Who says you have to go thru the tedious task of removing and then re-installing the dash to change the color? It did take my awhile to mask everything perfectly, but it was much, much easier. The job came out fantastic. I am finally getting rid of the horrible marroon and going black.

I will post more pics when I get everything back together.

 

Actually the correct procedure to R&R the dash in the 84-85 models is not as bad as you would think. The archived procedure is incorrect telling you to remove things that you don't have to. The dash comes out as a unit with the framework in tact. I know because at first I followed the procedure. :-)

When I changed the color on my Se from the chocolate brown to the Tan I used Sem paints. What type did you use?

 

Yeah, i'm going to change the color of my dash too. What time of paint did you use?

 

Holy mad masking skills.

I am going to recoat and refinish my bath tub pretty soon (ol lady is making me) and this is giving me visions of my near future, lol.

Looks good though!

 

I used Plasti-kote vinyl paint. I have used it on my other interior plastics and has held up for years without any fading or peeling.

By the way, I came up with a great idea. I'm a pro carpet cleaner and I used my machine while painting to suck the air-bourne paint out of the air. Worked like a champ. A shop-vac will work just as well.

 

I hope you have good luck with the Plasti-kote. I have not though. That's why I went to the Sem paints. It is more of a professional paint. The SEM paints also match the OEM colors alot better than the generic Plasti-kote does.

 

Yea, Doc's right about the dash removal. I removed mine with the metal frame intact, and it wasn't that bad. The toughest part was getting it past the shifter and hand brake lever. I may remove those when I go to reinstall.

Rich

 

So you guys that R&R'd the dash the right way, how many hours did it take?

 

well i just did the removal of my dash tonight, once i got my ADD under control for more than 35sec that is.. hahaha.. once i finally got on track it only took me about an hour tops to pull it in one piece. (though that may have been due to this making the 3rd dash removal

 

Dang, maybe one of you guys should post the correct procedure for dash R&R

The one I read described it as a pain in the ***

 

My 85 dash removal was a pita. Plus, I luckily had my windshield off, making an even easier get-away for it. I guess I just did things wrong. =) I'm sweatin bullets about putting it back on as well.

 

i would BUT my write up skills are not that great, cant seem to keep focused long enough to get it done lol

 

Ask and ye shall receive:

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.p...highlight=dash


Actually, the archive and FAQ are great sources of info. I know a lot of people forget about them. If you do a project and are looking for guidance, check the archive. If there isn't a write-up, consider making one. It will help others in the future.

 

where does one get this SEM paint cus uhh my tan dash needs a good restorin heh

 

The description in that thread is much more difficult than necessary. He removes the dash from the metal frameworks while still in the car, then removes the metal support frameworks separately. Why, who knows?

To remove the Dash there is no need to separate it from the metal frameworks. Just take out the entire Dash assembly altogether. Less than 1 hour is required, and very simple.

Beware there is good info and there is incorrect/bad infos. Another thread instructs to disconnect and remove the entire idlerarm just to replace the bushings. Another thread instructs to pull out the complete steering column for a power steering, which is impossible because the firewall hole is too small. Recently another thread instructs to jack up the transmission without disconnection from its mount. A few examples of bad, but good info also exists. So take the moral be judicious of advice.

 

^ True. You don't need to separate the frame. When I removed my dash, there was no write-up (actually I think there was a really old one and the pics were gone) and had to figure it out on my own. I didn't separate the frame, but it did take awhile to find all the screws/bolts holding the dash in. After you do it once, then it is easy after that.

 

www.semproducts.com
Here is a link to when I did the color change on my Se so you can see the color.

https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=615115

 

For the single use, an auto paint distributor. The paint distributor or mfr can color match for you from a small sample, if you don't mix the color yourself. Choose a sample from a covered area, unexposed to Sunlight.

For restoration business or dealership, Vinyl-Pro of Western Pa. (Thad Kresho) sells paint and supplies, Spectrophotometer, instruction videos, etc, http://www.vinylpro.com or http://www.vinylprosem.com He has instructions for painting and repairing leather and vinyl and color matching on the web site, and you can e-mail him specific Questions. Read here the procedures for painting: http://www.vinylprosem.com/page/1291223

 

I almost forgot. Manntis has a good dash removal write-up on his site also:

http://www.rotorhead.ca/topic.php?fl...=dashremoval_1

 

thanks for the link

 

So fasteddie5150, any after pics?

 

Yes, after pics are coming soon. My interior is looking sick....................

 

I have not been able to find a thread describing this 'easy' method. I've searched without success. Is there a thread in the archives describing this 1 hour, take it out as a unit with the frame?

 

That masking work looks so good, you should just LEAVE it like that!

Reminds me of that web thread about the guy who wrapped his friend's entire apartment, every single thing in it, in aluminum foil while the friend was away. Awesome pix.

 

http://www.yourautotrim.com/semdye.html sells SEM paint by the can, along with all the SEM prep materials.

Havn't actually compared their prices to anyone else though.

Hey Doc (or anyone else who's used the SEM aerosol), how many coats can you get on the dash per can?