Recovering the center dash cover on '64 C2.

[Daniel B.]

Has anyone stripped the center dash cover on a C2? If so what method did you use to remove the old cover? Will a fiberglass safe paint stripper remove the old cover or does it require some sort of an abrasive method?

A new center cover can be sourced for $150.00 but would require cutting new holes for the clock, radio, and speaker assemblies. I would prefer to use the original.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Dan

[Edward J.]

Re: Recovering the center dash cover on '64 C2.

Dan, myself and friend removed a complete 63 dash assy, and re-vinyl it, its not a bad job, heat gun and contact cement. to removel, the old covering was hard and brittle so it came of in big hunks, the cut outs are easy as the back side of dash everything is there. we started and worked from the top and worked down, but if I had to do over I would start at the bottom and work up. you'll want to work in a warm area, at least 70+degrees.

[Daniel B.]

Re: Recovering the center dash cover on '64 C2.

Ed
Thanks. My cover is split at the bottom and the rest is pretty solid. I was afraid the heat gun would damage the fiberglass base. I'll start at a low heat setting and work my way up the heat range until it starts to release.

Did you use any thing to remove any old adhesive left behind?
Dan

[Joe R.]

Re: Recovering the center dash cover on '64 C2.

Daniel,

Corvette America offers a cover that is cut to fit over the existing cover. You will need a heat gun and 3M adhesive. Looks great and cuts down on the hassle.

JR

[Bob R.]

Re: Recovering the center dash cover on '64 C2.

As Ed said above its really not that difficult to remove the old vinyl using a heat gun. If your going to go through the work of removing the center dash from the car why cut corners with the vinyl. My car had a large hole cut for an after market radio so I had to repair the fiberglass then install new vinyl. The only problem fit area as mentioned was the very bottom. The reproduction material just seem a little small and didn't form to the contour well. Keep the vinyl material warm while working with it so it will be soft and stretch to form to the curves better. After the vinyl work is done I just took a razor blade and cut out the holes for the radio, radio speaker, the clock and the heat controls.

[Leif A.]

Re: Recovering the center dash cover on '64 C2.

I didn't know the '64 had a vinyl covered waterfall. Thought only the early '63 did. Interesting!!

[Edward J.]

Re: Recovering the center dash cover on '64 C2.

Leif very early 63's had a painted center section, at some point the painted centers came back in.

[Daniel B.]

Re: Recovering the center dash cover on '64 C2.

Bob
I am removing the center dash and stripping the covering. The problem with my current covering is that it did not conform to the bottom of the dash and cracked along the line where it joined the square part of the dash that meets the console. I will start at the bottom and work up to the top to make sure the bottom area is properly fitted as suggested earlier.