C1 Dash Pad INSTALLING QUESTION

[Eric A.]

Dash pad questions:

1) What is the best adhesive to use, I understand go light because of the window frame, and other things will hold it in place.

2) Does anyone have a photo of what the dash pad should look like under the gauge cluster, I understand you are to cut it out but want to see a photo to understand how much to cut out and where the ends should line up.

i watched the youtube video but he blocks the guage cluster the whole time.

Thanks for your help..Eric

[Terry D.]

Re: C1 Dash Pad INSTALLING QUESTION

Eric, Have you tried searching the archives?

[Donald H.]

Re: C1 Dash Pad INSTALLING QUESTION

Eric,

I bought the dash pad installation CD from Al Knoch. It did help me a lot, particularly where and how they use glue. They do it very sparingly. His CD didn't answer every questions but did help. I bought my pad from Knoch and used his glue. Turned out great.

Don

[Thomas H.]

Re: C1 Dash Pad INSTALLING QUESTION

Eric,

As Terry mentioned, lots of dash pad info in the archives.

I have two dash pad installs under my belt. The latest being on my 58. I only glued it along the edge where it goes under the windshield and around the speaker since there is no speaker bezel on a 58 to hold it down. I used DAP or 3M contact cement, can't remember the brand. Got it at Home Depot.

To get the gauges to fit takes a bit of finesse. You'll need to remove a fair amount of the foam backing to get the pad to seat far enough against the dash to allow the gauges to fit. When it comes to t******* (wow doesn't like that word...., ok then use "cutting" instead) the vinyl, just do it in small increments. Easy to take more off, pretty hard to put it back on!

Take your time, do some archive research both here and on the CF.

If I can dig up some pics from my install(s) I'll post them.

Tom

PS: Here is a link to my photobucket library for the dashpad in my 60:

http://s21.photobucket.com/user/tmh454/library/1960/1960%20dashpad?sort=3&page=3

[Richard M.]

Re: C1 Dash Pad INSTALLING QUESTION

Tom's advice is spot on.....

IMO the most important thing to do is to remove ALL of the foam behind the vinyl where the back of the cluster forms flat against the horizontal curvature. AK dashpads have way too much foam there. Shouldn't be ANY. You can trim the vinyl quite a bit there, as long as the top rear edge of the cluster covers it you should be good. I have found that all AK pads are a bit tight around the cluster curve. Wish they didn't.

The last one I did(2 or 3 the last few years), AK did me a favor. They put duct tape on the vinyl on the cluster curve before the foam was applied in the mold. The foam peeled right off the duct tape.

Me....I only glue the lip under the windshield. Speaker bezel or not. I also use Phillips long 1/4-20 screws when test fitting the clusters. Easier to get in/out. Then I use the shouldered originals when I'm done, swappin' out one at a time.

'59
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'60
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