How to install a Super Beetle Dash Overlay TONS OF PICS

rlutterb · Last edited by rlutterb on Sat Apr 30, 2011 2:45 pm; edited 12 times in total

OK, I put a decent dash in my 73 super a couple of years ago, but it has since deteriorated. I see a nice used dashboard in the classifieds for $500, and a NEW one for $1500. Even if I wanted to spend that money, I'm too lazy to rip the entire dash out again, especially since I have since added new switches and guages that would make it a HUGE PITA to remove the entire dash again. Soooo....I bought a $59 dashboard overlay. I have benefitted from many other peoples 'how to' posts, so I figured it's my turn to pay it back.

First, you have GOT to remove the windshield. You need the following materials.
Razor knife
Contact cement
2x4's and padding for your wedges
Various screwdrivers and wrenches
PopRivets
Sand paper
Mineral Spirits
Patience

Next, you need to cut out any old rotton spots that are 'high' and will interfer with the smooth application of the new overlay.
I also cut out around the circular vents. In order to make it look decent, I cut all the pad away from the front metal trim stip so I could put the new overlay BENEATH that metal strip so it looks professional.

Starting to cut out old pieces of pad

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

Cut out around the circular vents

Cut out the pad beneath that metal trim strip by that defroster vents.
Note that I have drilled holes in that strip (and corresponding holes in the dash overlay). This is for the RIVETS that will make sure it stays in place.

Sand the dash with course grit paper.

Sand the underside of the new overlay as well. I used Mineral Spirits to wipe it all down prior to applying glue

Here is the type of glue I used

Apply it LIBERALLY

Make sure and get the glue on these edges by the speedo

Make sure you get the glue on the entire dash edge

Glue the underside of the overlay

DON'T glue where I have it circled in RED. Since contact cement bolds ON CONTACT, you dont want glue here besause when you first angle that overlay in and try to line up the rivets, you HAVE to let the two pieces come in contact, and you don't want it to bond just yet.

Once everything is glued, you ANGLE the overlay in without letting the glued portions make contact. Shove the overlay UNDER the metal trim strip that is already pre-drilled with holes for the rivets. Line up the rivet holes and shove the rivets into place, but don't pop them yet so you can still have some WIGGLE room to adjust things. Once they are all in, then and only then should you push the overlay all the way downward into place.
Get some 2x4's and towels to make yourself some WEDGES that will hold it all in place.
Note that the rivets are just shoved in to get the overlay set right.

Now the wedges are all in place to hold it tight, and the rivets have been popped.

Used a black Sharpie to color the rivets black so they don't show as much

Different wedge pictures to see how I held it all in place

Note the wedge between the steering wheel and the speedo. This one makes sure that it bonds well around the speedometer area.

Make sure the overlay goes UNDER the top of that center vent. That glove actually has a 2x4 in it that I used to help with the wedging

Circular vents going back in. These are a BITCH to get out. They have tabs on the tubes so I had to use a channel lock wrench to grab and twist. I kinda scratched this one up, so I sanded and re painted it before I reinstalled it. Note the tape around the vent to help it stay in place, since I destroyed the tabs getting the tubes out!

The front edge of the dash didn't want to stick, so I used another wedge to hold it for a while till is stuck. I used a telescoping car wash brush to hold this one in place. You have to get inventive!

Finished product with the windshield re-installed. You can see in the first pic that the circular vent is not lined up very well. I corrected that in the second picture.

Took me about 4 hours from start to finish. You CAN see the seams with the doors open, and you can see the seam a bit around the speedo, but IMHO it looks much better than the shitty dash that is under it.

HAVE FUN!
_________________
1973 Super Beetle project
1987 El Camino
2012 Land Rover LR4

flierbob · Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 2:28 pm Post subject:

Looks like you did a really nice job, looks real professional.
Bob

Saved a few bucks also.

deathroll77 · Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 3:16 pm Post subject:

WOW!!!!

great job! if i ever get a 73+ bug i will use this guide! its sticky time for this one
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1971 Volkswagen Bug

Glenn · Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 3:19 pm Post subject:

EXJAY · Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 7:36 pm Post subject:

Very nice work there! Thanks for the pics and sharing. Cool

_________________
EXJAY

'74 Superbeetle (Family owned since new)
'73 181 Thing (sold)

mnussbau · Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 8:18 pm Post subject:

Great job!
_________________
Mike
‘74 bug vert
Parts...

jhicken · Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 9:07 pm Post subject:

X4, well done! Excellent tutorial. This is what theSamba is all about!

-jeffrey
_________________
Der Kleiner Kampfwagens

Madtat · Samba Member Joined: September 02, 2009 Posts: 941

good job! looks real pro.
Twisted Evil

jimkeo · Posted: Sat Apr 30, 2011 9:30 pm Post subject:

very nice. i have a 71 super with flat dash and i just went the metal dash look. i have always liked the curved windshield supers.

3oclockmarty

Followed instructions for the most part and my overlay came out great.
Thanks for the tutorial.

rlutterb


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