Is polishing the dash a daft idea

[page3]

I've done some searching on this, and besides a few posts years ago there doesn't seem to be anyone who has done this.

I was thinking of stripping the peeling wood effect (one touch and it'll probably all fall off) and polishing up the metal backing. This could be done without removing the dash and would be nice and cost effective.

If it turns out to be a disaster, I can always re-furbish in the future.

Anyone done this? Any obvious problems?

[Podie]

Sun glare?

There was an S3 that had this done... search the archives...

[WildfireS3]

Not done it, but if you do let us know how it goes. I'm sure that a few of us, (myself included) would like to get rid of the peeling wood effect.

[alexkp]

On this theme - I have an S2 with the rarer full walnut effect dash. It is not pealing at all! However, I am thinking of putting a clear gloss varnish over it to protect it. Has anyone else done this - or have any thoughts about it?

[mgaut]

I'd be interested to hear how it goes, as one of the "I've got a flaky dash" owners.

Seems you won't get much change out of £600 to replace the dash and switch panel, unless someone knows otherwise .......

[page3]

I'm starting on this today, and I know a few of you are interested in the results.

I'm intending to try the following:
1. Mask vinyl (just in case)
2. Remove loose flakes of 'wood'
3. Use a wire brush drill attachment to remove stubborn wood and glue.
4. Sand with course sander
5. Sand with fine sander
6. Buff with buffing cloth
7. Lacquer if necessary
8. Get it professionally re-veneered if it all goes wrong!

On my S3 the dash in one continuous piece of metal. Anyone know:

a) What type of metal? I'm not looking for a glossy finish, but a nice matt result.
b) How (and if) the steering column cover comes off so I can easily get at the dash behind the wheel?
c) Any final tips (or don't do it!). Remember, my dash is in a very sorry state, large (2inch sections) have already fallen off.

(Edited because I can't count - doh!)

>> Edited by page3 on Sunday 2nd May 10:08

[Pies]

Removing the steering cover is quite easy

There are two screws one top and one underneath.They are recessed below the leather so look for a little cut in the leather

[tvrgit]

page3 said:

b) How (and if) the steering column cover comes off so I can easily get at the dash behind the wheel?

There's one philips screw downwards through the top (in front of the hazard switch) and 2 upwards, underneath.

Hope it goes well. I'll be interested to see the results.

[Pies]

Haggis how come you have two screws underneath,Ive been short changed again

[tvrgit]

Maybe you lost one?

(cue frantic search by Pies for hole where missing screw should be...)

[Pies]

Nope no missing screw, i've been sold short

[tvrgit]

are you sure there isn't a screw missing?

[page3]

The story so far...

This is the result after 5 hours of pealing, sanding and polishing:





The photos don't look as good as it does in the metal, so to speak.

I think I like it, but I'm not sure. I certainly like the price of not doing the wood

There is still some more sanding to do especially around the instrumentation area, and I've not used any metal polish yet.

I found it virtually impossible not to scrape a bit of the black surround off the instruments, but I'm not too concerned as I'm planning aluminium ones for Leebee anyway.

If anyone wants to see the result in person, I'll be at the Ace next Friday.

(ps. My steering column only has two screws - one top, one bottom)

[kev s3]

done something similar to mine but took the panel off,used it as a template and bonded some alu to it, finished it off with a tvr badge above the glove box. will try and post some pics if i can work out how to do it!

[srdtvr]

I like what I can see in the piccies. My "wood" has a flakey look and was thinking of cleaning it off and using some of that carbon fibre look film but think dash would need to be to removed - unless someone knows better?
How did you manage to get the old stuff off without damaging the vinyl/switch gear etc.I would imagine a wire brush in a power drill could easily stray to other areas.
- ever thought of an "engine turned" effect using emery in a drill or even just twisting under thumb pressure - works surprisingly well but might not be the look you want.
GOOD JOB

[page3]

I bought all the drill bits but in the end didn't use them. I flaked off as much as I could with a plastic craft spatular and then sanded off any remaining glue, before using wet-and-dry and then polishing. It wasn't too difficult to insert the spatular under the surface and then peel a load off at a time - about 2 1/2 hours to remove it all, an hour to remove any glue and an hour of sanding/polishing. Finally 30 min hoovering up all the vast quantities of mess!

The finish isn't perfect by any means, and could do with more sanding/polishing (but it hasn't stopped raining since!!), and there are some tricky bits that it would be far better to remove the dash.

However, I'm pretty happy and it did avoid removing the dash.

[bridgdav]

Adam

What are you going to do with the Switch Panel..?

Does it look out of place now, by the look of the photo it looks in pretty good condition.

I'm having a stainless and 2 mild steel switch panels laser cut this week, just to see how they look.

Stainless for show and will probably paint the others. My current plate is BRG the same as the car - done by previous owner.

[page3]

bridgdav said:

Adam What are you going to do with the Switch Panel..? Does it look out of place now, by the look of the photo it looks in pretty good condition. I'm having a stainless and 2 mild steel switch panels laser cut this week, just to see how they look. Stainless for show and will probably paint the others. My current plate is BRG the same as the car - done by previous owner.

Ah, good question - well spotted

The switch panel is almost brand new as it was replaced by the previous owner.

I was planning on keeping it for now while I decide if I like the dash as it is. If I do then I'd be VERY interested in the results of your Stainless panel

If I decide I don't like my dash then I've still got plenty of options:
a) Re-veneer it next year if/when funds permit.
b) Removing the dash and using it as a template for a real stainless one.
c) As B but in carbon-fibre
d) As B but in blue leather to match the trim.

All the above mean more money and the effort of removing the dash - something I was trying to avoid!

I'm hoping for some honest (but perhaps not TOO honest ) opinions at the Ace meet on Friday.

[edited because I added more options...]

>> Edited by page3 on Tuesday 4th May 21:01

[Pies]

Just one question how are you going to keep it rust free

[bridgdav]

page3 said:

Removing the dash and using it as a template for a real stainless one.

I did put out a request a while ago....

Has anybody got the template for the dash panel...?

If so I might be able to get stainless or mild steel ones made...

The switch plates are using up a favour, but they still owe me a couple...