<VV> dash pad on 63 spyder

[DSJKLING@sbcglobal.net]

I put one in on my 63 Spyder.  I had a problem with 
the glue.  You must make sure the glue is dry.  It it 
is still gasing off it will lift/bubble the cover 
making the foam backing separate from the vinyl.  It 
is a one shot deal.  Having the windshield out helps 
a lot.  It may help to use something to separate the 
dash from the pad until you have it in position like 
they do with countertop laminate but due to the curve 
it is difficult to get it out.  From what I remember, 
Clark's instructions were a bit vague on how long to 
let the glue dry.  They basically said to put the 
glue on and stick it in place and I found out the 
hard way that the glue has to be really dry to the 
touch without any puddles.  The factory assembly 
manual helps explain where you need to concentrate 
the glue.  It is important to put it only where the 
factory did.  This helps to allow you to slide it 
into place before it contacts the glue and takes a 
set.  I'm about 95 percent happy with the job I did.  
I can see a few places where the glue was still 
gassing off and slightly lifted the vinyl but no one 
else sees it.  That's the problem with doing your own 
restoration, you know where all the imperfections 
are!!  The fit is pretty good, it just looks a tad 
fuller than the factory pad but it definitely looks 
good.

Dan Kling
1961 Greenbrier Deluxe, 4 spd, 3.89, OEM Upholstery
1963 Spyder,  no engine built yet