TheSamba.com :: View topic

Fri Dec 19, 2008 6:16 pm

Good evening,

I found an early Bay dash in great shape at the Pasco County Bug Jam about a month ago for $5.00. I took it home, pulled off all of the foam / padding and took it to the bare metal. I then got some Regal Red Rustoleum, thinned it and rolled it on. The paint came out shiny as glass and has not been buffed yet either. There were several factory holes in the metal dash already. I used hole plugs to fix that problem. The slits on both sides were already there from the factory, which I like.

I redid my steering wheel with Rustoleum appliance paint, which gets rock hard and is moisture resistant.

I got the factory radio in mint condition at the Bug Jam as well for $10.00!!

I also installed a cig lighter below the radio, which there was already an existing hole from the factory there. I just enlarged the hole, bought a cig lighter from West Coast metric and mounted it. That way, I can use it for 12 volt accessories. I will put a CD / MP3 player in the glovebox as seen below like I did to my '66 Bug!

What do you all think?

1.) Before:

2.) Before:

3.) After:

4.) After:

5.) Bug dash:

Fri Dec 19, 2008 6:24 pm

I give it a thumbs up and may have to contemplate doing this myself someday. Is the top of dash just the foam exposed?

Fri Dec 19, 2008 6:27 pm

What did you paint the top vinyl/rubber part with?

Fri Dec 19, 2008 6:39 pm

I just used fabric to do teh top of the dash, as well as the dash pad... The fabric was thin enough that when the 3M Super 90 glus dried, the fabric stayed in all the little grooves and contours perfectly... ( The glove door box is gonna go. I have one that has better coloring!)

1.)

2.)

3.)

4.)

5.)

Fri Dec 19, 2008 6:43 pm

That is a really good idea. It looks great!
What type of fabric is it?

Fri Dec 19, 2008 6:45 pm

That really does look good. Makes me think a painted dash should've been a factory option on the bays.

Nice work!

Fri Dec 19, 2008 6:45 pm

I just used grey felt from Jo Ann fabric. Its durable and is thin enough to wrap around alot of things with no folds or creases.

Fri Dec 19, 2008 6:47 pm

magnus0328 wrote: I just used grey felt from Jo Ann fabric. Its durable and is thin enough to wrap around alot of things with no folds or creases.

Will it soak up any moisture?

Fri Dec 19, 2008 6:51 pm

It may, I figured it wont be any worse then any other type of fabric... In my occasion, she is going to be garage kept so moisture shouldn't be a problem.

MattVW,

If Im not mistaken, metal dashes were factory in Europe until '79. The same as a 1600cc upright motors as well!

Fri Dec 19, 2008 6:54 pm

split=metal
bay=vinyl

true euro bays=ok

it is yours so do as you will.

Fri Dec 19, 2008 8:00 pm

don't mind the mess! i did the same thing. i couldn't bring myself to hack up a clean dash to put the gauges in (the PO had the vdo's installed in a vinyl dash, which was beat) so i stripped a dash too. however, i welded and smoothed everything, and did mine in a semi gloss powder coat, that is kind of bumpy/ wrinkly like the vinyl. i also installed a 4 way 6x9 in the dash too (need to por-15 around the studs i welded in) the speaker by far is the best mod i have done on the inside of the bus....well, with the exception of my perfectly fitting, fully functional home made 15.00 fresh air fans

again, don't mind the mess. i still need to clean vents, etc...

Fri Dec 19, 2008 8:03 pm

Looks good man!

I just like the way the metal dashes look...

Good idea on the speakers!

Fri Dec 19, 2008 8:14 pm

magnus0328 wrote:

Good idea on the speakers!

thanks~ i'll tell you what, a good speaker up there really screams! i totally recommend doing that mod. it is by far the most rewarding thing you can do as far as sound goes. the PO has speakers in the doors, down low, which are great if your feat has ears. i will be using them too, but the dash speaker is set up as a center channel. as soon as i can buffalo someone to help me put the doors on, i can bring it for a ride so i can hear how it all sounds 8)

Fri Dec 19, 2008 8:29 pm

magnus0328 wrote: It may, I figured it wont be any worse then any other type of fabric... In my occasion, she is going to be garage kept so moisture shouldn't be a problem.

MattVW,

If Im not mistaken, metal dashes were factory in Europe until '79. The same as a 1600cc upright motors as well!

I wish the T1 was an option throughout the bus production years for the U.S. models.

Fri Dec 19, 2008 8:50 pm

MattVW,

Im sure you knew this, but you can put a Type 1 motor in a 72+ Bay, if you fabricate an engine tin, brace and a few minor things. You can also just buy the engine tin Creative Car Craft makes.

Here is a pic of my painted CCC fiberglass pieces...

1.)

Fri Dec 19, 2008 9:04 pm

magnus0328 wrote: MattVW,

Im sure you knew this, but you can put a Type 1 motor in a 72+ Bay, if you fabricate an engine tin, brace and a few minor things. You can also just buy the engine tin Creative Car Craft makes.

Here is a pic of my painted CCC fiberglass pieces...

1.)

Any time I think about buying a 73-79 bay I always consider doing a T1 conversion, simply b/c the parts are more available. But then there's less power with the T1 so, I can't really make up my mind. I like both engines and I'm willing to work with both I guess.

Fri Dec 19, 2008 10:50 pm

Bare naked steel rocks......T1 makes sense to me, if no one else...

Bill

Fri Dec 19, 2008 10:56 pm

Looks good! Damn nice job got me thinking now. :D

Sat Dec 20, 2008 12:58 pm

I have wanted to do this ever since I bought my car 2 years ago. I just need to get up the time and energy to do it. doesn't help that it is my DD. Is the steering column/e-brake anchored to the dash, or when i pull that will I loose both of those? iow can I drive the car w/o the dash in? speedo is over rated either which way.

Sat Dec 20, 2008 1:16 pm

Very nice job! KUDOS!