Hey guys -

The metal bar in the dash has surface rust in every FD I've ever seen, no big deal, it's just how it is.

Putting together a car and going deep into the car and dash and I'm tempted to do something to the dash bar, treat it, paint it, something so it's nice and not rusty.

Many of the electronic components ground to the beam so I don't want to coat or do something to it that will make for poor electrical grounds.

What have you guys done? Were you pleased with the results?

Dale

 

I covered up the holes where ground points are and used POR-15. Worked out great.

 

Will show a pic when I get home from work

 

If a tree falls in the forest, does it make a sound?

 

I've been reading up on POR-15, did you do the whole process with the cleaner, the treatment, then the paint itself?

Dale

 

I took mine apart and had it media blasted and then powdercoated. I sanded the coating off on ground points and have not had any issues.

 

Well I did use metal prep.. whether or not I followed the instructions perfectly but it worked out well. It said to use two light coats for maximum protection but where its located I just used one good coat. It's uv sensitive but also where it's located it don't matter anyway. Did it for the power steering rack and pinion too.

 

You can't put that back in your car!

 

This is what I would do if the part is accessible.

 

Rust converter followed by epoxy for me. Then relocate all the grounds.

 

/thread

 

Sweet! Not looking to go the full powdercoating route, a DIY approach is what I'm looking for.

Good to know that the grounds just need to be cleaned up. Figure while I'm in that deep it's worth spending an afternoon cleaning, de-rusting, and painting.

Suggestions on de-rusting?

Dale

 

Duplicolor Rust Fix. Cheap and easy. Turns rust into a paintable primer.

 

EXCELLENT. That's what I'm thinking about! Thanks Ihor!

Dale

 

I've used this stuff before. It's much easier to prep/use than the POR-15 mentioned, but it definitely doesn't last as long as POR-15.

 

For this purpose it doesn't have to be bulletproof. Bought a can today!

Dale

 

Why does it need to be dealt with at all? It's invisible, and unlikely to rust out in the next century as is. Just curious.

 

I tried sanding mine and then went to a wire wheel. It just made a mess and was too much. I just used this enamel stuff on the whole thing and sanded the ground points down. Right over the rust I painted. I did it for the sole purpose of making it easier to handle. It's smooth like a powder coated surface now and makes dealing with it much more manageable. The feeling of one of these things covered in rust is cringe worthy.

 

Because he will knooooooow.

 

^Yep. It's also one of those "while you're in there" things.

Not looking to spend a ton of money or spend a week on the project, just something to make it decent. Will also probably do the steering column.

Dale

 

Of course, unless you are a highly skilled, patience person, with a mild penchant for gambling, it is not likely a good idea to remove the dash and strip I down to its component parts. The risk of breaking some near irreplaceable parts in the process can't be ignored.


The painted part is a thing of beauty no doubt!

 

I leave no rock unturned lol

 

I have three good condition and complete (other than defroster vents) RHD dashes in storage, if you happen to drop one of those rocks.

 

Haha yes thank you. If I haopen to take on another project later down the road to wrap a dash in leather I will get in contact with you.

 

Someone in UK is selling leather custom wraps, I think.


I have fourth example with just the plastic frame with skin.


Come pick it up next time you are in Vancouver on rotation.