C1 Corvette dash insert
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
C1 Corvette dash insert
Wow -- another huge PITA job that starts out small and takes all day. I don't know how I managed not to screw this up and ding the snot out of the tinny pieces but it looks like I may have lucked out. Grinding off the top and bottom trim strips was hard on the old eyes and I just 2-part epoxied them back on the new center strip...I'm hoping that's plenty to hold it on. Now just have to reinstall without tearing up the dash pad...
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 57
From: Williamsburg Virginia
Good Job.
Good job Frank. When I did mine I chickend out and had Va Vetts do it. Good luck with the install.
Spent the day detailing the '62 as I will be putting it in the Richmond Int Auto Show tomorrow. Will be next to the GM display and they promised to have a new ZR1 on display.
Earl
Spent the day detailing the '62 as I will be putting it in the Richmond Int Auto Show tomorrow. Will be next to the GM display and they promised to have a new ZR1 on display.
Earl
Tech Contributor
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 15,576
Likes: 118
From: Conroe Texas
Congrats Frank.
Looking at your pictures brings back bad memories.
26 years ago I was trying to separate the stainless trim from the aluminum insert, using a small screw driver. To this day I still have a scar in my left hand where the screw driver slipped and I drove it 2" into my palm.
Yours however does not appear to have any blood on it.
Looking at your pictures brings back bad memories.
26 years ago I was trying to separate the stainless trim from the aluminum insert, using a small screw driver. To this day I still have a scar in my left hand where the screw driver slipped and I drove it 2" into my palm.
Yours however does not appear to have any blood on it.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,470
Likes: 1,548
From: Camp Verde AZ
C1 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
2017 C1 of Year Finalist
Fancy jigs there, Frank.
I just used some heavy produce (celery, aspargus, etc) rubber bands and banded the snot out of it while the epoxy cured.
Made sure the rubber bands were NOT where the epoxy was, I used three sets of bands,and epoxied three places each, top and bttom, used a thinner runnier clear epoxy that would flow into the seam between the trim chrome and the insert backplate after everything was banded and compressed and set into place.
Doug
I just used some heavy produce (celery, aspargus, etc) rubber bands and banded the snot out of it while the epoxy cured.
Made sure the rubber bands were NOT where the epoxy was, I used three sets of bands,and epoxied three places each, top and bttom, used a thinner runnier clear epoxy that would flow into the seam between the trim chrome and the insert backplate after everything was banded and compressed and set into place.
Doug
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,934
Likes: 657
From: Norwalk ohio
2019 Corvette of the Year Winner
St. Jude Donor '15
warning when you reassemble into the car
those little trim pieces on either end of the grab bar are a real PIA and will mar the ends of the aluminum insert VERY EASILY. So be careful when you reassemble.....it is not fun....the fun is yet to come!!!
good luck......
good luck......
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
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Army
Got the new insert into the dash last night with no damage...putting cardboard under the sharp tips at the end of the insert sure saves holes in the dash pad.
Just have to get the grab bar on now.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
Good job Frank. When I did mine I chickend out and had Va Vetts do it. Good luck with the install.
Spent the day detailing the '62 as I will be putting it in the Richmond Int Auto Show tomorrow. Will be next to the GM display and they promised to have a new ZR1 on display.
Earl
Spent the day detailing the '62 as I will be putting it in the Richmond Int Auto Show tomorrow. Will be next to the GM display and they promised to have a new ZR1 on display.
Earl
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 3,022
Likes: 1,099
From: Aggieland TX
Found this a while back. Might be helpful. Too late for Frank though!
http://www.corvettecentral.com/media...sh_insert.html
DZ
http://www.corvettecentral.com/media...sh_insert.html
DZ
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,359
Likes: 871
From: Norcal CA
2018 C1 of Year Finalist
Found this a while back. Might be helpful. Too late for Frank though!
http://www.corvettecentral.com/media...sh_insert.html
DZ
http://www.corvettecentral.com/media...sh_insert.html
DZ
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
My problem now is the fit into the dash pad...I glued the bottom lip of the pad up a little higher under the insert hole to avoid exposing a cut spot in the dash pad and now the whole insert is in slightly crooked and the grab bar brackets don't seat well into the insert. I'm taking a break and doing some other stuff and will try finessing that issue later on.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,934
Likes: 657
From: Norwalk ohio
2019 Corvette of the Year Winner
St. Jude Donor '15
I used basically the same procedure that was in the video except NO spot welds or brazing....I would find it hard to believe this trim piece will not stay together for decades with just two part epoxy and I wanted to make life a little easier for some future owner.
