dash skins replacements HELP!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
dash skins replacements HELP!
1965 corvette convertible - attempting to put on new dash skins - removed instrument cluster, glove box, radio. have removed metal trim by windshield. Question 1 - Would it be easier to take the bolts out next to windshield and remove the pop rivets on each side where door closes and remove the complete dash? Question 2 - How do I remove the dash pad clips? Do the speakers and clock have to be removed first before removing dash? Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, fellows!!!! Bobby
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 138
From: Clinton Township MI
Cruise-In III Veteran
Bobbywells,
To get those pads off for reskinning, you do not have to remove the clock or radio. The pads are held to the fiberglas dash structure by 28 goofy clips, 14 on each pad. Using the flat blade of a screwdriver, insert the blade inside the clip as you see it and twist. These goofy clips will collapse on the other side when you do this. I didn't break any when I did this but figured the clip was weakened and replaced 'em all (north side of $50.00 for the set).
Wait a minute. I stand corrected. Having the clock and radio out enables you to get at those clips that are on the inside where the pad narrows and flows down to the console.
Here's my archived successful attempt at skiinning mine:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ght=DASH+SKINS
Good luck!
Jim
To get those pads off for reskinning, you do not have to remove the clock or radio. The pads are held to the fiberglas dash structure by 28 goofy clips, 14 on each pad. Using the flat blade of a screwdriver, insert the blade inside the clip as you see it and twist. These goofy clips will collapse on the other side when you do this. I didn't break any when I did this but figured the clip was weakened and replaced 'em all (north side of $50.00 for the set).
Wait a minute. I stand corrected. Having the clock and radio out enables you to get at those clips that are on the inside where the pad narrows and flows down to the console.
Here's my archived successful attempt at skiinning mine:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ght=DASH+SKINS
Good luck!
Jim
Last edited by 6T5RUSH; Jan 23, 2007 at 06:15 PM. Reason: Correction
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 17,682
Likes: 3,678
From: Central Arkansas
1965 corvette convertible - attempting to put on new dash skins - removed instrument cluster, glove box, radio. have removed metal trim by windshield. Question 1 - Would it be easier to take the bolts out next to windshield and remove the pop rivets on each side where door closes and remove the complete dash? Question 2 - How do I remove the dash pad clips? Do the speakers and clock have to be removed first before removing dash? Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, fellows!!!! Bobby
Dan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,553
Likes: 381
From: Strongsville, OH
2016 C2 of the Year Finalist
Dash pad clips are removed by putting something like a screwdriver tip into them and spreading them open. Spreading the outside closes the clip in the inside of the pad area so they can be pulled out.
The clock is easy to remove by popping off the clip that is on the pin on each side of the clock. You can get to it when the glovebox is out. The clock comes out the front.
To get to all the pad clips you'll have to remove the radio as well. The speaker can stay if you're removing the pads only.
Some guys on the forum have found that removing the whole dash is the easiest way to go since some of the pad clips are hard to get to. You'll have to decide on that but since the pads have to be removed to reskin them, I'd give removing them a try first. You'll probably break some of the pad clips when you remove them so plan on replacing some....I think there's 28 and they're about $2 each. Good Luck with your project.
The clock is easy to remove by popping off the clip that is on the pin on each side of the clock. You can get to it when the glovebox is out. The clock comes out the front.
To get to all the pad clips you'll have to remove the radio as well. The speaker can stay if you're removing the pads only.
Some guys on the forum have found that removing the whole dash is the easiest way to go since some of the pad clips are hard to get to. You'll have to decide on that but since the pads have to be removed to reskin them, I'd give removing them a try first. You'll probably break some of the pad clips when you remove them so plan on replacing some....I think there's 28 and they're about $2 each. Good Luck with your project.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 199
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
Remove your dash, you'll be glad you did. I have mine out right now and believe me you won't be able to get some of those clips out because they are just inaccessible otherwise. You will also find other things to take care of when you get that dash out too!
