Chimaera Dash Replacement
Discussion
Hi all.
Just a quick post. Todays job is changing the dash panels.
I’ll do a proper write up on this later but for now I need a little reassurance!
I’ve got a replacement set from TVR Mad. (Burr walnut)
I’ve just noticed that the new panel is flat but the old panel is curved.
Have I got the correct part? I’m just a bit nervous that I’m going to try to fit the new one and it’ll either kink in the middle or the varnish will crack if I try to fit it!!
Just a quick post. Todays job is changing the dash panels.
I’ll do a proper write up on this later but for now I need a little reassurance!
I’ve got a replacement set from TVR Mad. (Burr walnut)
I’ve just noticed that the new panel is flat but the old panel is curved.
Have I got the correct part? I’m just a bit nervous that I’m going to try to fit the new one and it’ll either kink in the middle or the varnish will crack if I try to fit it!!
Yes, it has to be made a to curve, a little.... 
It probably contributes to the veneer cracking eventually, along with heat cycles.
One of the Chimaeras I had in the past has a sort of basket-weave alloy dash, which I quite liked with it's black-faced instruments, and I used carbon 'effect' wrap on another that was very cracked, but getting the old veneer off was the hardest job. But I have to admit the wood veneer looks best, even though it's pricey.
It probably contributes to the veneer cracking eventually, along with heat cycles. One of the Chimaeras I had in the past has a sort of basket-weave alloy dash, which I quite liked with it's black-faced instruments, and I used carbon 'effect' wrap on another that was very cracked, but getting the old veneer off was the hardest job. But I have to admit the wood veneer looks best, even though it's pricey.
I've just replaced both main and radio dash panels.
Decided to go all in and bought some highly figured really deep dark american burr walnut veneer and did it all.
Getting the old stuff off is really easy, just use a blow lamp on the back side and a bit of gentle heat and it scrapes off real easy. The rotary wire brush it to fully clean it up ready for the new veneer.
Will pictures later but several who have seen it are well impressed (as am I), very satisfying to finally have it looking good again.
Decided to go all in and bought some highly figured really deep dark american burr walnut veneer and did it all.
Getting the old stuff off is really easy, just use a blow lamp on the back side and a bit of gentle heat and it scrapes off real easy. The rotary wire brush it to fully clean it up ready for the new veneer.
Will pictures later but several who have seen it are well impressed (as am I), very satisfying to finally have it looking good again.
It's not that bad a job and compared to loads of parts I didn't think the price of the wood dash was that bad. Bending the new dash to fit is certainly nerve wracking but in the end it was unwarranted. I found fitting the radio panel was the trickiest and lining up the little l brackets that needed gluing back was the worst part. Taking out all the gauges I just reconnected them as I removed them from the original so as not to mix the wring up.
Ok. All done.
It's a long job but not too difficult. As long as you take your time, note how everything is connected and work methodically, it's perfectly do-able.
It took me about 8 hours or so but I wasn't rushing it.
I found this guide which pretty much covers it all: https://woodys-tvr.blogspot.com/2006/08/dashboard-...
As I mentioned earlier, I bought new panels from TVR Mads rather than getting my existing ones refurbed. I have to say that I have been very impressed with the quality and service. The panels fitted well and were well finished, the veneer is a nice gnarly burr. The varnish is glass smooth.
Before you start, I recommend having the following kit:
1) A needle file with a triangular cross section. You'll need these for the triangle leds for your heater controls.
2) Some decent metal glue. I used Araldite Steel epoxy resin. You need to glue the old mounting brackets back on the new panel for the radio and the retainer for the indication light led board. I scuffed up the mounting point with some 200-grit glass paper to give the glue a surface to key to.
3) If you have a mk2 dash, I’d also replace the clip things that hold the lamps in. I re-used mine but I think they are not designed to be re-used.
4) New O Rings for the instruments. Again, I didn’t buy new ones but if I was doing it again, I would.
And...
5) The patience of a saint and the hands of a small child.
Old radio panel:
New radio panel:
Old Dash:
New Dash:
Radio panel fitted: (Yes, I know the radio bezel is broken!)
Dash fitted:
Heater controls:
And...done!
It's a long job but not too difficult. As long as you take your time, note how everything is connected and work methodically, it's perfectly do-able.
It took me about 8 hours or so but I wasn't rushing it.
I found this guide which pretty much covers it all: https://woodys-tvr.blogspot.com/2006/08/dashboard-...
As I mentioned earlier, I bought new panels from TVR Mads rather than getting my existing ones refurbed. I have to say that I have been very impressed with the quality and service. The panels fitted well and were well finished, the veneer is a nice gnarly burr. The varnish is glass smooth.
Before you start, I recommend having the following kit:
1) A needle file with a triangular cross section. You'll need these for the triangle leds for your heater controls.
2) Some decent metal glue. I used Araldite Steel epoxy resin. You need to glue the old mounting brackets back on the new panel for the radio and the retainer for the indication light led board. I scuffed up the mounting point with some 200-grit glass paper to give the glue a surface to key to.
3) If you have a mk2 dash, I’d also replace the clip things that hold the lamps in. I re-used mine but I think they are not designed to be re-used.
4) New O Rings for the instruments. Again, I didn’t buy new ones but if I was doing it again, I would.
And...
5) The patience of a saint and the hands of a small child.
Old radio panel:
New radio panel:
Old Dash:
New Dash:
Radio panel fitted: (Yes, I know the radio bezel is broken!)
Dash fitted:
Heater controls:
And...done!
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