Delaminating switch panel

Peterv

Peterv

Active Member
Hi All
Has anyone a solution for restoring this panel or can tell me about its construction. I only have the one so scared to play around with it.
Thanks in advance.
Peter20200813_174507 1.jpg
 
Last edited:
You could always strip it down, and use the same wooden laminate you've used to cover the formica..
 
Don't they all look like that? You should have a different, three-pronged green switch in the centre. The interior light and wiper switches are correct. Now I've become a train spotter, or pedantic originality freak! Aaaargh! Sorry. Enjoy your car Peterv! If the look of the panel really bothers you, it can be extricated, dismantled, and the shiny plastic over black plastic replaced. Replicate the lettering, and print on a material which doesn't make those 'weather map' shapes! I would talk to a print shop, see what is possible with digital printing methods these days, and look at possible materials.
 
Chrisw
There's a thought:rolleyes:, but how to lable the controls??? Brother P touch:LOL:
Mrtask
There's a 3 pronged switch?? Bugger, another bit to find and get right....
I do like to get things as original as possible where I can and where I can't, make it look like it could be original.
 
Last edited:
rover-mark-2-int.jpg


Found the above photo on the interwobbles, nicked it off this nice article about the P6 dash. You can see the middle switch. It was a different shape so the driver could identify the switches by their feel, and not have to remove their eyes from the road ahead. I notice the shiny panel in the photo is immaculate, no wiggly blotchy shapes. So they weren't all like mine, and yours, Peter!
 
I am fairly sure that the clear plastic and the backing are separate items. You used to be able to buy the paper/card backing new and just replace it.

I may have one somewhere?

I am sure I bought one once, but it's a long time ago so I might have made this up ;)
 
Ordered a knob off E bay, should be here in a month...(or 6)
Has anyone separated the front and back and reassembled? Are they glued together or separate? There might be a regional lock down imminent so may get some time to experiment...
 
Last edited:
From memory the transparent outer layer is not attached to the black layer with the white lettering beneath. It was pretty simple to remove the whole unit from the car, and equally easy to separate those two layers of facing, or finishing, or whatever they're called! While you're at put new light bulbs in and be amazed how much brighter it gets!
 
Replaced the bulbs already:thumb:, that's what bought this to my attention....I'll pull it to bits and try scanning the backing and print a new one. (prototype) Let you know how it goes...
 
I've nicked this pic off a listing elsewhere for a 1971 2000SC for sale. The switch panel is the same grainy pleather as the rest of the panel. Cigarette lighter and interior lights have swapped position, as have hazard and wiper switches. I think I prefer the faux leather, but not the position of the switch gear.
p6-switches-1971.jpg
 
Wouldn't light up at night also. Has anyone tried colouring in (or coloring for those from foreign lands) the heater knobs?
 
Last edited:
Pulled apart. The glossy on the black sheet is some sort of liquid that can be mostly cleaned with water.20200817_184841.jpg
After much careful polishing with a stage 1 paint polish the clear plastic came up okay although a crack managed to lengthen itself (after it made a run for the floor). o_O The black part with the writing is a clear film with various paint layers, the back light shines through the lettering. Ended up cleaning it with some careful wiping with meths to get a mat finish. Too much and the mat layer comes off and your left with a gloss layer from underneath. Another silk purse...20200817_211621.jpg Waiting for the epoxy glue to dry where one of the electrical terminals screws into the back clear plate had fallen apart when disassembling.
 
Not 'as new' (or anywhere close) but much better than before. I'll make a point to not look to long at it and go do something else. (now on the lookout for 'as new' bits):confused:20200818_185006.jpg
 
You may not remove the packaging. Now you can turn your attention to repainting the white and red shapes on your air control knobs. ;)
Let us know how you get on, and what you use, as I also need to refresh mine!
 
mrtask said:
You may not remove the packaging. Now you can turn your attention to repainting the white and red shapes on your air control knobs. ;)
Let us know how you get on, and what you use, as I also need to refresh mine!
Click to expand...
Similar, I ‘cleaned’ the 123 off the fan control knob - gutted !
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top