Defroster panel

[ChrisA]

Anybody have any suggestions on how to refinish the metal panel on the dash that covers the defroster outlets. The one on my 72 is kind of grungy and no amount of scrubbing seems to help it. It seems to be textured below the black surface. I wonder if anybody has repainted theirs?

Thanks in advance.

Chris

[EScanlon]

When I redid my interior, I scrubbed that piece with some soap and water, then scuffed it with a scotch pad and shot Rustoleum Satin Black on it. It looks great.

Don't recall the texture you describe, will have to check on that.

Texture can be a matter of painting technique or paint. The texture you seek is what defines it. There are wrinkle paints, which give a look and texture similar to shattered safety glass. Then there is the spackle effect. That one is created by doing a heavy MIST and allowing to tack dry before additional coats are applied.

Hope this helps.

Enrique

[ChrisA]

Originally posted by EScanlon

I scrubbed that piece with some soap and water, then scuffed it with a scotch pad and shot Rustoleum Satin Black on it. It looks great.

Enrique

Thanks Enrique for the tips, I just got done lightly scuffing it with a Scotchbrite pad and it looks like the texture is in the metal somehow. I got down to some shiny metal underneath and the texture is still there. I shot it black, not too bad now. Here's a picture.

Chris

[MikeW]

Originally posted by ChrisA

Thanks Enrique for the tips, I just got done lightly scuffing it with a Scotchbrite pad and it looks like the texture is in the metal

That's my impression as well. Now that my dash pad is gray I'd like to paint the finishing panel to match. EScanlon's suggestion of Rustoleum is probably just what I need.

[ChrisA]

Hey Mike, send in some pics of your interior. I've always liked different colored interiors.

Chris

[MikeW]

Originally posted by ChrisA

Hey Mike, send in some pics of your interior. I've always liked different colored interiors.

Chris

Will do - once it's done. I've got the seat covers replaced and the dashpad restored. I've dyed the door panels, inside dogleg panels, and pillar vinyl. I've got new carpet ready to go in but want to put down some insulation first. I've got a new headliner that needs to go in. Finally I need to find some plastic panels and then dye them for the back.

You can see a little bit of the dash and seat covers in the lastest picture in my gallery:

http://www.classiczcars.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=9999

Oh, I see you've already seen it and commented. Thanks ...

[EScanlon]

MikeW:

You've probably already read the thread(s) that discuss the various substitutes / replacements for the tar paper that was on the floor. If so, then no need to read further. If not, definitely do a search for them and read them.

In a nutshell, remember that the main reason for the tar paper was not thermal insulation, but the propensity for flat sheet metal to resonate. That resonation tends to duplicate and even magnify noises that will drive you crazy. Since Datsun originally placed this onto the bare sheet metal, and time has a tendency to cause the adhesive to fail, moisture will creep in and rust develops. That is why they're so vilified by all Z owners. The trick to using them properly is to make sure that the metal is properly protected. If you've ever pulled a decal or other sticker off of painted metal, then you know that the base paint stays generally unblemished.

So with that in mind, in order to QUIET down the cabin, definitely do put either tar paper, brown bread or some other form of vibration damper onto the floors. Just make sure that it is NOT a porous insulation, like shredded fiber or pressed fibreglass.

FWIW

Enrique Scanlon

[MikeW]

Yes, I've already read some of the threads and was planning on getting the Q-Pads that you mentioned in at least one of the threads. What do you recommend going between those and the carpet itself? I notice that places like MSA sell the aluminum coated fiber insulation and was thinking that might be a good option. It wasn't clear from the earlier posts ...