Removing Upholstery From Dashboard

[Raymond]

I've always been a drivetrain and suspension guy so interior work is new for me.  I want to replace the MB Tex on the dashboard.  I have the instrument cluster cover removed and I'm asking for suggestions for the best way to remove the old material.  I thought I would use it as a template for cutting the new material out of the raw stock I have ordered.  However, as this is 43 years brittle, that may not be practical.  I really don't want to damage the wooden form. 

Then the question will be, what kind of underlayment is required and what kind of glue should I use for re-assembly?

Or should I just try to find an upholstery shop to take it to?

[zoegrlh]

Raymond,
First, let me ask the question, what model is you car, ie. 30, 250, 280?  As you know there is a difference in the underlay of the dask .  If you have a 280, then the pading is covered in vinal, and you glue leather over it.  For the wood cover over the instrument  panel, you glue direct to wood.  Use 3M Super Trim Adhesive in black spray can.  Now if I remember correctly, the 230s did not have and pading underlay for rest of dask board.
Bob

[Raymond]

Bob,
It's an early 280.  I finally chickened out and took it to a shop with a good reputation for this.  I will try the other pieces later, but as this is the most visible part of the whole interiror, I thought it wasn't the best place for a rookie to start.

[rmmchl]

I advise you not to remove the material covering the the double rounded part that covers the instruments. It is made of some kind of laminated wood that will pull the layers off if you try to do this. It happened to me. I stopped and just covered over it. It worked out very well

[Kopie]

I used brush on contact cement and a heat gun to warm the vinyl which allows it to contour to the shape of the piece and permits some stretching.  I went directly over the existing vinyl.  You would not want to trim it to shape before stretching and cementing as you wouldn't have anything to hold while applying it.  You can easily take an Xacto knife or razor knife and trim it later.