This is a short turial on how I painted the lower piece of the center dash section, the shroud around the window switches.

1) Remove the black rubber insert in the cup section of the piece. You will notice under the rubber
there are 2 small tabs holding the shifter side of the piece in.


2) All you need to release those tabs is a small straight slot screw driver...


3) By putting your fingers thru the slots in the bottom of the cup, you can get a little leverage on the piece,
with my thumb using the shifter ring for support. Just push gently on the tab with the screw driver and
carefully "pop" up the piece. Do the same on both tabs...


4) Once you have released both of the tabs, pull up gently on the piece. It should be free
enough now that you can get the screw driver under it in the upper corner.
VERY GENTLY...!!! Pry it up slightly til it "pops" out...
CAREFULLY REPEAT ON THE OTHER CORNER...


5) It should be loose enough now that you can remove it from the dash. Once I put the
camera down, the piece lifted right out with 2 hands.


6) Using a mild piece of Scotchbright, I basicly just removed the glossy finish from the plastic.
Just enough to help the paint stick.


7) Then I washed it with warm soapy water, and rinsed it with warm water.


*** Make sure the part is DRY before you do the next step***
*** I dried the part off with an air hose and let it sit for about 15 minutes in the
back of my shop. BEFORE I put the plastic adhesion promoter on it.

8) Then I gave it 2 light coats of plastic adhesion promoter.



9) First light coat of Flat Victory Red...


10) Second light coat...


11) Third and Final coat of Flat Victory Red...


I let it dry for 3 hours after the final coat of paint. Just reverse the procedure for re-install, by "snapping" the top corners of the piece in first. Then just push the bottom of the cup down into place, you should feel the tabs snap into place.

Now just sit back and enjoy your new custom dash.


TIPS

Engage your parking brake, and put your trans in low gear (auto) or 2nd/3rd (manual). This will give you plenty of room to work with your project.
Make sure to wash your hands before you handle the parts after painting, while you re-install the part... and try to keep your fingers off of any painted surface.
Total time for this mod was 3 hours 45 minutes. That makes it a great inexpensive mod for an afternoon project.

Yes I know there are tools that are made for working with your interior... I'm a Redneck folks... if it cant be done with a screw driver... screw it..!!

 

Great "How-To" !!!

Let alone a very "first" how-to (on this board).

Excellent job - we are very fortunate to have you on the board.

I look forward to seeing what other mods you will come up with!

 

I know what I'm doing tomorrow!

 

Sindy, What color........ahhhh.........White?

 

Great step-by-step how-to.

 

Good job El_Guapo

This is one mod I actually have the tools for.

 

Great How-To El Guappo. Very well explained and nice photos. We should get the mods to move this to the How-To board.

Oh Sindy, I see you on.

 

Thanks for the compliments everyone... I am really enjoying this car, doing these little mods to it, and socializing with all of you. I'm really looking forward to what else can be done to the HHR, both in performance and looks.

 

Great tutorial! Thanks for taking the time to do a step-by-step guide.

I have never painted plastic parts. Long term, how well does the paint hold up/how durable is it?

 

El Guapo,

Thanks for takingthe time to enlighten us, I am now thinking about doing it to mine. A couple questions:

* did you use spray paint?
* how about a "how-to" on the upper plastic part....or has that been done here?

Thanks again!