The race is on - Namrups 65 Daytona Coupe build

[Namrups]

What about leather? I put the 1/8th foam on my roadster dash and covered that with leather. Did the same on the trans tunnel. It's been holding up nicely for 6 seasons. My initial setup was wood veneer on the dash and marine vinyl on the trans tunnel. When I swapped out the wood for leather, I changed the tunnel, too. I'm glad I made the switch on both. Just an idea for you.

I may go that route but would have to let a professional do it. Would hate to have the same issues due to my application technique. Also considering overall costs.

[Namrups]

You need to use an adhesive with low out-gassing properties. The bubbles you encountered are probably due to out-gassing of the adhesive. The adhesive must not be one which is air cured.

You said they are contact adhesives. These, usually, require some cure time before they are bonded. If you put them together too soon, they will form bubbles. Also note, the foam attached to the vinyl (I assume the vinyl is really PVC) should be closed cell and not open cell foam.

Open cell foam is not meant to be glued, like you have done. You remove about one inch of the foam from the edge of the vinyl and attach the edge with adhesive while stretching it out over the form. There is a double-sided barrier tape you can use to hold the foam in place where it might lift off the form.

Closed cell foam can be glued like you have done, but it must be a low out-gassing adhesive. Two part epoxies work well for this. Contact adhesives will work, but you have to be really careful about the application and cure time.

Just my thoughts on it.

I made sure the foam was proper for the application. It was closed cell and was reccomended. I followed the application (at least I thought I did) for the adhesive as to applying to both surfaces and letting it sit for a specific amount of time to tack up. It worked for the foam to the aluminum. That stuck like hell. It's what I'm removing now. The marine vinyl to the foam interface and any vinyl to aluminum is what is failing. Marine vinyl is what I had been told to use but it certinly didn't work for me.

[Skuzzy]

I could not find anything on "DKS Products Pro Grip". If it has a warning about it being flammable, then that may have caused the problem. Flammable adhesives contain hydrocarbons which can cause vinyls to fail while it out-gasses. I use either two part epoxies or urethane adhesive when gluing automotive materials. Rather than foam, for the dash, I use neoprene backing.

Consider using naugahyde, or sileather. Both are low maintenance and very resilient.

[Namrups]

I could not find anything on "DKS Products Pro Grip". If it has a warning about it being flammable, then that may have caused the problem. Flammable adhesives contain hydrocarbons which can cause vinyls to fail while it out-gasses. I use either two part epoxies or urethane adhesive when gluing automotive materials. Rather than foam, for the dash, I use neoprene backing.

Consider using naugahyde, or sileather. Both are low maintenance and very resilient.

Thanks Skuzzy. I have time to make my decision but these posts have helped to give me a set of brains! Thanks to all!

[460.465USMC]

FWIW, I powder coated the dash in my MK4, and pretty sure I'll do the same on my Coupe. I like the nod to the era with metal dashes, and it's a clean look IMHO. Virtually unlimited colors and textures available.

[Namrups]

FWIW, I powder coated the dash in my MK4, and pretty sure I'll do the same on my Coupe. I like the nod to the era with metal dashes, and it's a clean look IMHO. Virtually unlimited colors and textures available.

With powder coating being so smooth, do you think there would be an issue with glare across the top of the dash even with a flat or satin color? The reason I was thinking about Raptor is that it is a flat black color and has a slight texture that would eliminate glare. I think!

[460.465USMC]

Great question, Scott, and not something I had to face with the MK4. I've read about the glare concern with the Coupe. I'm going with a low gloss and light texture. However, there are much heavier textures available. I suppose a test piece would be the safest way to know for sure. Did you get glare with the material you just removed?

[Namrups]

Great question, Scott, and not something I had to face with the MK4. I've read about the glare concern with the Coupe. I'm going with a low gloss and light texture. However, there are much heavier textures available. I suppose a test piece would be the safest way to know for sure. Did you get glare with the material you just removed?

I did not get glare off the vinyl. I did get reflection of the vinyl in the windshield but that will happen with anything I use.

Scott

[Skuzzy]

I did not get glare off the vinyl. I did get reflection of the vinyl in the windshield but that will happen with anything I use.

Scott

I have an idea how to reduce that glare back from the windshield. If it works, I'll share how. Basically it boils down to diffusing the amount of light reflecting from any given surface.

[Namrups]

The weather in upstate NY is 50 degrees today so I took advantage and continued with the winter projects we all have with our cars at this time of the year. After putting the car on jack stands and removing the wheels to clean up the suspension and grease the chassis I noticed that the inside of the wheels were looking kind of crappie.


I had seen a add for Wheely Clean and decided to give it a try.


I was very impressed. I just sprayed it on the dry wheel, let it sit for 30 seconds then used a kitchen dish brush to scrub the surface followed by hosing off.


Worked great! Figured I share.

[Namrups]

Decided to use Raptor on my dash. Like the way it turned out.

[Namrups]

Health update!

Had an appointment with my cancer doctor three monthe ago. My bloodwork, for the appointment, had spiked. I had an infected toe-nail at the time and he thought that might be a contributing factor. Had another appointment yesterday to check and my bloodwork took another spike. Toe is healed so that wasn't it. Recently (within the last four months) I have noticed a sore behind my ear that doesn't seem to heal. (Not good when you have cancer!!) I pointed it out to my cancer doctor and he said it might be skin cancer and may be the reason for the spike. The challenge now is to find an in network Dermatologist who I don't have to wait a long time to see.

Scott

[JTG]

Thanks for the update Scott. I hope you're able to find someone who can see you quickly.

[Blitzboy54]

Health update!

Had an appointment with my cancer doctor three monthe ago. My bloodwork, for the appointment, had spiked. I had an infected toe-nail at the time and he thought that might be a contributing factor. Had another appointment yesterday to check and my bloodwork took another spike. Toe is healed so that wasn't it. Recently (within the last four months) I have noticed a sore behind my ear that doesn't seem to heal. (Not good when you have cancer!!) I pointed it out to my cancer doctor and he said it might be skin cancer and may be the reason for the spike. The challenge now is to find an in network Dermatologist who I don't have to wait a long time to see.

Scott

That genuinely sucks Scott. Let me know if you need any help. Happy to do whatever I can.

[Skuzzy]

Just kick its arse out the door and hang in there!

[460.465USMC]

Dang it! Stupid cancer! You've done a great job beating it so far. Hopefully, you're too ornery a guy to let it get the upper hand this time. Hang in there, man! Wishing you the best.

[UpstateCobraGuy]

Keep fighting my friend! We'll drive fast this summer....

[Namrups]

Keep fighting my friend! We'll drive fast this summer....

No other way my friend!!!

[Namrups]

Health Update 2

Found an in network Dermatologist that could get me right in.He confirmed it was skin cancer and took a biopsy sample. Called back with the results yesterday. Confirmed as Basal Cell Carcinoma. Basal Cell is the most common type of skin cancer and is the least likely to spread to other parts of the body. I have to go back to see him next week so he can scrape the rest of it out. Should end up with just a scab. Not to keen on the scraping part! I will then add him to the list of doctors to see on a regular basis.

Scott

[Jeff Kleiner]

Sounds like the best possible scenario Scott. Keep on my friend!

Jeff