[HWYSTR455]

So was going to replace my wood grain inserts on the console top and shift plate, and very carefully removed the aluminum inserts the 'stickers' attach to. Got them off fairly easily with heat. Now there's the stickers, which I need to get off the inserts.

Are those available? I can't seem to find them? I see them for other years in the Ames catalog, but no 70-72 inserts?

The glue from the woodgrain stickers have become one with the woodgrain image itself, and the plastic portion of the sticker if brittle. It's going to take hours to remove them, unless someone has a good way of doing this? What, soak it in WD-40 or something?

The console top insert has a slight arch to it, length-wise, so can't get too aggressive with it. Any tips on this one guys? If they were available, I would just spring for new ones. Maybe I'm not looking in the right place?

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[Kurt L71S]

for the console forward 1969-72 SWIRLED CONSOLE INSERT: https://secure.amesperf.com/qilan/De...A&web_access=Y


for the Shift plate 1969-72 SWIRLED SHIFTER INSERT, 3-SPEED AT: https://secure.amesperf.com/qilan/De...A&web_access=Y

Kurt

[HWYSTR455]

Originally Posted by Kurt L71S

for the console forward 1969-72 SWIRLED CONSOLE INSERT: https://secure.amesperf.com/qilan/De...A&web_access=Y


for the Shift plate 1969-72 SWIRLED SHIFTER INSERT, 3-SPEED AT: https://secure.amesperf.com/qilan/De...A&web_access=Y

Kurt

Those are just the 'stickers', I've got the carbon fiber ones. You can't stick it right to the chromed parts, there's a piece of aluminum sheet metal, with 2 sided adhesive foam, that you stick the 'sticker' to, then to the chrome parts.

If you're looking at the catalog, they make them for '67s, it's on page 64 & 65, called 'Console Insert Backing Plates'. They also make the 'Dash Insert Backing Plates'.

https://secure.amesperf.com/qilan/De...A&web_access=Y

As I mentioned, I've already separated the inserts from the chrome pieces, but the wood grain is infused on them, and instead of cleaning them, would prefer to buy new ones. You can't put the stickers over what's there, because the edges are raised from age, and the new piece wouldn't sit flat.


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['ol Pinion head]

Mike, on the '69-72 A-body auto consoles doesn't the console insert in the front have a stepped edge on it, and it's all one piece? I prob have a rough console I can disassemble to confirm.

As far as other consoles go, the '67 LeMans & GTO consoles use a flat piece of thin steel that kicks up right in front of the console lid, the woodgrain decal then is carefully applied to the thin steel plate. Years ago, I had a small cutoff sheet of thin sheetmetal bent by local friend who owns a heat & air company. then I scribed lines and spent quite a bit of time with the Dremel cutoff wheels and small belt sander to make half a dozen of the '67 thin steel pieces. Had to have them as had several original '67 consoles that were missing the thin steel piece or had a rusty ragged edge on the piece.

[HWYSTR455]

Yeah, I'm the 3rd owner of the 71 LeMans Sport, I got it with 68k miles, and know it's unmolested when I got it. It has the backing plates, I removed them.

At one point I was under the impression it was only used on the dash, because the one dash 'strip' is ribbed, and the aluminum backing plate allowed the decal/wood grain, or machine swirled decal to stick. But as I was trying to remove the decal from the console plate, I noticed there was a backing plate on there, was careful, and able to remove both of them without damage.

The step is actually in the console itself, on the edge that surrounds the plate/insert.

Like I said, both the forward console insert, and the backing plate or the shift bezel, have the decal fused to them due to age and sun. It's not going to be fun to clean those up, and if they deform at all, they will not sit properly in the two bezels/inserts.

I will post some pics maybe so I can show what I'm talking about. Wonder if I could just stick it straight to the inserts without the backing plates, since it isn't ribbed? There is some minor surface imperfections though, so would hate to booger it up. Not so much because of the cost of the decals, more so for the fact I would have to do it again. (time loss)
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[CraigGT37]

i removed the woodgrain covered incerts from my console trim also. I tried to cover just the trim pieces with some carbon fiber decals also. They look ok, but would look way better on the thin metal pieces.

[Forrest]

Those inserts are steel.. at least on the dozen or so that I have and have done.. I used a 40-60 grit da sander to remove the decal..or if just the edges are rough you might be able to sand them smooth. I tried every other way even sandblasting.( don't do that! the metal will warp)..anyway it would be great if they reproduced those plates..

