Painting the dash

[B6AVE]

Hello all,

out of interest has anyone painted their dash at all. Ive got some scratches on the main dash where the ashtray is and around the dials aswell and was wondering about getting that section all sprayed in silver or maybe red. Ive already ripped out the dash so I know thats easy just worried about painting it and it looking crap with runny paint marks everywhere. Also it looks like a laqour pardon the spelling so I guess that would have to be taken off by sanding or paint stripper.

Any thoughts,

Michael

[EmmaG]

I have seen a few dash's that have been painted.

For a really good result you need to make sure the original rubbery finish is all removed, you can use sandpaper but it might take some time. Then primer, flatten, coloured top coat, lacquer.

As long as you take your time, don't rush it, spray the coats of primer, colour and lacquer thinly you shouldn't get any runs.

[B6AVE]

Cool, I think I will have to give it a go.

Cheers,

Michael

[EmmaG]

If you can it would be good to have some pictures to post up on the forum for reference.

Good luck! http://www.mkivsupra.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[Chris Rocks]

I have my dash painted and it`s worth the hassle.

best tip to get the rubber finish off is paint thinner....dab it on with a medium paintbrush and in about 30 secs it bubbles up allowing you to scrape it off with ease.

I tried sandpaper and all sorts and it quickly turned into a nightmare...thinners worked out great!

once it`s all painted and laquered might be an idea to take a bit of the `shine` off with some ultra fine paper otherwise when the sun hits it you`re blinded...lol



-c-

[B6AVE]

Cool, cheers mate I think I will do mate. My cars silver and I wanna go for the red interior look as I nearly bought an s2000 and liked the silver with red interior look. Any tips for not making it look runny when it drys as i have seen some horrible interior sprays b4 and dont want to ruin my dash.

[Chris Rocks]

you might want check out Daz Payne`s car as he`s got a silver supe with red dash ( although it`s red leather )

best bet is to just be careful and build the paint layers up lightly..

I`ve a pic of daz`s dash, I`ll try and dig it out... http://www.mkivsupra.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

-c-

[Chris Rocks]

Here you go...

-c-

[Chris Rocks]

was tempted to get this colour to match my exterior, but ended up going for black..

-c-

[B6AVE]

Wow that looks really good. Just hope I can make mine look that good and not ruin my dash.

[Chris Rocks]

Just make sure it`s prepped right...I can`t stress this enough.

Nothing worse than thinking it`s all gone great and as the paint dries flaws start to show and you`ve got to start from scratch again...

http://www.mkivsupra.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mad.gif

don`t apply the primer or paint on too heavily or it will run...given no parts of the dash are flat this only makes things worse.

sure it`ll go fine http://www.mkivsupra.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

post some pics up when you`re done..

-c-

[B6AVE]

yeah def will do cheers guys

[keng1013]

sorry guys, a little 'off-topic' question here, been looking at the various dashes on display here (whic all look really good btw). But have a question abt the dials. I am abt to buy a SZ supra (1996) - but the dials on the insturment cluster are behind a plastic barrier (ie like in a regular car) and not in little 'pot holes' (like in your pic below). Why is this so? (already asked martin f, but was wondering if u guys had an answer as well??)
Thanks http://www.mkivsupra.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

[Spyda]

I'm going to go for the same colour as my car. Ferrari blue. http://www.mkivsupra.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

I've rubbed the panels down, has anyone got any pics of their dash before it was painted after it was rubbed down?

Ta
Adam.

[flyingbrick]

but the dials on the insturment cluster are behind a plastic barrier (ie like in a regular car) and not in little 'pot holes' (like in your pic below). Why is this so? (already asked martin f, but was wondering if u guys had an answer as well??)
Thanks http://www.mkivsupra.co.uk/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif

They are lying- its actually an FTO.:haha:

[god father wheels]

Hi B6ave, I've done my dash.
But as Chris as said using gloss paint will make it a little "shiny" inside the car. You can dull this down by either putting a matt or satain lacque over the top.

After you've wiped your dash down,( chris said thinners) I used white spirt.
This will take some time, but this does two things.

1/ takes off the rubbery surface
2/ it degreases the surface, any grease or in Flyn's case plenty of cockpit wipe is cleaned off.

Then give the surface a rub down, with 320 grit paper.

Then do thin coats of primer. I usually do one thin coat then one wet coat.

Let that dry, then rub down again with 400 grit.

Repeat process on top coat and lacque

But as I'm in the painting game I've used a two-pac polyuthane eggshell silver. which is a hard and durable finish and I have not put a lacque over the top.

This to me as done two things,
1/brighten up my interior,
2/not too shiny to be reflecting in your windows

Go for it mate, but take your time because if you rush that is where you make mistakes.

john

[god father wheels]

Hi B6ave you got yourdash done yet?

I've done mine, most of those that went to the xmas do saw it.

Don't know what they thought of it mind, perhaps they might give me feed back on it. Anyone??

Kev what did you think of the wheels?

john

[Kev.O]

John the wheels looked really good, with a real nice finish. The dash also looked good. I doubt if B6AVE will reply as he's selling his car and the thread is a year or two old.

[Cass]

Sounds cool.Any pics John?

[Supradude666]

Well i cant remember where i saw it but someone makes carbon fibre dash panels, not a stick on thingy but a replacement panel in carbon fibre, i think it might be Seibon..

a different alternative..

im considering painting me dash to match the exterior of me car would look nice i think..

[god father wheels]

I done mine as there was just too much black inside

john