Ok, Stupid Dash Question...

c-mack · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:36 pm Post subject: Ok, Stupid Dash Question...

Alright, I'm working on my first bus and am 16, so I dont know all that much about these things, but am learning Rolling Eyes

, I just have one question, on the dash of a 73, can you pull the vinyl/plastic coating stuff off of there? is there metal underneath? I really havent looked and can't go look at my bus at the moment.

thanks!

colby
_________________
"When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace."-Jimi Hendrix

1973 Bay Window Transporter (AGENT ORANGE)

Karl · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 8:56 pm Post subject:

It is molded as a unit. You do not want to remove it!

cr@M · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 9:13 pm Post subject:

out of curiosity...why do you want to take it off?
_________________
1972 Deluxe named Lucidity
1973 Transporter

"He who fights with monsters must see to it that he himself does not become a monster...
when you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you."
-Friedrich Nietzsche
_________________

c-mack · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 9:22 pm Post subject:

I figured that if it was all just 1 piece of metal I would just paint it the same color I am painting the exterior. I hate the black leathery looking stuff that came stock. I thougt it would look pretty cool, but if you cant take it off then never mind.
_________________
"When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace."-Jimi Hendrix

1973 Bay Window Transporter (AGENT ORANGE)

cr@M · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 9:25 pm Post subject:

Well if it's any consolation all of us have the black dashes. Except for the Champagne owners...

I think there is vinyl paint available somewhere, but you might want to test painting a scrap dashboard or other vinyl before possibly ruining yours.
_________________
1972 Deluxe named Lucidity
1973 Transporter

"He who fights with monsters must see to it that he himself does not become a monster...
when you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you."
-Friedrich Nietzsche
_________________

autiger78 · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 9:31 pm Post subject:

Before you are tempted, I have removed the vinyl from a dash, and it isn't suitable for painting. There are all sorts of holes in the metal, it isn't one flat piece.

Here's the sweet dash found in european buses from 68-72 (found in the Samba galleries...there are more there as well...)

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

_________________
Wanted - Dormobile Roof Parts!

cr@M · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 9:33 pm Post subject:

i was talking about painting over the vinyl attached to the metal.
_________________
1972 Deluxe named Lucidity
1973 Transporter

"He who fights with monsters must see to it that he himself does not become a monster...
when you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you."
-Friedrich Nietzsche
_________________

autiger78 · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 9:38 pm Post subject:

cr@M · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 9:44 pm Post subject:

that dash looks amazing. I wish i could do that, but i know it's nowhere near worth the effort.
_________________
1972 Deluxe named Lucidity
1973 Transporter

"He who fights with monsters must see to it that he himself does not become a monster...
when you gaze long into the abyss, the abyss also gazes into you."
-Friedrich Nietzsche
_________________

autiger78 · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 10:04 pm Post subject:

fusername · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 11:35 pm Post subject:

glad somene else asked the questgion. I have been wanting to do that to my bus forever. anyone have pics of a dash w/ the molding pulled ofF? maybe i could weld something over it and reassemble...

but its still good to know its not easy before i dig in.
_________________
[email protected]
Need something custom bent up? shoot me an email, maybe we can make it work!

FORSALE: Thrust cut T4 and 1.9 main bearings

fusername · Posted: Wed Jan 09, 2008 11:35 pm Post subject:

deleted
double post
_________________
[email protected]
Need something custom bent up? shoot me an email, maybe we can make it work!

FORSALE: Thrust cut T4 and 1.9 main bearings

WestyPop · Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 9:08 am Post subject:

Rattle can black wrinkle paint was used on my '68 Westy's visible dash metal. That makes a nice contrast to reduce the 'all-the-same' look of the OG vinyl cow surfaces. It also provides less bright sun glare in the driver's eyes than the original shiny black paint on the dash top.

J.R.
68 Westy
(+ others)

70Crew · Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 4:50 pm Post subject:

This is out of the VW Heritage catalog I received about a year ago. Since it was a new item at the time, chances are they still sell them. G means genuine VW. With shipping and the exchange rate, it still won't be cheap, but maybe a better way to go than parting out a european model.

Chris (MiOdy81)

BusBerd · Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 6:39 pm Post subject:

interesting....

it looks good. But how can the same dash be used for both "RHD and LHD"? I wonder if you have to drill the holes for the dash switches yourself.
_________________
"The large print giveth and the small print taketh away."
1977 Westfalia Camper Bus 2.0L Fuel Injected Engine, Manual Transmission

autiger78 · Posted: Sun Jan 13, 2008 8:15 pm Post subject:

slydubsista · Samba Member Joined: January 29, 2006 Posts: 89

Thanks for posting that, MiOdy.. I'd been considering POR-15's claim of refinishing vinyl as well, but I feared shabby results, not to mention the radio hole edges are slightly crumbled anyhow...

That metal dash look is NICE. Plus I haven't painted my interior yet, so would be fairly simple while everything's out anyway to swap the dash & paint the whole deal.

Their online catalog says they stock left hand drive, which can be mod'ed for right-hand drive. Lucky for me no mods required, but I do fear the cost/risk of damage in shipping....

hcdmueller · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:09 am Post subject:

I have a european 79 Double Cab with the metal dash. The dash itself is really sturdy. I wouldn't worry too much about damage during shipment. Someone would have to run over it with a truck to bend it up.

I am looking forward to stripping mine down and painting it up nice. It has a weird textured finish at the moment. I am not sure if that is original or not.

detroitjohnny · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:39 am Post subject:

busdaddy · Posted: Mon Jan 14, 2008 10:41 am Post subject:

Both of the metal dash busses I've had had a kinda spattery texture paint on them, dark greyish back.
_________________
Rust NEVER sleeps and stock never goes out of style.

Please don't PM technical questions, ask your problem in public so everyone can play along. If you think it's too stupid post it here
Stop dead photo links! Post your photos to The Samba Gallery!

Слава Україні!


Hello! Log in or Register \| Help \| Donate \| Buy Shirts	See all banner ads \| Advertise on TheSamba.com

	Forum Index -> Bay Window Bus	All times are Mountain Standard Time/Pacific Daylight Savings Time Page: 1, 2, 3, 4 Next
Page 1 of 4