[HWYSTR455]

Dang. That's what I was afraid of. Wonder if I can just get it hot with a heat gun? Think soaking it in WD40 would help at all?

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[HWYSTR455]

Anyone know where to source the foam 2-sided sticky stuff? In sheets?


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[Forrest]

No need for the 2 sided foam.. just sand the thin metal insert down and glue the metal insert back on the chromed insert then stick the new decal on.. good to go!

[Paul E]

I just ran into this also and could not find the metal backing pieces even called a few vendors. I am going to prime and then Hydrodip a burled wood finish on the console pieces and also the dash instead of using the decals. I did also look at thin veneer but will try the hydrodip first. Yes this will require a lot of taping and then a good clear coat. Will be a month or so and I will do pictures

Paul

[Forrest]

I actually used these once and they were really good.. they are a "plastic vinyl" and are thicker than others.. parts place has them ebay link.. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1969-72-GTO...kAAOSwmtJXVgAR another option is to get a piece of thick vinyl from a fabric/hobby store and use your metal plate for a guide to cut it..glue it in place of the metal plate.. then apply the wood grain "decal".. that works also..so many choices..good luck with what ever you do..that's about it for me!

[Kurt L71S]

Originally Posted by HWYSTR455

Those are just the 'stickers', I've got the carbon fiber ones. You can't stick it right to the chromed parts, there's a piece of aluminum sheet metal, with 2 sided adhesive foam, that you stick the 'sticker' to, then to the chrome parts.

If you're looking at the catalog, they make them for '67s, it's on page 64 & 65, called 'Console Insert Backing Plates'. They also make the 'Dash Insert Backing Plates'.

https://secure.amesperf.com/qilan/De...A&web_access=Y

As I mentioned, I've already separated the inserts from the chrome pieces, but the wood grain is infused on them, and instead of cleaning them, would prefer to buy new ones. You can't put the stickers over what's there, because the edges are raised from age, and the new piece wouldn't sit flat.


.

These are not just stickers...they are aluminum with the swirls in them. They are the same as the ones you removed. They will adhere to the chrome plates on the console....both front and shifter...let me know if you need photos.... or you can look at my build thread...From what you are explaining, these are just what you need....

[HWYSTR455]

Originally Posted by Kurt L71S

These are not just stickers...they are aluminum with the swirls in them. They are the same as the ones you removed. They will adhere to the chrome plates on the console....both front and shifter...let me know if you need photos.... or you can look at my build thread...From what you are explaining, these are just what you need....

So you're saying the swirled aluminum ones are not stickers, and are actual metal? Wondered why they were more expensive. It's not flimsy thin? What kind of adhesive is on the backs of them, like a foamy type peel-off thing? That will allow it to stick on a certain amount of uneven surface?

I went over your build thread, didn't see the step of actually being installed, but was breezing over it kind of quick. Do you know the post number? I would be interested in more info/pics.

Would be kind of a shame to get those just to put the stickers over them, but the surfaces of both the forward insert and shifter plate is not smooth, and would be better with the backing plates.

I put the backing plates in thick plastic bags and sprayed them down with penetrating oil, they are soaking while I'm out of town. Hoping when I get back I can recover the plates, going to try I can clean them up, but it's a long shot.

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[Kurt L71S]

You can forget the backing plates..."can them" The new ones come with backing plates and 3M adhesive attached...Just get the plates as clean as you can. I used Carb Cleaner....it tends to make things stick some better.

Attach and admire!

[HWYSTR455]

I've got a carbon fiber dash insert, wanted to use the matching ones on the console. But if my backing plates don't clean up good, I will get those, and stick the carbon fiber on them.

[HWYSTR455]

Well, here's some pics of the backing plates, I did get them cleaned up pretty good.

I soaked them in WD40 to remove the glue, it didn't loosen the stickers tho.

I ended up using a heat gun, got it somewhat hot, and peeled the plastic cover of the decals off. That left the print behind, which I just used acetone to wipe off.

The edges were a little rusty, so hit that with some 600 grit, cleaned up good.

You can see the arch in the forward backing plate, it's not flat.

Anyway, not sure how I'm going to move forward, probably try putting the stickers straight on the shifter plate and forward plate, since they are at best driver quality, see how it turns out. If I don't like it, I will get some more decals, new shifter plate, and send the forward plate out for rechroming. Then use the backing plates on the new stuff.

Will post pics of the decals directly on the inserts as soon as I get the new decals, the ones I have don't match the carbon fiber insert on the dash, so am waiting for the new ones to get here...


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