My problem now is the fit into the dash pad...I glued the bottom lip of the pad up a little higher under the insert hole to avoid exposing a cut spot in the dash pad and now the whole insert is in slightly crooked and the grab bar brackets don't seat well into the insert. I'm taking a break and doing some other stuff and will try finessing that issue later on.
My problem now is the fit into the dash pad...I glued the bottom lip of the pad up a little higher under the insert hole to avoid exposing a cut spot in the dash pad and now the whole insert is in slightly crooked and the grab bar brackets don't seat well into the insert. I'm taking a break and doing some other stuff and will try finessing that issue later on.
Deep breaths!
Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 606
Likes: 0
From: Prattville AL
I seem to recall getting it back into the new dash pad was twice as frustrating as refinishing the insert... I had to walk away at least twice to ensure I did not rush it... and ruin all of the tedious time already invested...
This is what it looked like when I took it out...
[IMG]
[/IMG]
This is what it looked like when I took it out...
[IMG]
[/IMG]
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
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Army
Well the insert is in now and looks decent but not perfect - but hey they weren't perfect when they were new...the grab bar brackets are just a tad lower than they should be on the insert but more screwing around probably will not help enough to make it worth it...
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,252
Likes: 48
From: Lake Saint Louis Mo
Congrats! When I did my 60, I did everything. I did the suspension, drivelne, moter, heater, wiper transmissions, seat frames, windshield, etc. I had the insert done.
Now, if I could just get the nerve up to start on one of the tops!
Larry
Now, if I could just get the nerve up to start on one of the tops!
Larry
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
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Army
I try to do nearly everything except 'heavy' engine/tranny/differential work. I don't have a lift (nor the expertise). I'll tackle most anything else... It just seems like it takes the 2nd or 3rd time before you get the technique and tricks right on these restoration tasks. No substitute for experience I guess....and reproduction parts don't make life any easier either.
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; Mar 12, 2009 at 09:49 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,359
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From: Norcal CA
2018 C1 of Year Finalist
Yesterday, I put together the insert. It really was not that bad. The hardest part was to remove the stainless steel without making any major marks to the stainless. I sandblasted and painted the housing then cleaned up the inside of the two mouldings. It seemed to help when I put the new insert into the housing. I did not have to use clamps, tape or rubberbands.
I did put a couple of small nicks into the top of the stainless steel moldings when removing the old dash insert. I was able to buff most of it out.
I did put a couple of small nicks into the top of the stainless steel moldings when removing the old dash insert. I was able to buff most of it out.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
Yesterday, I put together the insert. It really was not that bad. The hardest part was to remove the stainless steel without making any major marks to the stainless. I sandblasted and painted the housing then cleaned up the inside of the two mouldings. It seemed to help when I put the new insert into the housing. I did not have to use clamps, tape or rubberbands.
I did put a couple of small nicks into the top of the stainless steel moldings when removing the old dash insert. I was able to buff most of it out.
I did put a couple of small nicks into the top of the stainless steel moldings when removing the old dash insert. I was able to buff most of it out.
Sitting in the car now and sweeping an eye across the interior it d@mn near looks flawless
Drove my C1 200 miles Saturday to two different car shows and
the compliments and positive remarks help offset some of the frustration and pain. This ole 283 is really running fine now...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,359
Likes: 871
From: Norcal CA
2018 C1 of Year Finalist
here's what it looks like after restoring it:
Also, can I use acetone on the aluminum insert? I need to remove some finger prints (I must had a small amount of epoxy on my hands).
The left end has some minor dimples which I believe is covered up by the dash end cap.
Also, can I use acetone on the aluminum insert? I need to remove some finger prints (I must had a small amount of epoxy on my hands).
The left end has some minor dimples which I believe is covered up by the dash end cap.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
here's what it looks like after restoring it:
Also, can I use acetone on the aluminum insert? I need to remove some finger prints (I must had a small amount of epoxy on my hands).
The left end has some minor dimples which I believe is covered up by the dash end cap.
Also, can I use acetone on the aluminum insert? I need to remove some finger prints (I must had a small amount of epoxy on my hands).
The left end has some minor dimples which I believe is covered up by the dash end cap.
I am a big fan of Ooops!, a product I buy from Ace Hardware, I've removed dried putty from house carpet, weatherstrip adhesive from door panels and contact cement from my dash pad and never hurt a thing. Wipe it on, immediately start rubbing, dry the area and then rinse lightly with water, repeat as needed...its never failed me yet.