Nic Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 I'm in the middle of refurbishing my dash, I've started by removing the panel around the gear stick and have been using the car without it today, I'm just wondering how many panels I can remove and still be able to use the car. I realise it's not going to look pretty for a short while, but I need to keep using the car as long as I can. Has anyone else managed to still drive their car without any dash panels? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jspec Germany Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 Let me know how that goes Nic. I have two issues on my dash. The lip just above the steering wheel is warped and slightly pulling up in a small spot and the defrost/windshield vent up front is sunkin. When I put the air on defrost, it throws up small particles of insulation at me. Not nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kopite Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 i've been without the dial surround on mine for ages since puttin my fist through it after the Carling Cup final! think it's the obvious ones you need like the indicators etc and the bit across the top with the warning lights. i don't really know so i've just wasted your time Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 I've used mine without the main dash panel. The car works OK but it gets bloody hot inside the cabin because with no switches connected the aircon runs at Max heat and the left hand vent can't be turned off. Not very nice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aerotop Dave Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 IIRC the only bit you need to make the car drive is the centre binacle where the rev counter, speedo, etc, are. If this is connected then the rest of it you can do without. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supradibbs Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 u need the top panel with the hazards in as the indicators dont work without it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JustGav Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 And make sure if you have airbags, you plug in the top section electrics of the dash before turning on the igntion. You can take off all the controls from the dash plastics and plug them in, while they may be floating, at least you have full functionality while the plastics are out. Gav Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted May 25, 2005 Author Share Posted May 25, 2005 Cheers guys for the advice, all panels except the top one are now off. Next job is to spend another few hours trying to get the rubbery crap off them Whilst I've got the panels are off I'm also going to mount the RLTC inside and get all the LED's changed to blue. Wish me luck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuttynutz Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 Next job is to spend another few hours trying to get the rubbery crap off them Nic, use your partners Nail varnish with a scotch m3 3m whatever it is sponge to take it off, works a treat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted May 25, 2005 Author Share Posted May 25, 2005 Almost finished sanding down my second set of dash panels in a week. These were a lot easier as there was no paint to remove just the rubber stuff. The rubber finish on my panels was very soft so I got an old plastic credit card and used it as a scrapper to scrap as mush of teh rubber off as possible. I then used a foam sanding block and water and teh remaining rubber finish just flaked off quite easily. My next job is sanding down the spark plug cover back to the plastic, this is going to be a real pain though because of the embossed lettering on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
supradibbs Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 nail vanish u going for a nice shade of pink then????? lol acetone/nail polish remover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aerotop Dave Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 There's a couple of discussion threads in the FAQ section about painting the dash. My rubbery coating has completely had it - you can scrape it off with a thumbnail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geezabloke Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 You could always go for CF with a difference? Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geezabloke Posted May 25, 2005 Share Posted May 25, 2005 Forgot the after pic..lol Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted May 26, 2005 Author Share Posted May 26, 2005 You could always go for CF with a difference? Dave That's my plan Dave to get both dash sets carbon fibre-ised. Did you get yours done yourself? Looks very good, did you lacquer over the top of the transfer? [thread=34660]HERE[/thread] are some more photos that look very similar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted May 26, 2005 Author Share Posted May 26, 2005 All the dash panels and door cards are stripped out of my car now. I have taken the switch units off the panels and reattached these so all the electric are still working and I can still drive the car. It looks a bit scarey at the moment but hopefully once everything is refurbished and put back together it will look good. Whilst I have the door cards are off I'm also going to try to make brackets to mount the speakers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geezabloke Posted May 26, 2005 Share Posted May 26, 2005 Did you get yours done yourself? Looks very good, did you lacquer over the top of the transfer? [thread=34660]HERE[/thread] are some more photos that look very similar. Mine where dipped into a liquid solution with the CF transfer sitting on top, so the panels pass through the design, therefore there are no edges or unsightly exposed or uncovered areas. It looks 100% better in the flesh. The high gloss finish is part of the process, they can also do a Matt finish, in fact they can do any design too, doesnt have to be CF although they have several CF dfesigns on their books. Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tepster Posted May 26, 2005 Share Posted May 26, 2005 they can also do a Matt finish, in fact they can do any design too, doesnt have to be CF although they have several CF dfesigns on their books. Dave who is they?? looks wicked!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terawua Posted May 26, 2005 Share Posted May 26, 2005 Nic, use your partners Nail varnish with a scotch m3 3m whatever it is sponge to take it off, works a treat Its okay, we are all friends here, you can come clean.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geezabloke Posted May 27, 2005 Share Posted May 27, 2005 who is they?? looks wicked!! Company was called Hydro Graphics Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuttynutz Posted May 27, 2005 Share Posted May 27, 2005 Its okay, we are all friends here, you can come clean.... hahaha OOOPS just realised i forgot to say nail varnish REMOVER !!! DOH!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terawua Posted May 28, 2005 Share Posted May 28, 2005 I am interested in this finish. Anyone got it done in the UK... prices? do you have to send off the panels prepped? answers please... thank you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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