C1 Dash Insert

[Terry B.]

The '60 aluminum dash insert appears to be held in place by 5-6 small brazes on the stainless trim. There doesn't appear to be any signs of heat. Was this possibly done with a soldering iron and low temp material? What process do the vendors use?
What is recommended for the home shop if brazing is not an option? Could one of the JB Weld products be a substitute?

[Ed Jennings]

Re: C1 Dash Insert

Terry, I've done a couple of these by simply snaping the ss trim back in place. Once installed back on the dash, the trim isn't going anywhere. I considered some epoxy or other adhesive, but determined, at least to my own satisfaction, that it wasn't necessary. I would be concerned about potentially damaging the trim with any sort of welding or even silver solder.

[Mark Malone]

Re: C1 Dash Insert

Terry,

This job can be a real pain as it is quite difficult to get the insert and the back plate into the groove of the stainless trim.

Be VERY carefull as the insert is very thin and can be damaged very easily.

As Ed said, once in, it isn't critical to use anything but I did use some sicaflex which is a Swiss(I think)made product which is a VERY strong bonding material just to be sure.

Good Luck, Mark.




My Vette Page

[Dennis A.]

Re: C1 Dash Insert

Terry...

I used JB Weld with great success, The Trim was placed around the Insert and held in place with rubber bands. JB Weld was applied at each braze joint that I cut to remove the old Aluminum Insert. This allowed keeping everything together during and after the installation into the Dash.

[Clark Chapman]

Re: C1 Dash Insert

Hi Terry,

I faced the same dilemma with my 58 insert. Looks as though it was soldered which requires a heavy duty solder iron to adhere to the steel backing. I found that the upper and lower stainless wants to pop out of place as you attempt to snap both completely in place so I used a vise to gently hold these in place and center punched the stainless on the back side just uder the indented lip. It holds very well and won't pop off especially after sandwiched in the dash. Good Luck!

[Terry B.]

Re: C1 Dash Insert

Thanks Dennis.
Is there a particular JB Weld product you recommend?
I have never bought any and there appears to be different types available.