Im sorry, I too feel like a late comer who doesnt quite fit in.lol a few are real good ata posting others not so much.

The bits by steering column and grab bar just pinch and pul off. the front center dash close to window you push forward and lift out .. look for how to change cabin filter it will show you. There is also a good post on the misbox for A/C heat that shows how to remove the center dash piece, involves screws and removing radio.

I dont know exactly how the speedo visor comes off. Ive tried , seems to pull free at spots . I too an considering painting dash pieces and will attempt soon

 

I want to do that too. Just the center part though. I guess you need some special tool to remove the stereo?

 

Yeah I'm pretty sure you need like a special key, I had to take my beetle to best buy so they can put an iPod adaptor in and I heard them talking about how it needed a key of some sort.. Idk where you'd buy those


>>United States Air Force<<

 

I want to paint dash and other interior pieces, I hate the grey in my car and I wanna give it some character I'll deft try and attempt to paint the dash when I do more research


>>United States Air Force<<

 

Other than the piece around the stereo, they're pretty easy to remove. I just replaced the cabin air filter which requires removing the center piece and passenger side and it wasn't too bad.

 

here's a utube video about removing the stereo

Volkswagen New Beetle Radio Removal - YouTube

And another thread about it
http://newbeetle.org/forums/questio...ums/questions-issues-concerns-problems-new-beetle/33351-radio-removal-tool.html

 

From the beginning:

Stereo: If it's factory you will need the removal keys. These are easy enough to get off ebay or you can pop down to your local dealer and they will release it for you. Then it's just a case of pulling it out and unplugging the wires behind.

Grab handle: Just prise the covers off each side and there is a screw behind each one, undo those and it's off.

Centre console: Start with the grab handle and stereo removal. Then at the bottom you have the panel with the hazard switch just below the heater controls. Price off the end caps and there's 2 screws behind there. Look underneath the same panel and there's 2 screws there. There's 2 where the stereo sits as well.
Move to the top where the gap is between the very front panel and the centre console push forward on that, it should just push away and you can lift that out. If you look where that clipped in there should be a couple more screws. Just check behind the other cover nearest to the centre console at the side of the steering wheel if there's one there as well.
After that the console should just pull toward you and out.

Cover for speedo: The binnacle part just pulls off. If you want the rear part off as well you have to remove the speedo itself. After you pull the binnacle off you will see a screw at each side, undo those. The speedo will then pull forward. Look behind it and you will see 2 cables going into it, unclip those, remove speedo. Then you will see a few screws holding the other part of the speedo cover on, Undo those and remove.

Budvase holder and other cover near steering wheel: Just pull off.

Door panel tops: Part of the door card.
To remove the door card you first need to prise off the door handle cover and take out the 2 screws behind. Then at the bottom edge of the door card you should see 3 screws, undo them. Lower window.
Pull the door card toward you and the clips holding it on will release. Then you have to prise up the top edge of the door card which is easier to do from the outside, hence lowering the window. Once the top edge is loose you then release all the connections behind the door card. Don't worry about remembering where they go, they all have their unique place.
The top panel is actually plastic welded to the rest.

Painting: Any of the rubber coated surfaces obviously need the rubber off first. Acetone and sanding is the easiest method tbh. After that get a GOOD plastic primer. Choose your paint, I used graffiti paint as it's as hard as nails but auto paint will be fine.

The one thing to remember is that most of the screws have a Triple square head to them. You can get away with using a Torx bit to take them out and these are easily got off ebay. T15 or T20 are the common sizes.

Hope that covered most of it and if you need help doing any just send a pm.

I did my own centre console and the handbrake surround.

 

I just picked up the stereo removal tools at walmart. It comes with various little tools but, includes the VW tool for 5-6 bucks

 

Nighttrain....do we need the code for the radio? Or will it work once you plug it back in?

D2beetle has a nice DIY on dash removal
http://newbeetle.org/forums/questions-issues-concerns-problems-new-beetle/41973-blend-door-diy.html

 

Normally it will hold it as you're not putting in another car and it should be held in the memory.

To be sure you i would have it to hand.

 

I don't have a factory cd player, I have a alpine stereo in right now. What kind of paint can I use on the plastic parts? And where could I get pink paint? right now I just want to paint the middle center console that goes all the way back in the dash

And thanks SO much for the help


>>United States Air Force

 

I started messin with ours today. The stuff i used to get that sticky rubber coating off was a bit too strong..lol..I kinda messed up the plastic a little. Then I found a thread that said to use "Greased Ligtning" to remove it...that's as far as I got.

 

For the center console? It has rubber in it? Lol what is greased lightning?!


