I just got done painting my pillars and im looking into painting the headliner and dash black. I want the dash to be a smooth gloss black. As you may know the dash is not smooth and in debating if i want to sand it or bondo it. It was a pain in the ass to sand the pillars and the dash is a much larger area. Am i wasting my time with the bondo or should i man up and just sand it all? I know im going to have to sand the bondo anyway, but it will be much easier than sanding hard plastic.

 

I don't know about the dash, but painting the fabric headline doesn't sound like to good of an idea. I'd have it dyed or just replace the fabric altogether

 

We did my buddies headliner with the headliner specific paint and it turned out great. Im not worried so much about the headliner yet, but more about the dash.

 

I'd just man up and sand the dash, but that's just me, or you could just go get the krylon fusion paint, and 2 coats or so should even the roughness out nicely

 

i wouldnt unless u do a flat color the glare u will get from the sun will murder ur eyes
but if u must the way to do it is 4 wet coats of filler primer wet sand smooth then paint
thats the way i did my center console

 

I know how to paint it im just wondering the best way to get the actual dash smooth.

 

sanding would probably be the cheapest but i think bondo would provide a better uniform look

 

don't cover it with bondo.. chances are it will eventualy crack or somthing. Sand as much of the texture off then apply a few coats of adhesion promoter, followed by enough layers of filler/high build primer to make it smooth. then paint on that.

 

4 wet coats of filler primer and wet sand will do itit will be smooth

 

If you want a smooth gloss finish, similar to the outside of the car you will need to remove the dash board from the car and fiberglass it. Its a big chore. Like someone already said the glare will kill you plus is shows every single finger print, smudge, and speck of dust. Its a pain for an everyday car.

 

I have done fiberglass work before and for this situation it would be pointless. fiberglass is for structure and the dash has that already, Plus you have to bondo over the fiberglass anyway. Technically i could do, but it would be more work than needed.

 

Here is an update, I got the entire dash out and sanded. Its starting to look pretty good. My problem now is the passenger airbag cover. Is there any way to get that off? My dash will look like **** if everything is painted except for the airbag cover.

 

Got pics

 

Not yet, everything is over in my moms garage. Im getting my head shaved today for St. Baldricks then im going back over there. I will get some pics then. Do you know what part im talking about tho?

 

DO NOT USE bondo over top your dash. i already experimented with bondo on our panels. itll start to sand down nicely, then when you get to where you want it, it'll just crack off. just go borrow sombodys DA sander and go to town. its the eaisiest way to get it smoothed out, did it to the door panels and it looks like a dream. just my advice on it.

 

your opening a really big can of worms !!!!!!!

 

Yea its all good now, i sanded everything hit it with some filler primer and started wet sanding. Can anyone tell me how to get the passenger airbag cover off tho?

 

def. take pics cuz this sounds sweeet

 

Bump for how to get the passenger air bag cover off.

 

I got tied up yesterday and didn't get a chance to take pics. I was looking at the headliner and it is turning out awesome. The dash comes apart in two pieces. The piece closest to the wind shield has a coat of black on it and is lookin SHINEY. The main part of the dash is still primered beacuse im still trying to get some of the rough spots smooth. If i get a chance i will go over this week and take pics but more than likley it will be this weekend. Anyone know how to get the passenger side airbag cover off?

 

No one knows how to get the passenger side air bag cover off?

 

is the bag attached or is it seperate?
If its seperate then it should just pop out like the air bag would do when it explodes. just an idea

 

It is hard to explain. The cover has plastic brackets that are supposed to break away when the airbag explodes. They are held down under these metal hooks that are attached to the airbag. I could cut the plastic to get the top off but i dont wanna affect the airbag or have it rattle after it is finished.

 

without actually seeing it, i have no clue and now stumped

 

messing with the air baga sounds like a rolling knock out waiting to happen...