Restoration help needed

[mrwrstory]

First question:

Does anyone know if these plastic dash parts are reproduced,...and if so, who and where?

-

-

Second question:

Does anyone have any tips for removing these speed nuts w/o damaging the plastic studs? I'm thinking carefully cut off the speed nuts and find new ones.

-

Third question:

Does anyone have any tips for restoring the back side of this plastic emblem the goes on the center of the dash?

-

Thanks in advance for any input offered. And, Promise Pics and a P-15 Plymouth Progress report via "I'm back",...by next week.

[Young Ed]

No I've never seen reproductions. Easy enough to fix yourself if the paint isn't bad. On the round medalion I sanded the grey off and repainted and left the letters alone as mine still looked good. The plymouth badge has a sort of texture to the back so sanding doesn't work. You need paint remover or some other method. I think I carefully used a wire brush. Since you are painting the backside you can either tape the letters and paint the rest or tape the rest and paint the letters first.

The speed nuts will come off if you carefully pry up the little tabs. Get a small punch or dental pick.

[JohnS48plm]

someone told me to use acetone to clean off the paint. I never tried it but if you have some try it on a corner of the emblem and see what it does. JohnS

[BobT-47P15]

On the speed nuts, I think I used my small vice grips, grabbed the sides,

and gently worked them.....turning and pulling up.

[Plymouthy Adams]

be extremely careful with solvents you may use on the plastic...for instance in Plexiglass..acetone is used to fuse to pieces together for a almost seamless look..

[Joe Flanagan]

In my experience, E-bay has been the best source of original plastic emblems and such. I second what Tim said about using solvent on plastics. Lacquer thinner is one to watch out for, too. My local Lowe's carries the speed nuts you pictured. You may be able to find them there as well.

[mrwrstory]

As Young Ed suggested, careful picking and prying with dental picks got the speed nuts off without damage to the stud or the nut. Careful sanding with 800 wet/dry eliminated the first layer of paint, leaving the paint filled script intact.

The larger dash center piece is a different animal. I was able, with a soft brass wire brush, to remove about half of the paint in/on the textured area. I know the risks of solvents and plastic. However, lacquer thinner works without apparent affect on the plastic.

I'm about halfway done. The trick before me is to completely clean the little diamonds in the texture and sneak up on the "Plymouth" lettering without damaging it with solvent. I'm planning to pack the depressed lettering with modeling clay and hope that will protect the paint fill from the thinner.

I'll let ya'll know and post pics in a day or so.

[Young Ed]

Bill back when i was little Dad gave me a 52 plymouth hood badge. I thought it would be cool to make a mold of it with my silly putty. I pulled about 1/2 of the paint off of it. Silly putty isn't quite the same as clay but be careful. Now I wonder if you could use silly putty to remove the rest of the paint from the textured area.........

[Frank Elder]

Ed, silly putty was made to pull paint/dyes and inks:eek:you should have used Pla-Doh:)

[Young Ed]

Ed, silly putty was made to pull paint/dyes and inks:eek:you should have used Pla-Doh:)

I haven't touched that stuff in years but when I was little the smell of playdoh was an almost instant headache for me. Hope my kid doesn't want to play with it!

[Niel Hoback]

Safe paint remover especially for plastics is good old brake fluid. An overnight soak will have the paint sliding off in sheets. I would not use laquer thinner on plastic as it can eat the surace. Put laquer thinner on a craftsman screwdriver handle and you will see what happens.

[Captain Neon]

I haven't touched that stuff in years but when I was little the smell of playdoh was an almost instant headache for me. Hope my kid doesn't want to play with it!

Have Carmen make him the home-made stuff. It ain't got the stench.

[Don Coatney]

Have Carmen make him the home-made stuff. It ain't got the stench.

Got a recipe?

[greg g]

Recipe 1

3 cups flour

1.5 cups salt

6 tsp. cream of tarter

3 tbsp. oil

3 cups water

Pour all ingredients into a large pot. Stir constantly over medium heat until a dough ball forms by pulling away from the sides. Knead dough until the texture matches play dough (1-2 minutes). Store in plastic container

[Young Ed]

Sounds about right. I did occasionally play and even made my own homemade stuff. I believe you can also add food coloring to get the fun colors.

[Merle Coggins]

I remember my Mother making that stuff a lot when we were kids. I never had the store bought stuff. And yes, a few drops of food coloring can make it any color you wish.

Merle

[Don Coatney]

Recipe 1

3 cups flour

1.5 cups salt

6 tsp. cream of tarter

3 tbsp. oil

3 cups water

Pour all ingredients into a large pot. Stir constantly over medium heat until a dough ball forms by pulling away from the sides. Knead dough until the texture matches play dough (1-2 minutes). Store in plastic container

How does it taste? My guess is it does not taste nearly as good as the cake I baked yesterday.

[Jerry Roberts]

I have read that if you want to mold plastic to a shape , you can dissolve a tooth brush handle in laquer thinner and pour it .

[Niel Hoback]

So, if I dissolve a tan toothbrush in laquer thinner, I could pour it into a mold and make dash knobs? This warrants looking into. Casting toothbrushes, thats just goofy enough to work.

[Joe Flanagan]

How does it taste? My guess is it does not taste nearly as good as the cake I baked yesterday.

But if it's a close second, you better head to remedial baking school.

[Jerry Roberts]

So, if I dissolve a tan toothbrush in laquer thinner, I could pour it into a mold and make dash knobs? This warrants looking into. Casting toothbrushes, thats just goofy enough to work.

Niel , Let us know how it comes out . I am curious myself . I wonder if this is the process used by the guys who make the emblems that are plastic on steel . Very colorful .

[mrwrstory]

Started here with modeling clay.

one hour of working w/lacquer thinner

a good two hours more of pikin and scrubbin

-

-

the back has been repainted and is drying. Finished product tomorrow.

[mrwrstory]

re attachment of the vertical chrome pieces on the gloove box door:

The studs are a little oversize via the plating, They are also quite short. The holes are a bit smaller via the paint.

Therefore they don't yet snap into place.

I'm thinking they should be "staked" in place. However, before I start bangin away, I'd ask for confirmation.

[Young Ed]

Yup they were originally staked. One of mine doesnt have much left and has already fallen off once. If it falls off again I might have to resort to goo.

[mrwrstory]

Man, that was quick,....THANKS!!!