>>United States Air Force<<

 

The coating on the centre console is a rubber like substance. As I said best way to get it off is acetone and sandpaper, just take your time.

Paint wise you need a good plastic primer and then the paint of your choice.

For the alpine, just look for removal keys on ebay, plenty on there.

 

I will drive a RH drive car before I croak!! I think that's so awesome!!

 

I'm considering using vinyl on my interior pieces. Rvinyl.com has precut vinyl for the pieces. I think this would be best for me since I'm s newbie to paint and have never actually painting anything. What do yall think?


>>United States Air Force<<

 

For me, being an artist is more enjoyable for me to spray paint anything as a first time experience as I think of "Air Brushing" style. Even though, I wanted Air brush kit, myself.

Spray painting requires patience and steadiness of movements. Start practicing starting small things then going on big parts.

 

I'm really artistic lol I've been in graphic design classes for 5 years and I've taken art classes and what not but I'm not an expert when it come to painting, like my dashboard.. Buying the spray paint and accessories would be cheaper than buying the vinyl kit.. I'm just afraid of ruining something that's why I was thinking of getting the vinyl


>>United States Air Force

 

I think you can pull off the spray paint with ease. Using a rattle can is an easy way to master spray painting. And the beauty is that it's an eaay medium to practice with.

Light even coats is key to application. By the time you lay down the few light coats, you'll have enough confidence to lay a final wet coat..

As a bugophile, such as yourself, i think it would be worth your while.to get some small project painting under your belt. The sense of pride you'll feel as you see the end result is well worth the effort spent in learning the process.

Do a search for the thread "painting, watch me work". Lots of good info and inspiration for ya.


Sent from my SGH-T679 using AutoGuide.com App

 

I painted the center piece yesterday, ended up not liking it, it was an indigo color. So today I got this textured graphite looking spray paint and did it again. I like this much better!! The panel isn't on all the way, just wanted to see how it looked.
Also, Lowes didn't have G Lightning so I got a spray can of goof off to remove the rubber coating, works great

 

Did you just pull that off or is it screws? Thanks for the pics!


>>United States Air Force<<

 

Just put the grab handle pieces on

 

Okayyy so I just read all 16 pages of the thread interior painting watch me work thread and I think I'm set on using finger nail polish remover to get the rubber junk of and put the pieces under running water and sand it off?

I'm so nervous guys but I'm determined to do this...

Also: what would be a good interior Color for a silver beetle? I was thinking pink to match my pinstripes on the outside (pink is my favorite Color as well)

Where can I go to look at a wide range of Colors to paint the plastic and should I get a clear coat paint as well

This site has given me so much inspiration to make my car look better and give it my own personal touch
I'm looking forward to some replies


>>United States Air Force<<

 

Nail varnish remover is basically acetone which is what i mentioned earlier. Combine that with sandpaper and you'll get the stuff off no problem.

As for the painting that depends on what paint you use. I used graffiti paint which is really hard. Sanded that down through various grades through to 2500grade to get the shine i wanted on it. No lacquer on there at all.

The bit in the pictures above just pushes forward..

 

I just creeped on your page and noticed you were from the UK, very nice ^.* I love British accents. And I watch BBC more than anything it seems. And my ex was like half British and he got the lion tattooed on his back alittle off topic but had to say


>>United States Air Force<<

 

It just slides forward and then lifts off cutie...I took mine off our 99 when I did the cabin filter(a super easy task in itself) I am going to remove mine soon again and install the 3 gauge pod on ours.Thinking I may let that black and maybe doing the center piece yellow to match the cars color. I also want a grab bar but apparently the color concept handles are tough to find. The dash surround is easy to remove as well. I just pulled gently toward the steering wheel and it came right off. Mine will be yellow matched as well

 

I just thought I should share what I want painted.. Everything is so worn down lol

And yes I need to do some dusting ^.^


>>United States Air Force<<

 

I really wanna get some pretty paint for my interior like pink or something someone please tell me where I could go to get some or a website?

And I looked up the vinyl dash kits and even saw pictures on here someone posted and I don't like it at all. Doesn't even cover the whole Dan piece


>>United States Air Force<<

 

you can also use la's totally awesome cleaner from the dollar tree to remove the junk. plus it's only a buck. use the stuff that looks like ammonia and good luck.

 

will this paint work?? its by Krylon for plastic

and then i want to top it off with a glitter coat to give it a shimmer.

 

You can use any paint you like. Just make sure you get rid of the rubber stuff first and use a GOOD plastic primer.

Btw, do you actually work for the Air Force or something?

 

Okay thanks

I'm in the process, in DEP right now, (Delayed Enlistment Program).. Waiting for boot camp


>>United States Air Force