Looking at next falls project. I would like to replace all my knobs, vents dash , kick panels ect. I have a vert and was wondering , do I have to remove any of the interior to paint the dash? I will prob have to remove the console I'm sure. I'm guessing alot of tape and plastic?

I would not remove the interior to paint the dash unless you have lots of interior work to do. But, protect the interior with drop cloths, tape and paper. Don't forget ceiling. Console a good idea, but the console gauges at the least. If you have a/c you won't be able to remove the passenger kick panel with out a lot of work, it is not even necessary to remove it. But, if it is time for a new heat core or blower motor, then the timing is good (remove passenger inner fender, a/c box and heat box) to remove the passenger kick panel. Dash will be a harder job then you think. To paint it right, you will have to remove all knobs, center dash bezel, all vents, radio, Heat-A/C controller (just remove screws and push controller behind dash, but cover over so no overspray), remove glove box door and inner box. If the dash it is in really bad shape or your front windshield is in really bad shape, have a glass company remove the front windshield. It will be much easier to paint with it out of the car. Store in a very safe place. Have them reinstall after you paint. Good time to get rid of scratches in the glass also with celinium oxide polishing powder, on the glass. The painting of the dash is really kind of a big job if you have not done before. Take lots of pictures.

Ricks - Parts to order:
Dash Pad
lower center bezel screws - get 4 bags
Bag of wheel well screws and paint them black for glove box, these will be the closest screws you will find to the original if you don't have them.
Center Dash bezel, if you replace this, use Krylon Semi-Glass to paint the Ash Tray.
Center Vent
Knob set & Bezels
Stickers for the Knobs
new light switch
New lighter assembly
New Wiper Switch
Use Duplicolor Trim Paint if from a spray can
A/C - Heat Control Plate if can not able to read the controls very well anymore.
Inner glove box.
new glove box light switch if bad.
New dash speakers.
Outer vent bezels
If you replace the A/C-Heat box, replace the passenger kick panel and the dash Y vent if they are bad. You won't be able to do later if you don't do now. Use SEM Flex Coat to restore Heat box.

Take your time and mark and bag all the parts.

Good luck!!!

I would have to agree with Dale. Painting the dash is a larger job than it might seem to be. I would highly suggest removing the windshield if you have the budget to do so and you want it to look as good as possible. I did not remove the windshield and I spent A LOT of time taping where the windshield meets the dash. I bought a few things from Lowe's to help me do so because my fingers are too big to get in the corners (you will find this out very soon).

One big suggestion...MAKE SURE you clean the dash as well as possible before painting. I ran in to problems with 40 years of armor-all/cleaner being on my dash. I used a 1/2 bottle of degreaser and several of those sticky clothes that you can buy from the painting section in Lowe's to remove all lent, excess dirt etc. I also bought the gray primer/sealer which helped tremendously.

I agree with Dale about NOT removing ALL of the interior to paint the dash. I would remove the majority though. Dash pad, dash bezel, steering wheel, air vents and acces., pillars, rearview mirror. (that is if you are going to just paint the top of the dash). If you are going to paint ALL of the dash, you might want to remove more items.

Last point...you can never use too many drop clothes/plastic for overspray.

Good luck!

On the cleaning, you want to do that before sanding as well. Sanding will drive the armorall residue INTO the paint, even into the metal! And paint won't stick to it.

Arrons' list pretty much completes mine. You would have to remove the steering wheel. But, when you stop and think about it, you probably need your steering column painted also. Maybe make the steering column next years project. You might find out that this opens up a new can of worms. But at least drop the stearing wheel so you can paint the dash here.


SORRY IT IS SUCH A BIG JOB.

Painting the small top section at the top of the doors would also be easy, compared to everything else at this point.

The job is kind of like removing the wrong brick in the game "Jenga."