C5 Dash Letters - How Do You Keep them On?
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 55,394
Likes: 1
C5 Dash Letters - How Do You Keep them On?
I've had problem with these letters staying on. 3 of them keep coming off so now I may need some thin glue applicator to put them back on. Any suggestions?
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,717
Likes: 0
From: Palmdale CA
St. Jude Donor '06
I was having the same problem and others here suggested applying a small amount of crazy glue or other type of super glue with a toothpick. Tried it about a month ago, and haven't had any more problems.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 19,384
Likes: 87
From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
I tried painting my letters. Looked good but the heat in Vegas was just too much. The paint peeled within a month.
I see you're in FL. If it's heat related can you get a glue that's good for higher temperatures?
I see you're in FL. If it's heat related can you get a glue that's good for higher temperatures?
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 545
Likes: 0
From: springfield va
My dash and steering wheel decals have been on for close to a year with nary a problem so far. I think that one of the important issues to keep in mind is the surface prep before the decals are added. I made sure my surfaces were FREE of any type of grease, oils or other agents. I did this by using ethyl alcohol to clean things first.
Instead of using CA (instant glue) you might consider GOOP or a similar adhesive. It remains pliable and is removable should you ever want to do that.
Instead of using CA (instant glue) you might consider GOOP or a similar adhesive. It remains pliable and is removable should you ever want to do that.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 55,394
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by BobH
My dash and steering wheel decals have been on for close to a year with nary a problem so far. I think that one of the important issues to keep in mind is the surface prep before the decals are added. I made sure my surfaces were FREE of any type of grease, oils or other agents. I did this by using ethyl alcohol to clean things first.
Instead of using CA (instant glue) you might consider GOOP or a similar adhesive. It remains pliable and is removable should you ever want to do that.
Instead of using CA (instant glue) you might consider GOOP or a similar adhesive. It remains pliable and is removable should you ever want to do that.
Yea, I payed attention to the instructions, prepping with denatured alcohol (The instrcutions specify denatured, not ethyl) but 3 Letters are still coming off.
I like the toothpick idea with the crazy glue or maybe even some elmers glue but if I use the glue it has to be a very very thin application.
Lifetime Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 10,702
Likes: 76
From: New Jersey
St. Jude Donor '05, '12-'13, '15-'16, '21
Originally Posted by BobH
My dash and steering wheel decals have been on for close to a year with nary a problem so far. I think that one of the important issues to keep in mind is the surface prep before the decals are added. I made sure my surfaces were FREE of any type of grease, oils or other agents. I did this by using ethyl alcohol to clean things first.
Instead of using CA (instant glue) you might consider GOOP or a similar adhesive. It remains pliable and is removable should you ever want to do that.
Instead of using CA (instant glue) you might consider GOOP or a similar adhesive. It remains pliable and is removable should you ever want to do that.
Same Here. Mine have been on for almost 3 years with no problem. I don't think I could pry them off at this point. As noted above.....cleaning the area prior to placing the inserts is key.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 1
From: GA
Which decals do you have? The 3D decals have been giving quite a few people problems lately; it seems that there is not enough on the letters to bond them permanently to the dash. I removed my letters
from Decal Specialties with the intention of replacing them with the 3D
version and had a difficult time getting them off!
from Decal Specialties with the intention of replacing them with the 3D
version and had a difficult time getting them off!
Administrator
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 368,295
Likes: 24,776
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
I've had my airbag letters on the car for close to three years now and no signs of peeling. I used some rubbing alcohol and thoroughly cleaned the recesses of the letters on the airbag - then just took my time and made sure the vinyl letters were stuck down really well.
Got mine from Corvette Accessories Unlimited.
Got mine from Corvette Accessories Unlimited.
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
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 110
Likes: 0
From: panhandle Florida
Originally Posted by BobH
My dash and steering wheel decals have been on for close to a year with nary a problem so far. I think that one of the important issues to keep in mind is the surface prep before the decals are added. I made sure my surfaces were FREE of any type of grease, oils or other agents. I did this by using ethyl alcohol to clean things first.
Instead of using CA (instant glue) you might consider GOOP or a similar adhesive. It remains pliable and is removable should you ever want to do that.
Instead of using CA (instant glue) you might consider GOOP or a similar adhesive. It remains pliable and is removable should you ever want to do that.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,028
Likes: 5
From: Chicago (Naperville) IL
After you get them to stick, use sun shades to keep the glue from baking in the sun everytime the beast is parked - I use a double one over the front windshield and a single one on the door's windows depending on what time of day it is 
btw - I would not use super glue
good luck
btw - I would not use super glue
good luck
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 55,394
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by TOOGECKO
Which decals do you have? The 3D decals have been giving quite a few people problems lately; it seems that there is not enough on the letters to bond them permanently to the dash. I removed my letters
from Decal Specialties with the intention of replacing them with the 3D
version and had a difficult time getting them off!
from Decal Specialties with the intention of replacing them with the 3D
version and had a difficult time getting them off!
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 16,135
Likes: 5
From: Newberry FL
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '07
A big piece of industrial clear tape! 
You may want to just get some more alcohol and just clean the heck out of the area again, let it sit, go back out and then do it again and let it sit and then try a good adhesive that was mention in early threads that worked for others. I know that with the humidity, the heat and that Florida sun burning down, it makes it aggreviating. Good luck.
You may want to just get some more alcohol and just clean the heck out of the area again, let it sit, go back out and then do it again and let it sit and then try a good adhesive that was mention in early threads that worked for others. I know that with the humidity, the heat and that Florida sun burning down, it makes it aggreviating. Good luck.
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 545
Likes: 0
From: springfield va
Originally Posted by MARK's_C5TT
Yea, I payed attention to the instructions, prepping with denatured alcohol (The instrcutions specify denatured, not ethyl) but 3 Letters are still coming off.
I like the toothpick idea with the crazy glue or maybe even some elmers glue but if I use the glue it has to be a very very thin application.
I like the toothpick idea with the crazy glue or maybe even some elmers glue but if I use the glue it has to be a very very thin application.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 11,028
Likes: 5
From: Chicago (Naperville) IL
Originally Posted by MARK's_C5TT
3D DECALS? Got a link?
...but the *****
won't get back to me on whether it is an exact torch red match - so I have not bought them yet.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,148
Likes: 1
From: GA
Originally Posted by Humy
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Corve...1588QQtcZphoto
...but the ***** won't get back to me on whether it is an exact torch red match - so I have not bought them yet.
...but the *****
won't get back to me on whether it is an exact torch red match - so I have not bought them yet.
Cherish your Hopes...
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 13,074
Likes: 236
From: West Palm Beach FL
Cruise-In VII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by MARK's_C5TT
Yea, I payed attention to the instructions, prepping with denatured alcohol (The instrcutions specify denatured, not ethyl) but 3 Letters are still coming off.
I like the toothpick idea with the crazy glue or maybe even some elmers glue but if I use the glue it has to be a very very thin application.
I like the toothpick idea with the crazy glue or maybe even some elmers glue but if I use the glue it has to be a very very thin application.
....do what i did...I tacked the "R" down with a minute amout of superglue...
the tooth pic may not be bad idea...slow and steady as she goes...