Parcel shelf gets attention

Since the dashboard has been installed and I need the lower fascia crash pad to finish it off, I decided to give the parcel shelf its much needed attention. The original one was a total mess so I purchased this one from my “secret parts supplier” a couple years ago. It was black vinyl. The original was white (or dove gray).

I found some reliable SEM vinyl paint (the same brand as I used for the steering wheel) and prepared the vinyl by masking it off and cleaning it well.

Then, I sprayed three coats of the vinyl paint on it without primer as it was not required.

After it cured and dried, the masking tape was taken off and I reattached the heater controls and switch.

It was then taken out to the car to do a mock up. It will fit nicely and look good once everything is totally finished getting hooked up on the dashboard.

There are still three more cables and the heater hoses that need to be poked through the firewall. But here are the speedometer, choke and hood release cables for starters.

I hope to continue poking cables through the firewall and doing the fiddly stuff this week. It will be a busy week so I can only do what I can.

Thanks for visiting.

Toddy

Dashboard (fascia) restoration (Part 3) and installation

This week I decided to finally finish and install the dashboard.

My solution was a simple one which was used by BMC as an option for MG Midgets and MGBs in the early and mid-1960s…walnut grained shelving material! It makes sense, and is true to the MG style, and it really does not look that bad. The sales brochure specifically states the dashboard as having a “walnut grained finish.” So I ordered a large roll, since small ones are just not available, and went to work measuring a 3”x 50” strip.

Then, cutting it with scissors.

And, laying it down to make sure the graining looks good.

Then it was trimmed to size as the contact paper was being stripped off. I tried not to stretch it as it was being installed as that would cause problems later on. I decided not to post pictures of me cutting out the holes and the pop rivets in the contact vinyl. It was tedious and boring.

I installed the switches, speedometer and lamp lens, albeit, a couple are in the wrong positions. I also do not know correct positions for the colored lenses.

I took it out the car and laid it in place to make all the necessary connections of the wires, cables, and hoses.

And there it is…Old Biddy now has her dashboard installed!! It looks good and is pretty much period correct.

This week, the parcel shelf has to be painted and the rest of the wires, cables and hoses will have to be connected inside the engine compartment. And...I still need the correct lamps for the sockets!!

Thanks for visiting.

Toddy

Steering Wheel and Column installation.

This week I decided to finish and install the steering wheel and column while thinking of a solution to the dashboard quandary.

The steering wheel cracks were filled with Bondo since they were only cosmetic. Then the wheel was sanded and primed again. I was suggested to use this paint for the plastic steering wheel.

I painted on three coats given the amount of handling it will endure. Better to be safe than sorry!

After drying, it was installed in place.

I found my NOS turn signal indicator switch that I purchased five years ago, which was just before the price for them went ridiculously astronomical!!

Here it is finally installed. I just have to make the wire connections.

The cowl was put on next although it is pretty worn looking now. I may either look for an NOS one or try to refurbish this one.

Old Biddy has her steering wheel and column installed at last! All I need now is a center horn push and spring.

It is spring break for me this week. My goal is to have the dashboard all finished and installed by next Saturday. Wish me luck!!

Thanks for visiting.

Toddy

Dashboard (Fascia) restoration Part 2

Work continued on the dashboard restoration this week.

I started by using a Dremel tool with a stone attachment bit to grind down the welding nubs.

Once smoothed out, the Bondo was slathered on and sanded down…twice. It was not perfect by any means, but that is fine because it will be covered by the lower crash pad anyway. Shhh, it will be our secret!

The whole dashboard was then sanded down and primed.

I laid a bead of automotive sealant on the loose edges of the metal patches on the back side to help prevent moisture from getting in and rusting, which is what happened to this dashboard before. Then two coats of the custom matched paint were sprayed on.

I decided to mock up the dashboard with all the bits and pieces to see if I lost any in the past year. Looks good!

After practicing a number of times, I decided to give my faux wood graining skills a try to simulate the faux walnut that was painted on before. What a botched job!! Sometimes in life you never know what you are not meant to do until you try it. Guess what I discovered about myself this week?! 

This is a good point to leave you hanging until next time. I think I will be searching for a strip of 3”x 60” walnut grained decal or shelf covering, or a 1960's style chicken/barnyard wallpaper…anything to cover up THAT disaster!!

Thanks for visiting.

Toddy