Getting a couple steps closer

by JiMi_DRiX Sat Jul 30, 2011 1:53 am

I finally found a little time to work on my dash. I got the top and bottom put together, but I still have a ways to go. The old dash needs removed, and all those nice shiny parts swapped over to this one before I can put it in the car. I also found that OPGI sells a firewall insulation piece that I would really like to have, among a few other odds and ends.

Here is what I have so far.

I got this otherwise cherry 73 Monte dash pad from a great guy on ebay. The passenger side had some defects, but I thought I could fix them, and, I did!

Getting a couple steps closer Montedash007copy

Getting a couple steps closer Montedash007copy

Getting a couple steps closer Montedash005copy

The pad now, with a nice new emblem!

Getting a couple steps closer IMG_0017

The whole piece.

Getting a couple steps closer IMG_0023-1

I also have this still waiting. I did a complete recon on the gauge bezel. I stripped it, fixed it, dyed it, added the silver edging, removed the clear lens, buffed and polished it, reattached it and the rest of the small parts, and now its just waiting to be installed.

Getting a couple steps closer IMG_1427

and the insulation pad I want to get.
http://www.opgi.com/p/interior-trim/24576/160/G241076.html

by Limey SE Sat Jul 30, 2011 2:43 am

OK we / I need more detailed pics what you did to the dash ??

by HDHugger Sat Jul 30, 2011 8:52 am

What did you use for the silver edging?

by 1973 454 MONTE Sat Jul 30, 2011 10:34 am

yepper,thats a 73 dash alright.hehe i love that one year only emblem Very Happy

nice job on the bezel too Thumbs up

those shinny vents i took out of my dash and put in black ones. i just liked the way it looked.

now is the time to replace that front speaker too. maybe with a 2-4x6 setup.

by pila Sat Jul 30, 2011 11:13 pm

Nice job on that gauge panel....

by 77mali Sun Jul 31, 2011 10:57 am

What did u use to fill in the defects in the dash pad?

by 1973 Buick Century Sun Jul 31, 2011 4:37 pm

Looks brand new. LOVE IT!

by JiMi_DRiX Thu Aug 04, 2011 2:48 am

Well after I dug out the clear silicon or whatever someone else tried to fill the holes with, I used a 3M product. Its a flexible filler, but I dont remember which one. A friend of mine lent it to me. It goes into a gun and mixes through a special tip, and it hardens pretty quick. I used it like body filler and did all the holes, waited for it to dry, and then sanded them smooth.
It might have been this, not sure
Getting a couple steps closer Materials2

Getting a couple steps closer Materials2

I also had help from a local couple who does vinyl repair. She did a little more work, and then sprayed a clear texture over the spots. After I got the pad back, I wiped it down clean, and used SEM Landau Black, and some adhesion promotor like I've done to some other parts. If you're really good with this stuff, there is no telling its dyed, I love it, and have done a few misc parts for both my Monte and Mustang. The bottom frame is actually the old brown frame from the original dash that was in my 76. It was dated 75. The black dash that is in the car currently, is dated 77, and is one piece. I'm very frustrated that I cant save the mint pad from the broken frame.

I wish I could show the difference in the clear lens on the gauge bezel after buffing and shining it. Its not perfect, but what an improvement! I used a silver sharpie to do the edging. its not "chrome" looking like the original, but it'll do.

by JiMi_DRiX Thu Aug 04, 2011 2:50 am

I love the one year only emblem too, Chris! My center console is also 73 (no binding or whatever that stuff was in 76) I also have 73 SS chevelle shifter button and steering wheel horn button, lol. Alright so maybe the SS stuff is a bit much, but I like it!

by 1973 454 MONTE Thu Aug 04, 2011 6:22 am

JiMi_DRiX wrote:I love the one year only emblem too, Chris! My center console is also 73 (no binding or whatever that stuff was in 76) I also have 73 SS chevelle shifter button and steering wheel horn button, lol. Alright so maybe the SS stuff is a bit much, but I like it!

the stitching was 76 and 77.

