The 'E' Type Forum

Hi,
I need to replace the plastic covering of central instruments panel. It's like black vinyl but I don't found It. Does anyone know where I can find it?
Thaks
Giovanni

The original was Lamiplate or similar, textured vinyl bonded to the galvanised metal with rollers and there is no direct equivalent. You can buy vinyl cloth and glue it - BAS and others will sell you a suitable length.

Hi
I treated my 56 year old greying dirty dash panel covers with a jolly good scrub with fairy liquid
I the polished them with plenty of black boot polish to get the colour back...absolutely lovely
I then finished off with vinyl cleaner /restorer from auto glym

The edges needed a little contact adhaesive to re stick them

Result... perfectly fitting with original material and grain
Less work, almost no cost

Robbie

Hi
The best for doing this is the " Vinide Leather Cloth" From Martrim .
Very thin, 1/32" ( 0.8mm) it's a very good product.
The vinyl from BAR or other has a too thick knitted backing it creat a wave around the dash when you mount them which isn't pretty.
Prefer neoprene in spray to glue it on the frame you'll avoid some acumulations of glue.
Mich

Naah...restore the original it’ll make you smile every time you press the black “ON” button
Robbie

Giovanni,
If you want I can send you some vinide for free to do your job.
If you'r agree, give me your adress by private message.
Restor or change you'll have the two solution.
Mich

I am with Robbie on this.

That’s a real shame to replace. A few hours at the bench and that could look absolutely superb.

But, as my late father would say to appease dinner table rows... “It wouldn’t do if we were all the same”

Thank you all for the answers.
I had to remove the original covering because a switch was installed on the panel. In fact you can see the not original hole in the shoot. I then removed the instruments, removed the coating and welded the hole.
I bought the vinyle from Aldridge but it wasn't good. On the back it had fabric that made it very thick and not able to be glued to the metal.
I wish I could use the original cover but it has a hole and I don't think it's a good result to fix it.

It is almost impossible to glue the original back especially as it usually warped. Reasons why can be found here:
http://forum.etypeuk.com/viewtopic.php?p=41715#p41715

The trouble you will have with new vinyl is the centre dash will not match the vinyl grain pattern on the fascia's either side so you will need to do all three. Alternative is to try and buy an original dash panel but only an E-Type one will fit so beware of buying a Mk2 one.

It sounds as if Aldridge sent you the wrong type of vinyl. Ask them for 'leatherette for the dash panel' which is very thin'. I think I have a roll of it somewhere - PM me your address and I will send you enough for all three panels, if I can find it.

Hello, Is that a tear in the covering about mid panel? My covers were intact. I refinished the left and right dash panels on my 70 FHC. The original material had pulled away from the metal backing in several areas. It was very stiff. I used a heat gun and it became very pliable, even around the curved portions. I cleaned the surfaces with 3M adhesive remover; coated both the metal and back of the covering with DAP Wildwood contact cement and let set for about 15 minutes; heated with heat gun; pressed together and held tight with several clothes pins as clamps. This secured the cover to the panels very nicely.

Then I washed the covers with SEM Soap 39362. I deep cleaned and softened the vinyl with SEM Vinyl Prep 38343. Next SEM Plastic Adhesion Promoter 39863, then applied 3 light coats of SEM Color Coat Flexible Coating 15242 Satin Black. 3 coats were enough to provide good hiding. More or less may be needed.

I understand you are going with new cover material. Maybe this information will help you put it together and others who are repairing the original covering.