My "new" '74 Duster- or why I need a project like a hole in the head
Ok, a little update!
I've been working on a few different things as I try to get this Duster back on the road, but I figured since I've pretty much finished my dash resto that I'd update the thread.
You've already seen the work I did to the "standard" dash to make it fit a rally cluster. But here's the work I did to restore the rally cluster I plan to install. So here goes with the rally dash restoration.
This is what I started with. Your basic cut up rally dash. It had been badly painted at least once as well.
After sanding it down and cleaning up where it had been cut for a radio, I ended up with this. I started with 220 grit for the rough stuff, then moved up to 400 grit for the finish sanding.
Now here's where the barracuda owners get to have a coronary. I bought a used dash trim piece, removed the barracuda script, and sanded things down. Then, I cut it to fit my dash. Notice here that I opted to change my dash from stock. The glove box trim piece NEVER seems to line up, and the corner of the dash piece always seems broken. So, instead of making the cluster continue all the way across the entire dash, I set it up to end evenly with the top part of the bezel.
Now, clamped in place and ready for the Plast-Aid I bought online. That stuff is great!!! Smells horrible, but the repairs seem much stronger than even the original material.
All finished with the repair stage. The lower piece is repaired and I sanded everything to blend it together.
Here we are painted with flexible plastic primer. No, I haven't the slightest idea why its that color.
Next I painted the dash with low gloss black paint. This is high heat engine paint, I kinda hope it holds up better to the sun.
Taped for semi-gloss. Notice that I'm not too worried about the infill areas. I have an overlay for the top to replace the original, and a trick up my sleeve for the lower infill area. :D
Painted with semi-gloss where it needs to be. The semi-gloss engine paint is actually pretty glossy...
I then used an "argent" silver paint pen to trim out the lettering and raised circles around the switches. I did the same with the lens cups, but I didn't take any pictures of that process. Same deal, sanded, primed, then low-gloss black.
And next, the final product...
Ok, a little update!
I've been working on a few different things as I try to get this Duster back on the road, but I figured since I've pretty much finished my dash resto that I'd update the thread.
You've already seen the work I did to the "standard" dash to make it fit a rally cluster. But here's the work I did to restore the rally cluster I plan to install. So here goes with the rally dash restoration.
This is what I started with. Your basic cut up rally dash. It had been badly painted at least once as well.
After sanding it down and cleaning up where it had been cut for a radio, I ended up with this. I started with 220 grit for the rough stuff, then moved up to 400 grit for the finish sanding.
Now here's where the barracuda owners get to have a coronary. I bought a used dash trim piece, removed the barracuda script, and sanded things down. Then, I cut it to fit my dash. Notice here that I opted to change my dash from stock. The glove box trim piece NEVER seems to line up, and the corner of the dash piece always seems broken. So, instead of making the cluster continue all the way across the entire dash, I set it up to end evenly with the top part of the bezel.
Now, clamped in place and ready for the Plast-Aid I bought online. That stuff is great!!! Smells horrible, but the repairs seem much stronger than even the original material.
All finished with the repair stage. The lower piece is repaired and I sanded everything to blend it together.
Here we are painted with flexible plastic primer. No, I haven't the slightest idea why its that color.
Next I painted the dash with low gloss black paint. This is high heat engine paint, I kinda hope it holds up better to the sun.
Taped for semi-gloss. Notice that I'm not too worried about the infill areas. I have an overlay for the top to replace the original, and a trick up my sleeve for the lower infill area. :D
Painted with semi-gloss where it needs to be. The semi-gloss engine paint is actually pretty glossy...
I then used an "argent" silver paint pen to trim out the lettering and raised circles around the switches. I did the same with the lens cups, but I didn't take any pictures of that process. Same deal, sanded, primed, then low-gloss black.
And next, the final product...