you wont have the first second gem SS monte.........hehe

good job,mike Thumbs up

by HDHugger Thu Aug 04, 2011 8:21 am

I used a silver sharpie on mine too... Tried paint with a little brush but it didn't adhere well so I started over with the Sharpie. At least it stays on!

by 74Malibu383 Thu Aug 04, 2011 12:04 pm

Very nice!

by JiMi_DRiX Thu Aug 04, 2011 2:17 pm

Thanks guys. I'm waiting to have a few extra bucks to purchase a small shopping list from OPGI before I attempt finishing up. Right now time is tied with my band in the studio and work, but I'm anxious to get it done. I was also thinking about freshening up the under dash vents with a new even coat of black, but they are hardly even seen, so I may pass. I have 4 boxes of brake parts, and the AC to fix next, then everything is good to go again, and the to do list goes back from necessities to wants.

by 1973montec Sun Aug 07, 2011 6:13 pm

looking good mike. keep up the good work

by JiMi_DRiX Mon Aug 08, 2011 2:05 am

Thanks. I may have a little more texture sprayed on the areas that were fixed, I can still tell a bit where its not quite the same. Maybe I'm just being picky. After I round up the next bunch of parts, I'll be able to resume my work. I drove her today for the first time in a little while, and she still runs and hauls balls like always Smile

by JiMi_DRiX Tue Aug 09, 2011 1:10 am

1973 454 MONTE wrote:yepper,thats a 73 dash alright.hehe i love that one year only emblem

nice job on the bezel too

those shinny vents i took out of my dash and put in black ones. i just liked the way it looked.

now is the time to replace that front speaker too. maybe with a 2-4x6 setup.

I replaced the speakers a while ago, the first time I did the dash. Which I realize was over two years ago.. yikes.

Where did you find all the black vents? I remember it was a driver side, 73 only thing, no?

by 1973 454 MONTE Tue Aug 09, 2011 7:00 am

yes u r right. 73 only had a black vent in the dash bezel. i had 3 not so good bezels at the time. that was 8 years ago. Very Happy

by JiMi_DRiX Fri Aug 12, 2011 1:20 pm

My chrome vents are in pretty nice shape, and I have a brand new one on the driver side, so I'll probably just stick with that for now. Black vents sound cool though, have any pics Chris?

by 1973 454 MONTE Wed Aug 24, 2011 9:44 pm

JiMi_DRiX wrote:My chrome vents are in pretty nice shape, and I have a brand new one on the driver side, so I'll probably just stick with that for now. Black vents sound cool though, have any pics Chris?

by Laguna Budman Thu Aug 25, 2011 1:43 am

Make your chrome ones black. Thats what I did, just scotchbrited the chrome off and painted them with trim black. They look great.

by JiMi_DRiX Sun Sep 18, 2011 12:14 am

My current progress....

the interior is almost finished being put back together. I had to run some new wire for the trunk light and fuel pump. The dash is almost done except for a few odds and ends.

Getting a couple steps closer IMG_0052

I even did some work on the trunk light. Buffed and polished the lens, replaced the toggle switch, and cleaned up the hardware. Looks sweet.

Getting a couple steps closer IMG_0040

and after a much needed wash and wax, ready for a little cruisin!

Getting a couple steps closer IMG_0061

by JiMi_DRiX Sun Sep 18, 2011 12:16 am

And before anyone asks, yes, that is a 73 dash pad, 73 console, and Chevelle SS shifter and horn buttons Smile

by yogreasygramma Sun Sep 18, 2011 8:11 am

Drix, she's looking mighty fine!! And even though she's cursed with those hideous double headlights ... LOL ... I still like her. Very Happy

Congrats on all the hard work. I need some wheels just like that. And I can't wait to get that rear window chrome for my 74.

by 77mali Sun Sep 18, 2011 8:36 am

Looks great. Cheers!

by JiMi_DRiX Sun Sep 18, 2011 3:17 pm

I like the 73 front end so much more, but I've had this 76 before I ever had a 73, and with what this car means to me, I've grown to like the headlights. I've thought to myself that, and god forbid, anything happen to my 76, I would take all the parts and put them into a 73 Smile

Mike, I'll go through those boxes and do an inventory list, and then see about better packing that window trim this week.

Thanks 77mali!

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