Dashtop removal

Markarian421 · 08-24-2008, 03:09 PM

I was going to put an adhesive mount on my dashtop today and found out the hard way that you shouldn't use alcohol to clean the dash -- apparently the gray is paint and alcohol takes it right off.

So now I'm trying to figure out what to do about the big ugly spot on the dash. How easy/difficult is it to remove the dash top? I can't tell if it's a separate piece or if it's all connected. I'm thinking if I can get it out fairly painlessly I might try to repaint it with something more durable.

**SwiCago** · 08-24-2008, 05:24 PM

I found a pic...note very good, but it shows it as one piece. I believe someone did a dash swap, where One guy wanted the compass and the other didn't...search for dash swap...never mind, did it for you..here look at this..there is a link for pics.
Good luck with the repair

FJCcrawler · 08-24-2008, 07:16 PM

I say just wipe down the whole dash and use some spray on Bed liner from Duplicolor to paint it.

I think that would look pretty sweet!!!!

Markarian421 · 08-24-2008, 07:44 PM

That's not far from what I was thinking! But not something I'd want to do without taking it out. Which doesn't look easy . . . hmm . . .

**stringmachine** · 08-24-2008, 08:02 PM

use a sharpie marker, you might even find a close match at the arts and crafts store..

gericurl76 · 08-24-2008, 10:11 PM

hula girl or girls

Markarian421 · 08-25-2008, 03:03 PM

It's in front of the dashtop compass/temp/am I upside-down gauge cluster, so not a good spot for hula girls. (I've actually been upside-down in a car before, and being able to see the gauge might help, as given what it takes to get there it's not always obvious you've arrived. At least not until your passenger manages to get his seatbelt undone and suddenly flies to the ceiling.)

Anyway . . . now that it's all dried, it looks like the color is still more or less there, the texture is just messed up. Flatter in some places and glossier in others than the original finish, with lots of streaks. And right in front of the gauge cluster where it can mock me. It probably looks something like it would look if I spilled glue on the dash and it dried while I was trying to wipe it up.

I'm trying to figure out if going over it with some non-gloss Armor All type thing might work, or maybe I'll try to find a detailing place or body shop to ask. Does anyone make dash covers for the FJ? (Not those annoying carpeted ones. A non-skid rubber mat would be perfect!) I left a message with a dealer but I doubt they'll have much in the way of suggestions short of replacing the whole dash.