Replacing the carpet, adding sound insulation, dying (same color) all plastic, installing new mounted seats, installing new door panels, arm rests, painting the black plastic trim in back window, putting in late model Camaro seat belts, checking all the dash bulbs, installing new speakers, replacing the window switches, generally gutting the interior to finish it all off with new, dyed, painted or cleaned parts. One thing I am not doing is the dash. Considering all that I have out now is it easy to remove and repaint (dye) or should I 1) leave it in and dye it, or 2) remove it and dye it? IF it should be removed won't there be a risk of cracking it? What else should I do while I am in here? Taking all this apart again to replace something that was missed now would be a real shame.

Thanks for the help.

 

If you do pull the dash out, replace all of the light bulbs. Seems like a good opportunity to me Of course I'd be wary of the "while I'm at its" . . . My interior has been out of my car for a couple of years now . . . It's to the point where I think I'm now leaving it out so that I can prep and paint my car, but that could still be a year or more off before I get to the paint stage at the rate I move

Oh yeah, one other thing . . . I sprayed my rear compartments (battery box, etc) with spray-on bed liner. Looked really slick until my battery boiled over due to a bad voltage regulator in my alternator (had something like 17.5 volts)

If you're sound insulating your car I assume you must also like listening to the radio? If so, why not install a nice stereo system and new speakers?

Hmm, oh yeah, find all of the rusty stuff up front and clean/prime it. That's worth the time.

-dath

 

I did my dash in place, not hard. A lot of masking but still easier than removing it. It came out great

 

Now would be a good time to rebuild your entire heater box with hoses, seals, heater core, etc. I would pull the drivers dash too. PITA I know, but worth it. Replace the lenses, clean the contacts & gage faces, paint the bezels (if needed) replace the vent *****, lube & clean vent mechinisum, etc.. Also gives you access to anything you need to do on the drivers firewall. (brake booster bolts, pedals, vac hoses, door hinge adjustment, etc) Also makes it easier to paint the column, replace courtesy light switches etc..!! I'm glad I went through that trouble cuz I don't want to pull that dash out anytime again soon. ESPECIALLY after re-dying everything around it.
Good Luck
Eddie

 

With such a good looking, new interior, I'd also think about replacing the engine and all the suspension components (while you're at it).

 

Sounds like the last ten months of my life. Just completed the same thing on my 78SA.

I pulled the dash and would recommend doing so. It's only six screws/bolts and will make your life oh so much easier.

While you have it out, wetsand the top and re-dye it, but you knew that already.

Definitely replace the heater box and vent seals. You will also want to replace the vacuum hoses for the HVAC system because these are a PIA at any other point in time.

While the dash is out, pull the wiper mounts and re-bed them. These have a tendency to leak after many years and you can't really get to them with the dash in. It's very simple and you will save yourself some headaches down the line.

Take the time to wirebrush/sand the pedal arms and re-paint them as well. It's a nice touch (especially with new pedal pads).

Enjoy.

 

Forgot to add. If you want to keep the stock stereo, which I did, I would suggest buying a small FM modulator that inserts between the antenna and the radio.

I put one in and now can play my MP3s through the stock radio with very good results. Yes, the sound quality is not concert-hall like but that's what your engine is for

I located the 1/8 plug for the input from the player under the ashtray cover in the lower right hand corner. Can't see it when the cover is closed and if you get a small MP3 player you can sit it ni the ashtray.

 

Thanks to everyone for all the great suggestions! This morning I looked at taking out the dash but there are a few small cracks that look like they would become very large cracks if I try. I started to do as Mooneyed said in his post, tape up everything and dye it in place. I am currently stuck at the glove box ****. I want to take the face off and dye it seperatly but once you remove the 4 small screws that hold the face on the lock will not come thru the hole. I looked at the AIM and it shows the lock comes apart but HOW? What is the trick to getting this off?
Thanks! Doug

 

Thanks for starting this thread, as I plan to gut my interior this fall. I plan to pull out the entire interior, add sound barrier / heat shield under the carpet. While I am at it, I will work on the heater box / core and make sure it is new. I am also going to look for hot air leaks into the car through the firewall. I have an A/C system, and am going to look at all the mechanicals controlling the A/C and Heat. While the interior is gutted, I also have a few guage issues I plan to fix... not to mention a door regulator that is slipping. When it all goes back together, I am replacing the door panels... and possibly either adding a dash pad or maybe even a new dash..... the one I have now is cracked around the speaker. Of course... I also plan to gut the engine compartment and pull the tranny.... Everything will be gone through.... engine compartment and under hood will be detailed and painted... then all put back together. I have a head light assembly that is slow.... it will come up... but sometimes you need to tap on it... I have to figure out exactly what I need to do to repair it. It also rubs a little...so I need to replace the bushings maybe.... or perhaps just adjust it. I have not looked at it closely yet. I keep thinking about the guy who got into a frame off after changing a fuse... I can see myself headed in that direction in a hurry.