Dashboard Options
Discussion
As a newbie with a 97 Chimp 500, the dash is lifing slightly in places (a common problem i gather) and i wonder what options I have from those who have been through the pain. It appears new ones are not an option (or are they) re-veneer seems one option but means a lengthy process removing it, sending it away, re-fitting it etc especially if an garage is completing the work. wWat new option are there other than Levenson stainless dash ?
Any advise appreciated & costs as a guide
Any advise appreciated & costs as a guide
Take the dash out, burn off the veneer and polish it yourself, i did, looks better than leven as it looks brushed ally rather than polished like the leven ones...
Use good sandpaper or a powertool sander - gradually using fine paper then clean and add a clear coat of lacquer to seal it...
Oh, make sure you keep sanding in the same direction, circular is a bugger to get out !!
>> Edited by Tunnelmeister on Thursday 2nd February 17:11
Use good sandpaper or a powertool sander - gradually using fine paper then clean and add a clear coat of lacquer to seal it...
Oh, make sure you keep sanding in the same direction, circular is a bugger to get out !!
>> Edited by Tunnelmeister on Thursday 2nd February 17:11
Same thing happening to mine - just started thinking about a replacement. Don't think the leven or brushed ally finish would look good with my light coloured (biscuit/magnolia)interior. Have been thinking of recovering with leather to match the above colours - wonder if anyone has tried it already 
Tunnelmeister said:
Take the dash out, burn off the veneer and polish it yourself, i did, looks better than leven as it looks brushed ally rather than polished like the leven ones...
Use good sandpaper or a powertool sander - gradually using fine paper then clean and add a clear coat of lacquer to seal it...
Oh, make sure you keep sanding in the same direction, circular is a bugger to get out !!
>> Edited by Tunnelmeister on Thursday 2nd February 17:11
I've got the same happening to my dash. I was going to go for the Leven brushed dash but your solution seems much cheaper! Don't suupose you have any pictures of the finished item?
Don't dismiss the Leven Dash. It's a great product and the staff are very helpful/friendly. A Leven replacement may (not sure) be slightly stiffer than your thin original by the time you take the wood off. I certainly don't regret getting mine (and the original can always be fitted back when you sell the car).
The other issue you may have to consider is that some dashboards are only good old fashioned steel under the wood. You can polish it up but it will soon go rusty - worth looking under a bit of veneer that is lifting to check what you have.
The other issue you may have to consider is that some dashboards are only good old fashioned steel under the wood. You can polish it up but it will soon go rusty - worth looking under a bit of veneer that is lifting to check what you have.
I am going to do something with my dash soon just havent decided what yet. Options are...
1 - send off to be recovered (wood veneer)
2 - Cover in leather or similar - what to do about the small lights near the heater controls and how to finish the edge's where the heater controls stick thro?
3 - Paint the dash to match - similar to the fiat coupe?
4 - polish the existing dash as suggested in this thread
5 - but a leven replacement
Thing is...the buttons for the lights on the early chims are crap so i was thinking about re-styling with aftermarket items but am still unsure.
Not sure if this helps but the issue seems to be becoming more and more common.
1 - send off to be recovered (wood veneer)
2 - Cover in leather or similar - what to do about the small lights near the heater controls and how to finish the edge's where the heater controls stick thro?
3 - Paint the dash to match - similar to the fiat coupe?
4 - polish the existing dash as suggested in this thread
5 - but a leven replacement
Thing is...the buttons for the lights on the early chims are crap so i was thinking about re-styling with aftermarket items but am still unsure.
Not sure if this helps but the issue seems to be becoming more and more common.
had same prob with mine , 1.get the wood done. 2.polished steel. 3. ally. 4. go down the pub .
removed the dash strip the wood,shine it up,no dont like that,cover in leather, no dont like that. Spray the same colour as the car looks the dogs.
what have you to lose.
sorry about the spellings and yes i have licked my dash (dont you)yum
>> Edited by redeye on Saturday 4th February 10:11
>> Edited by redeye on Sunday 5th February 11:12
removed the dash strip the wood,shine it up,no dont like that,cover in leather, no dont like that. Spray the same colour as the car looks the dogs.
what have you to lose.
sorry about the spellings and yes i have licked my dash (dont you)yum
>> Edited by redeye on Saturday 4th February 10:11
>> Edited by redeye on Sunday 5th February 11:12
redeye said:
had same prob with mine , 1.get the wood done. 2.polished steel. 3. ally. 4. go down the pub .
removed the dash strip the wood,shine it up,no dont lick that,cover in leather, no dont lick that. Spray the same colour as the car looks the dogs.
what have you to lose.
>> Edited by redeye on Saturday 4th February 10:11
Why would you Lick your dashboard....
Okay - we're getting slightly off topic now to teh original post - if anyone has close-ups of teh Leven dash or home made effort - images would be useful. Is the dash an easy job to remove or does it require specialist help ? Leven have been v helpful so far with specific order requirements! I guess the re-veneer option is the most expensive, the silver gey effect burr looks nice & would go with my grey interior, again, any images of this would be welcome.
What about an alternative veneer?
www.valeveneers.co.uk/
remove old veneer, clean up. glue new veneer into place (lots of pressure until dry).
lightly sand (polish), spray with laquer, lightly sand (polish), spray with laquer, lightly sand (polish), spray with laquer, lightly sand (polish), spray with laquer etc until satisfied.
you can even use tinted laquer to colour the veneer.
www.valeveneers.co.uk/
remove old veneer, clean up. glue new veneer into place (lots of pressure until dry).
lightly sand (polish), spray with laquer, lightly sand (polish), spray with laquer, lightly sand (polish), spray with laquer, lightly sand (polish), spray with laquer etc until satisfied.
you can even use tinted laquer to colour the veneer.
Here is a pic of the Leven Dash, which was fitted to my car as the wooden dash was badly de-laminating. I reckon it looks great with most colour cars and is very well made, but if you have a light dash top and lower vinyl it may be better to get black or different coloured dials/surrounds to provide more of a contrast???
Cerby4.5
As the Leven dash has a pattern on it you do not get any problems with reflected light/glare, which may be the case with a plain brushed finish item?
>> Edited by cerby4.5 on Monday 6th February 14:10
Cerby4.5
As the Leven dash has a pattern on it you do not get any problems with reflected light/glare, which may be the case with a plain brushed finish item?
>> Edited by cerby4.5 on Monday 6th February 14:10
Personally I love the metal dash, not too keen on the turned ally ones though - bit too bling for my tastes.
Mine is exactly the same as Tunnelboys, ie/ stripped of its veneer and scrubbed up a bit. Doesn't rust and more importantly being buffed rather than polished it doesn't blind you when the sun shines on it.
>> Edited by zippee on Monday 6th February 14:14
Mine is exactly the same as Tunnelboys, ie/ stripped of its veneer and scrubbed up a bit. Doesn't rust and more importantly being buffed rather than polished it doesn't blind you when the sun shines on it.
>> Edited by zippee on Monday 6th February 14:14
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