Warning: Wood insert for console problems
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 379
Likes: 54
Warning: Wood insert for console problems
FYI, Recently I've purchased 2 'wood' inserts for the console, one from Ecklers and one from Corvette World. Both suffered these problems:
A. Cut-outs were a little off so that the insert would not seat on the console plate. I used a dremel grinder to enlarge the slots.
B. The adhesive was weak. Neither would adhere to the plate for more than a few minutes. The console surface was very clean, no silicone or Armor-All. I've designed a number of parts that use an adhesive backing, and there are different levels of quality of adhesives. These must have a cheap, "non-aggressive" adhesive.
In past years, I've installed dozens of console inserts with no problems. Once, again, it's a shame when a 10 minute job takes hours due to poorly made replacement parts. I hope this helps or at least prepares other forum members for these problems.
John
A. Cut-outs were a little off so that the insert would not seat on the console plate. I used a dremel grinder to enlarge the slots.
B. The adhesive was weak. Neither would adhere to the plate for more than a few minutes. The console surface was very clean, no silicone or Armor-All. I've designed a number of parts that use an adhesive backing, and there are different levels of quality of adhesives. These must have a cheap, "non-aggressive" adhesive.
In past years, I've installed dozens of console inserts with no problems. Once, again, it's a shame when a 10 minute job takes hours due to poorly made replacement parts. I hope this helps or at least prepares other forum members for these problems.
John
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
John, I ran into the same problem with one I got from Corvette Central. I was able to work it over with a razor blade after carefully putting the backing paper back on.
I would bet that these were made from a copy which makes them slightly smaller than the template.
As far as the adhesive, I'm sure there is a compromise between epoxy and school paste. On the one hand, if they use a permanent glue or cement they risk ruining an expensive shifter plate. If the insert ever has to be replaced you're out of luck. But there is certainly better options that what they used that won't destroy the surface of the shifter plate.
I ended up getting mine to stick by going over my shifter plate with 90% rubbing alcohol before I ever tried it. The 70% alcohol leaves a residue that can make weak adhesives not stick. Then I sprayed the back with 3M Spray Adhesive. Applied correctly that stuff will hold most anything.
cc
I would bet that these were made from a copy which makes them slightly smaller than the template.
As far as the adhesive, I'm sure there is a compromise between epoxy and school paste. On the one hand, if they use a permanent glue or cement they risk ruining an expensive shifter plate. If the insert ever has to be replaced you're out of luck. But there is certainly better options that what they used that won't destroy the surface of the shifter plate.
I ended up getting mine to stick by going over my shifter plate with 90% rubbing alcohol before I ever tried it. The 70% alcohol leaves a residue that can make weak adhesives not stick. Then I sprayed the back with 3M Spray Adhesive. Applied correctly that stuff will hold most anything.
cc
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 379
Likes: 54
cc,
Thanks for the adhesive suggestions. I have the same concerns about what they would be like to remove later.
I'll probably use 3M spray trim adhesive, but apply it to the plate with a small brush. I wonder how that gummy stuff some magazines use to attach sales flyers would work.
Correction: I recall now that I used a fine file to open the cut-outs, supporting the flimsy aluminum substrate in a soft-jawed vise.
John
Thanks for the adhesive suggestions. I have the same concerns about what they would be like to remove later.
I'll probably use 3M spray trim adhesive, but apply it to the plate with a small brush. I wonder how that gummy stuff some magazines use to attach sales flyers would work.
Correction: I recall now that I used a fine file to open the cut-outs, supporting the flimsy aluminum substrate in a soft-jawed vise.
John
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 61
From: Wichita KS
It holds well but it's pretty thick. I think you'd have a noticeable depth problem between the shifter plate and the insert.
The 3M adhesive worked really well. I'm curious, contact cement like 3M adhesive is very difficult to apply evenly with a brush why wouldn't you use the spray?
cc
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,677
Likes: 1
From: Potomac Falls VA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
Any pics, i got a nice oak woodgrain steering wheel and was considering a wood overlay for the consul or maybe a carbon fiber or aluminum. I'd like to see how the wood looked, any before and after pics??
Thanks for the warning.
Nevermind just saw them on your other post, amazing!!!!! just what i had pictured in my head.
Thanks for the warning.
Nevermind just saw them on your other post, amazing!!!!! just what i had pictured in my head.
Last edited by 68 NJConv 454; Mar 26, 2007 at 01:27 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 379
Likes: 54
Chris,
Thanks for the feedback, perhaps MidAmerica has a better supplier for this part.
I didn't use spray glue on the console plate because I am too lazy to tape everything.
Then it was too difficult to remove the poor adhesive from the back of the insert, so I just used 3M double sided tape. Holding good so far.
John
Thanks for the feedback, perhaps MidAmerica has a better supplier for this part.
I didn't use spray glue on the console plate because I am too lazy to tape everything.
Then it was too difficult to remove the poor adhesive from the back of the insert, so I just used 3M double sided tape. Holding good so far.
John
Last edited by Spot Rot; Mar 27, 2007 at 03:29 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 379
Likes: 54
double-sided tape NG
Might save someone the effort: The tape only held for a little while.
I then pulled the plate, masked it, and sprayed with 3M General Trim Adhesive, 08088.
'Sprayed the backside of the insert too. I tried to remove the defective adhesive but that was not going to happen so I sprayed over it -- seems to be holding several weeks later.
It's frustrating that someone just sent an original insert to China and said "Copy this a cheaply as you can." -- and then the parts distributors dump it on us. The crappy quality made a 5 minute job take about 2 hours (with trimming, R&R, masking etc.)
It would be great if there was a resource to identify good vs bad reproduction Corvette parts.
I then pulled the plate, masked it, and sprayed with 3M General Trim Adhesive, 08088.
'Sprayed the backside of the insert too. I tried to remove the defective adhesive but that was not going to happen so I sprayed over it -- seems to be holding several weeks later.
It's frustrating that someone just sent an original insert to China and said "Copy this a cheaply as you can." -- and then the parts distributors dump it on us. The crappy quality made a 5 minute job take about 2 hours (with trimming, R&R, masking etc.)
It would be great if there was a resource to identify good vs bad reproduction Corvette parts.