Dashboard cap removal?

[Tarmac]

My "new" 240Z came with a hard plastic cap on the bash board. I assume it's covering up a cracked dashboard. The problem is that the cap now has a crack! I've ordered a new cap, but need to remove the old. Im assuming that the cap is held on with RTV, any idea how to tackle this without doing even more damage to the dash?

Thanks!

[geezer]

The dash cap is cracked, the original dash underneath is suspected to be cracked. How much damage could you possible do? Just find a good starting point and pull it up. The RTV, silicon, or whatever adhesive was used cannot be that strong. You don't have to be concerned with causing further damage to the old cap, but I understand the concern with the original dash. Just go slow, pull up on the old cap and watch out for any seperation of the original. Try to support & stabilize the original with one hand or whatever implements you can fit in there while pulling up with your other hand. I don't think you will have much trouble. Good Luck.

[hls30.com]

Every cap I have run into was installed with either Velcro, or more often, silicone. As Ron suggests, carefully pull it off-but if you think you are doing some damage, use a razor to trim the top into manageable pieces. ANy damage you do will be covered by a new to or the restoration of the dash.

Will

[TomoHawk]

Mine had a half-cap, and when I pulled it off, it pulled up chunks of the vinyl from the original dash. I found out that the PO used something like liquid nails (!) to attach the cap. I will probably have to use RTV silicone stuff instead of velcro, unless I can manage to get mine to shape itself better to the dash. I think mine was from Too Intense. It fits ( or used to ) fine, but the holes for the odometer & lamp dimmer knobs are in the wrong places.

[Tarmac]

It''s definitly not held on with velcro.

Mine had a half-cap, and when I pulled it off, it pulled up chunks of the vinyl from the original dash.

Yeah, thats what Im worried about. I was thinking about heating it up, maybe by putting it out in the hot Tucson sun for a hour, but I think RTV has a really high melting point. I'd like to keep the orginal dash in as good as shape as possible in case I use it as a mold for a new dash. Can anyone say carbon fiber?

[MEZZZ]

I removed my 1/2 cap this past weekend to get the tach/speedo out as I couldnt remove the gauges otherwise. I tried to carefully start to peel it up and even went so far as to use a metal blade in an effort to seperate the silicone. I still had no luck around the gauges. The P.O. used ALOT around all the gauges and try as I might, it took CHUNKS off it around the lips of the small gauges.

I ended up attmeting to cut it into pieces to remove it a little easier. I figured even though it was one of the better looking 1/2 caps I've seen, it gave me an excuse to buy a full cap and it arrived today. Got it from MSA and it looks SO much better. It covered all the damage I did removing the old.

My question is simple. I dont want to use alot of silicone again because I am thinking I want to reuse it if I ever need to remove it, i.e., dash bulbs in the tach/speedo. Is it possible to attach this cap sparingly, maybe around the edges only without it popping due to expansion/contraction, etc?

I really dont want to buy a new cap everytime I need to replace a bulb

[xxxpatsabxxx]

im thinking about buying a full cap. do they look good??? if u have installed one can u send me some pictures? and does anyone know if the velcro will be sufficient in holding it down? my dash is really messed up and i dont want to do the spray foam procedure.

[hls30.com]

look in my gallery-when properly installed the look really good!

I wrote an installation guide several years ago-check the archives-I'll post a link later tonight, no time to search at the moment...

Will

[redshoes]

i took everything apart when i pull my dash . i had rust under left side by instrutments took apart cleaned painted w/cast paint looks great can't remember how to hook rpm and speed gages ect. my 260 manual does not help are there any tech manuals i can use?????

[MEZZZ]

im thinking about buying a full cap. do they look good??? if u have installed one can u send me some pictures? and does anyone know if the velcro will be sufficient in holding it down? my dash is really messed up and i dont want to do the spray foam procedure.

Damn, that IS messed up! I would still recommend using some type of filler on those cracks...something lile the SEM bumper repair. I thought mine looked bad. The full dash I installed a couple weeks ago looks good but wasnt a perfect fit. I pulled it, pushed it, heated it, etc and still couldnt get it perfect but it looks alot better than the 1/2 cap. My dash was almost gone around the 3 small gauges and it covered the entire mess up rather nicely.

[MEZZZ]

i took everything apart when i pull my dash . i had rust under left side by instrutments took apart cleaned painted w/cast paint looks great can't remember how to hook rpm and speed gages ect. my 260 manual does not help are there any tech manuals i can use?????

The tach is easy. One plug, only plugs in one way, look thru the hole (right side) in the dash and you will see the connector. Plug it in, slide the tach thru the front of the hole, one screw underneath and one screw on the top of the tach housing from the front.

Speedo is screwed in the same, also one plug to connect but you also have to deal with the speedo cable and trip reset cable. I found it easiest to plug connector in 1st, then attach the trip cable with the 1 tiny set screw. Then as you start to slide the speedo into the dash, get underneath and line up the speedo cable and turn the bolt by hand until tight. Finish tightening with a wrench, slide it in the rest of the way and secure with screws just like the tach.

[Tarmac]

I just got around to pulling off the old cap. It was held on with a silicone RTV type of sealant. I tried to take it easy and slow, but even with a straight razor it pulled up chunks of dash. I'll post up some pics later.

Anyhoo, the new cap looks a lot better, and covers all the damage. If you ever put on a dash cap, make sure you dont get too close to the lip of the cover.

Thanks!