Dash painting (again)

johnf · January 08, 2006, 03:31:14 PM

I remember the hardest screw to find was one holding the passenger armrest in place, it\'s hidden somewhere behind the door lever I think.

John

johnf · January 08, 2006, 03:33:07 PM

this may help

http://www.mazdarotaryclub.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9352&highlight=dash+removal

Gman · January 08, 2006, 03:33:49 PM

I think i just found that post :yes

Gman · January 08, 2006, 03:36:26 PM

I think i have everything i need i\'d better not bollox it up now.

RobbieRX-7 · January 08, 2006, 04:16:09 PM

if your spraying the instrument panel, then DON`T be tempted to spray the half moon shaped dome on top of the dash because it will reflect onto the windscreen..BUGGER :2eek

johnf · January 08, 2006, 05:29:03 PM

I\'ll second that - just do the first 30mm to the join.

Gman · January 08, 2006, 05:30:58 PM

Cheers for the tip :Thumbs-up

Mave · January 13, 2006, 01:32:44 PM

Quote from: RobbieRX-7i never bothered laquering mine because i scared of ****ing it all up.As long as you give it enough coats ( i did 8 coats) you will be ok

Robbie, the paint that you used, was it the Halfords acrylic paint which is intended for metalwork? I really like teh finish, and would like to do the same to mine....

Cheers

Gman · January 13, 2006, 02:00:08 PM

I have got the stage where i am removing the dash part with the dials, i have unsecured this and pulled it towards me but the curved dash cover has come with it. How do you unclip this part from the dash? as i can\'t undo the connectors until this has been removed.

barmar · January 13, 2006, 02:37:08 PM

If memory serves Gman you can lower the steering wheel by loosening 2 bolts that hold the steering column in place (don\'t undo completely the wheel will lower as you loosen the 2nd one). Once the wheel has gone down about an inch you can move the dash forward enough to get all the connectors from the dials and lights on the dash off. Then remove the whole dash out including the curved part. I think then the curved section has about 3 or 4 screws holding it in which you can remove before painting.

Hope this helps

Barry

Gman · January 13, 2006, 03:08:40 PM

I\'ve removed the steering wheel altogether, do i still have to move the steering column?

johnf · January 13, 2006, 06:14:19 PM

I didn\'t have to remove anything else other than the steering wheel.

I\'m trying to understand where you\'re at gman. You should have the instrument cluster with dials and cowl attached. This should all come forward enough for you to undo the 4 screws [from behind] that hold the instruments to the bit you want to paint.

The dash [minus instruments] will all come out as one, its a bit fiddley as i thing the interior mirror gets in the way.

You can then take the curved cowl off.

It\'s over a year since in I did it biut thats how I remember - I think.

John

Gman · January 13, 2006, 07:11:19 PM

I\'ll have another go at getting those screws tomorrow, the dash didn\'t seem to come forward enough for me to get my fat hands in.

RobbieRX-7 · January 13, 2006, 08:58:04 PM

Mave..i used halfords grey plastic primer and halfords vauxhall steel grey paint. The steel grey paint is just normal spray paint i think. I used about 4/5 tins of primer and 5/6 tins of steel grey,but all that covered the door trims on both doors, the heater vents in the middle of dash, glovebox handle and rear strut brace.

Mave · January 13, 2006, 09:18:29 PM

Quote from: RobbieRX-7Mave..i used halfords grey plastic primer and halfords vauxhall steel grey paint. The steel grey paint is just normal spray paint i think. I used about 4/5 tins of primer and 5/6 tins of steel grey,but all that covered the door trims on both doors, the heater vents in the middle of dash, glovebox handle and rear strut brace.

Cool, so this isn\'t a specialist dashboard paint, its a body paint? This gives loads of choice from all teh grey / anthracite colours around