Help! Dash Kit?

[pas304]

Greetings from Hawaii,

Ugh! I've been working all day on cleaning the gunky "Soft Touch" paint off the interior/dash of my car with limited success. Don't hate me, but I just don't have it in me to spend the rest of my life soaking and scraping, so...

....has anyone had success with replacing the gummy parts (radio surround, center dash console, speedometer top, etc.)? I think I'm looking for a "dash kit" but am not sure if that's exactly what I need.

1. Do these parts just go on top of the existing parts or replace them?
2. Where can I find a good kit for a 2003 hardtop NB?
3. Other solutions to this "Soft Touch" problem that don't involve cleaning?

Please help. I love my Gloria, but...she's a mess inside.

[callisto9]

You can always get something like this:

Volkswagen New Beetle Dash Cover The Bug Dash GLS TDI :eBay Motors (item 110441762635 end time Oct-10-09 11:57:20 PDT)

It's just an overlay and not a replacement. There's a guy here who sells them (Argentissa). However, there's some question about his reputation. I personally didn't like my BugDash and returned it.

[FarrisK]

Originally Posted by callisto9

You can always get something like this:

Volkswagen New Beetle Dash Cover The Bug Dash GLS TDI :eBay Motors (item 110441762635 end time Oct-10-09 11:57:20 PDT)

It's just an overlay and not a replacement. There's a guy here who sells them (Argentissa). However, there's some question about his reputation. I personally didn't like my BugDash and returned it.

Argintessa was banned earlier this year for unscrupulous business practices. He created multiple profiles here on the org to give himeself positive reviews.

I still have my Bug Dash (he wouldn't refund me money personally, just have me send it straight to another customer of his), but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. It scratched my dash BAD.

[callisto9]

Originally Posted by FarrisK

Argintessa was banned earlier this year for unscrupulous business practices. He created multiple profiles here on the org to give himeself positive reviews.

I still have my Bug Dash (he wouldn't refund me money personally, just have me send it straight to another customer of his), but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. It scratched my dash BAD.

I saw that he was banned! LOL

I did get a refund from him, well, same thing really - had me send to another customer and that customer paid me (I think).

I didn't like the thing either - warped when the heat defrost was on and scratched my dash as well.

[pas304]

Thanks. I saw that thing. Not exactly what I'm talking about. More like this , which is molded and goes over various parts of the dash, console, etc.

Anyone have any luck with these?

[Oldbugman]

Originally Posted by pas304

Thanks. I saw that thing. Not exactly what I'm talking about. More like this , which is molded and goes over various parts of the dash, console, etc.

Anyone have any luck with these?

I believe even with a dash kit like this you would still need to clean off the areas that the adhesive tape would touch, I really don't think you would get the proper adhesion on the parts if you have soft touch paint that is all gooey, JMO not sure exactly, aand it won't take the rest of your life to clean the old soft touch paint off even though some pieces do seem like it. Clean the old paint offf then start anew, you'll be proud of what you've done.

[pas304]

Thank you Oldbugman. I know you are right - I will be happier in the end. The problem is I haven't found a dependable way to strip the old paint off. I've tried everything under the sun (rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover, Easy Off oven cleaner, gasoline...you name it, I've tried it) but the paint doesn't come off with any consistency. Certain sections clean up relatively easily (where the Soft Touch paint was already chipped away), but others I've had absolutely no luck with. I have been to two hardware stores, two auto supply stores, the upholsterer who re-did my headliner, and the garage where I have my NB serviced. Not one person had any suggestions for how to clean up this mess.

HELP!

[callisto9]

What about GooGone or paint thinner?

[pas304]

Goo Gone does not work. Paint thinner melts the plastic. I've checked the archives here and others in the past have had this problem. I've tried everything they've mentioned, with only minimum progress.

[pas304]

Thank you for all the suggestions and support. I spent most of the day, but successfully removed the gunk from the pieces of my dash. Used Greased Lightening and a 3M scrubby. Worked great. Now to paint!

[callisto9]

Pics!