Hi All,

After umming and erring over whether to buy the new dash covers, I took the plunge and figured it was only $260 (only?!?) and if it went wrong I'd eventually do the full recon in the future at some stage. Of course having a severe lack of talent had me worried. I know everyone likes pics, so a heap are posted below of the condition beforehand, followed by pics of it all prepared. To prep you have to cut out all of the swollen bits (sounds painful) or as the instructions said all the "tumescent" bits.

Now I only had half a dash left. Then came the fitting. To be frank, it isn't a clean fit, which could be either:

* Gwendolyns dash has warped and disfigured over the years
* The mould that is used in the manufacture isn't the best.

I suspect both contribute.

Nonetheless I fought on, and after a disaster with the glue I had the dash on, and then used my sons old crutches and a short broom stick to prop everything in place.

Took it all off this afternoon, and whilst it looks OKish, the panel gaps (which you'll see in the photos) are really annoying, so hardly an unqualified success, but I'm yet to decide if it's a total failure. Trying to figure out how I might reduce the gap on the drivers side with more glue and different clamping.

Any suggestions welcome.

Cheers

more photos

and finally

I think I only paid $320 or $340 for a complete recover looks as good as new and no glue, but good on ya for giving it a go

I would`ve thought you`d have to take out the 'eye' ball vent trim surrounds at each end of the dash then refit into the new cover. As for the gaps,perhaps some black silastic or Sikaflex, the stuff used on windscreens -once in it`s there for good. Seems like it didn`t turn out that bad. cheers

For a first go it hasn't turned out to bad. As per thugbug, I would suggest Sikaflex. Just need to make sure that you smooth it nicely.

Cheers

Adam

Bummer, I thought redoing the dash was a lot more expensive than that. If I'd known that I wouldn't have wasted my money (or time) on the dodgy version. Lesson learnt.

Bloody kids and down loading music - used up all the the bandwith.
Only just loaded the pictures.

personally - i think it looks OK
Except fot the air outlets.
Fairly easy fix. Dig/cut/scape the old ones out and stick some new ones over the top

as Barry said theyre a prick of a thing to R&R

i did an article on SBO on removeing them

http://www.superbeetlesonly.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=6982 

but beleive me getting them out is the easy part
ive taught the whole neighbour hood swear words that dont exist yet putting one back in

it didnt turn out to bad
only thing that really stands out is the door glass defrosters
and they just need to be sealed in better with sikaflex as others have suggested