I have a new dash cover to go over my cracked original. How hard is it to do this? I got the cover from my father and he lost the instructions. It is the formed plastic type that looks original when installed. I am hoping I will not have to remove my dash to do this but am willing if that is what it takes to get good results.

 

https://www.zdriver.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22821

 

Thanks for the link. I have been trying to search for these topics but must not be putting in the right words. Thanks again.

 

Where the dash cracks it seems to have a slight curling effect. Do you guys sand or cut those areas down, or does it matter? For those that have caped their dashes with this kind of cover have you had good luck over the long haul or do they pop loose? Thanks for all of the advice and especially the links to previous threads!!!

 

I have a capped dash for a few years and only way you can tell is if you know what to look for.

 

Use some GOOD double sided tape.

 

At the Zcar nationals I talked to the owner of sunrise Z, a fellow named Art, and he said he sanded his down and put some silicone in the cracks.

 

On mine,I angled those areas down so that the peaking area would not keep the dash from sitting smoothly. The peaking will only get worse as the dash dries out, so any of the swelling you can get rid of will help you later. And i used silicone in my bigger cracks to help smooth the original dash. Of greater importance, during the summer use the sunshades on the windshield and leave the windows cracked. My first one warped because i did not use sunshades and the heat in the car in south georgia ruined it. AZ Bob where i bought them told me to use the shades, which was part of the instructions.... yeah the part i did not read. Good luck with it and they do look great installed.

PS I also have the auto climate sensor on the top of the dash, which my cover did not come with it drilled out. What i would up doing was using my wifes red lipstick to paint around the hole in the dash and then put the dash back on and press down on that area. When i removed the dash again with the red impression on the back of the dash cover, i knew exactly where to put the hole for the sensor. Also, i had to trim a piece off with my dremel around the radio support or it would have been in the way if i needed to remove the radio for any reason.

 

Thanks guys.

I will defiantly bevel down the crack curling before dash install. My 280Z does not have the auto climate sensor but the dash cap has a hole for it. I think I will paint the old dash in that area (luckily there are no cracks right there) before I silicone her down. Good info on the radio support as I am sure I will need to pull it out when I try fixing my talking lady.

 

Just an FYI... you have a 280ZX.... not a 280z.... not a E320zx.... it's a 280ZX. There's a big difference.

 

My bad. 1982 280zx I have my windshield out of the car right now but I am ready to have it reinstalled. Should I wait and install the dash cap first so that I have access through the windshield area or do you guys think it will matter.

Is there any thing I want to remove to do this install? Like the inner trim around the gauge cluster or glove box door? When I put the dash cap over the old one to kind of see what I am getting into it doesn’t seem to fit the best. Any tricks or advice you guys have for fixing this right the first time would be appreciated.

Also I only have the dash cap and no adhesive. What brand and type of adhesive would you guys recommend? A good double side tape was also suggested, what do you guys think about that?

 

You don't have to remove anything on the dash to install it. It can be esaily installed with the windsheild in, or out. Doesn't matter.

I used liquid nails (in a caulking tube) to adhere dash cover to my old 280zx. You can use any kind of epoxy, like that clear stuff in 2 seperate tubes that when you push the trigger it mixes together. That stuff is pretty nifty. You can get all that stuff at Wal-Mart.

You have to sand down the high spots on the dash for a good fitment. You know those big cracks that tend to rise up like a mountain for some reason, those gotta go.