How to get to some areas to paint interior.

[Wutang1]

I Have my interior painted but there are a couple places that i dont know how to get without destroying the car it seems like. First is the piece that is part of the speed odometer and fuel guage that case how do you take it off just snap it off or is there a secret and also the vent that is on the top of the dash that is a oval shape how do you get to that. I was just curious cuz i really dont know how to get in there and get those pieces out. Any sugestions would be helpful...

[SSRacer]

I assume you are talking about the big two opening shroud around the instrument cluster. First you have to remove the cover from the steering column. If I remember correctly it is just two pieces (top and bottom) that snap apart. Then you will see two bolts at the bottom of the cluster shroud that have to be removed. (they can be tricky to get too, because they are pretty far back) Then, from the underside of the top of the shroud there are two screws, one in front of the tach and one in front of the speedo. Once those are out, I think there are a couple of spring clips that help hold it in place, but it should just pull out.

No idea on the vent. I never really cared for the look with it painted. Less is more kinda thing.

[DrFabulous]

The dash vents just pry off... use a flathead screwdriver and pull carefully, pops right off

[Bryan]

Yeah just pry at the vent, I believe there are 6 or so clips on it. And as Dr. Fab said above, be careful, the clips and/or vent itself can easily crack.

[DrFabulous]

Biggest pain in the ass by far is getting the circular vents off.... they are still blue on my car even though I've painted everything else black, because I am sick of prying at them with a wire hanger


Having done tore apart and painted (and repainted) a GA interior 4 times so far, I can only say one thing- BE PATIENT. I'm embarrassed to admit how many parts I've cracked, bent or broke because I tried to pry it out with force.

[Jbrinda18]

Biggest pain in the ass by far is getting the circular vents off.... they are still blue on my car even though I've painted everything else black, because I am sick of prying at them with a wire hanger


turn them to a closed position....stick a screwdriver through the smallest vent opening, use it as a lever. pops right out no problem. takes 2 seconds...

[DrFabulous]

turn them to a closed position....stick a screwdriver through the smallest vent opening, use it as a lever. pops right out no problem. takes 2 seconds...

I've always used the bent hanger on the tabs trick

[boost21]

I've always used the bent hanger on the tabs trick

done that, also some of mine just pop off with a little tug with them in the closed position.