Flat black interior trim
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Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 103
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From: Warren MI
Flat black interior trim
My '78 has this flat black interior trim panels on the dash and around the whole rear window. It's been some time and I've forgotten how to deal with this tacky dust, lint catching material! What or how does one go about cleaning that surface?
It's white with dark blue interior. Thinking that may be the only combo that cam with the flat black material??
EDIT:
I guess not, just seen a picture of a silver/red with black panels.
It's white with dark blue interior. Thinking that may be the only combo that cam with the flat black material??
EDIT:
I guess not, just seen a picture of a silver/red with black panels.
Last edited by wptski; Jul 4, 2013 at 10:47 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,372
Likes: 223
From: Beecher Illinois
I've learned to live with the black trim at the dash, don't see any way to do a real good paint job on it short of removing the dash or windshield. Mine at least aren't tacky
The black valance around the rear window's another story.
All of mine on 4 cars were tacky/sticky feeling.
Removed each from the car(remove one side of the interior halo trim and swing the valance out).
Paint stripped them with common paint stripper(don't want to sand them because of the textured finish) and shot em with flat black rustoleum with a gun. I imagine you can use rattle cans too.
Wore gloves reinstalling it and hope to never have to touch or wipe them to keep that perfect black matte look.
The black valance around the rear window's another story.
All of mine on 4 cars were tacky/sticky feeling.
Removed each from the car(remove one side of the interior halo trim and swing the valance out).
Paint stripped them with common paint stripper(don't want to sand them because of the textured finish) and shot em with flat black rustoleum with a gun. I imagine you can use rattle cans too.
Wore gloves reinstalling it and hope to never have to touch or wipe them to keep that perfect black matte look.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 103
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From: Warren MI
I touch the rear piece near the support with the brush on a vacuum yesterday which left marks, WTF!
I had that piece out right after purchase because there was a rumor that turned out to be false about some kind of sticker on top of the gas tank.
I had that piece out right after purchase because there was a rumor that turned out to be false about some kind of sticker on top of the gas tank.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,372
Likes: 223
From: Beecher Illinois
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 103
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From: Warren MI
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Warren MI
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 5,236
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From: Myrtle Beach SC
I've struggled with this on my 78 as well. Several years ago, cleaned it, taped it off and used an interior flat black trim paint to refresh the pad. It's awkward as all hell to attempt this without overspray on surfaces where paint is not desired. Since then, I figured out how to use an airbrush. If I were to do it again, I would use an airbrush.
Eastwood uses a pre-clean product to remove product residue and while I have used it on many surfaces, have yet to experiment with it on the dash pad. I get a white powdery substance that develops overtime. I now use a wet rag to clean it up.
Tom Hill, Corvette engineer at a tech session, shared that all to use on dash was rag and water. He stated that "enhancement" products leave a residue that interacts chemically with the dash material and breaks it down. I learned this after I painted it but prior I had used the usual array of cleaners and enhancement products.
The 1978 Corvette was the first year that flat, black dash was introduced to reduce windshield glare. Since then, it has been used and expanded because it worked. So, all 1978s had the flat dash pad with trim interior color bumped up against it.
Eastwood uses a pre-clean product to remove product residue and while I have used it on many surfaces, have yet to experiment with it on the dash pad. I get a white powdery substance that develops overtime. I now use a wet rag to clean it up.
It's white with dark blue interior. Thinking that may be the only combo that came with the flat black material?
EDIT: I guess not, just seen a picture of a silver/red with black panels.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 103
Likes: 0
From: Warren MI
I've struggled with this on my 78 as well. Several years ago, cleaned it, taped it off and used an interior flat black trim paint to refresh the pad. It's awkward as all hell to attempt this without overspray on surfaces where paint is not desired. Since then, I figured out how to use an airbrush. If I were to do it again, I would use an airbrush.
Eastwood uses a pre-clean product to remove product residue and while I have used it on many surfaces, have yet to experiment with it on the dash pad. I get a white powdery substance that develops overtime. I now use a wet rag to clean it up.
Tom Hill, Corvette engineer at a tech session, shared that all to use on dash was rag and water. He stated that "enhancement" products leave a residue that interacts chemically with the dash material and breaks it down. I learned this after I painted it but prior I had used the usual array of cleaners and enhancement products.
Eastwood uses a pre-clean product to remove product residue and while I have used it on many surfaces, have yet to experiment with it on the dash pad. I get a white powdery substance that develops overtime. I now use a wet rag to clean it up.
Tom Hill, Corvette engineer at a tech session, shared that all to use on dash was rag and water. He stated that "enhancement" products leave a residue that interacts chemically with the dash material and breaks it down. I learned this after I painted it but prior I had used the usual array of cleaners and enhancement products.
