ahead and use that; but I did think about taking it to my it to my local body shop to mix something and spray. I’ve got years of rattle can experience, but this is an important spot. Do you think it would be worth it to get a pro? I’m thinking durability as well as appearance.

 

[Jim Kueneman]

I already have the SEM trim black in a spray can on hand that I bought for this job. I guess I’ll go ahead and use that; but I did think about taking it to my it to my local body shop to mix something and spray. I’ve got years of rattle can experience, but this is an important spot. Do you think it would be worth it to get a pro? I’m thinking durability as well as appearance.

What I use SEM Satin Black is perfect in finish

 

[JDMopar]

If you remove it to restore it, grind the butts off the rivets on the underside of the dash instead of trying to drill them out from the top. If you try to drill them, they will spin and booger up the VIN tag. You can get a kit from ECS with the dry transfer and correct new rivets. You're not doing anything wrong or illegal by restoring original parts.

 

[Spadman]

You can get a kit from ECS with the dry transfer and correct new rivets.

My kit is arriving Saturday. Thanks everyone for enlightening me.

 

[Kendog 170]

I had my dash sandblasted. Left instructions not to blast an 1" around the tag. They blasted it I wasn't aware there is a transfer. I'll have to get one.

The tag (and rivets) should be satin black, ECS sells dry transfers to restore the printing on the tag.

http://[URL]https://ecsauto.com/collections/mopar/products/factory-exact-vin-plate-dry-transfer

[/URL]


Alan

 

[Cuda Al]

Top one is an original, bottom one is redone

Alan

 

[Spadman]

Looks good Cuda. I took mine off and painted it today. My transfer should arrive Saturday.

 

[Spadman]

I had my dash sandblasted

I sandblasted all my linkage and brackets, but the dash frame was somewhat rusty on the back side but too big for my cabinet. I soaked it with Evaporust for a couple of days using paper towels to hold it in place and resetting frequently. It got most of the rust but not all and it flash rusted a bit, so I went to KleanStrip to finish. Took me a few days but it ended up pretty good. After a wipe down with some cleaner, I hit it with Rustoleum. I’m now ready to turn it over and prep and paint the front side. It won’t be hard to get to like the inside, so pretty straightforward to prep and paint

 

[Kendog 170]

Rust mort works pretty good too.
https://www.amazon.com/SEM-69508-Rust-Mort-Pint/dp/B000K21KR0/?tag=fabo03-20

 

[70SwingerGuy]

The tag (and rivets) should be satin black, ECS sells dry transfers to restore the printing on the tag.

http://[URL][URL][URL]https://ecsau...products/factory-exact-vin-plate-dry-transfer

[/URL][/URL][/URL]


Alan

Thats great there is a kit for this, and ECS makes some nice stuff, but when breaking down the price, I get the 40 bucks for the transfer, but holy crap, over US20 bucks(57 for a separate kit of two) PER rivet?? This is taking NOS price gouging to the extreme IMO. Has anyone tried any of the aftermarket rosette rivets?

 

[JDMopar]

Thats great there is a kit for this, and when breaking down the price, I get 40 bucks for the transfer, but holy crap, 20 bucks PER rivet?? Has anyone tried any of the aftermarket rosette rivets?

I got the bright idea to buy a pack of 20 off of Amazon because I have so many cars to do. When they got here.....they might be about the right size to put the tag back on a model car dash.....lol. I found some from another source, but it was an all or none deal and way more than I needed and more than what I wanted to spend. I've decided that I am just going to make my own, as needed.

 

[70SwingerGuy]

I got the bright idea to buy a pack of 20 off of Amazon because I have so many cars to do. When they got here.....they might be about the right size to put the tag back on a model car dash.....lol. I found some from another source, but it was an all or none deal and way more than I needed and more than what I wanted to spend. I've decided that I am just going to make my own, as needed.

Gotcha.