Grunt's Papaya HX Sandman 18v 308 4 speed Project

**Grunt** · 04-07-2013, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by Taily

Noice work. I can see the amount of time you've spent there just masking up. I've done a couple of dash fascias now (including my own) and boy, they take some time to get just right. Are you going to install the floor loose or fix it down in some way? In my ute I have a 3mm sheet of sealed MDF that is the right shape for the panel behind the seats, which fits in the front of the ute well with just some out of sight adhesive velcro strips. Sits up off the ute floor enough that any moisture shouldn't worry it - along with some of that compressed grey cloth fibre insulation in behind the vinyl trim behind the seats they both quieten the inside down quite a bit.

Interesting idea with the RTS badge!

Regards,

Dave.

Hey Dave thanks for your comments. I am just letting the floor float, I spent so much time getting it dead straight I dont want to drill into it. I made templates and its a snug fit so hopefully with carpet on the bottom it will protect the finish.

I have lots of sign equipment so I will have a go at the badge and stick it there with blu tac to see how it looks. Im amazed that out of all the dashes to copy the desinger in their wisdom deceided to include the location dimple for a RTS badge when it only appeared on one model, probably some late HX had them but the majority were blank (HJ HX) .... even if you had a HZ you could work out the placement without a location bump so why include it.

As you know the dash surface is textured so I couldnt even sand it out

**thatotherguy** · 04-07-2013, 05:12 PM

Excellent work, its great to see someone doing the majority of the work themselves.Winter is a good time to clean/restore interior trim and vents,dash etc, i take mine inside and clean bits while watching tv

**Grunt** · 04-07-2013, 08:09 PM

Originally Posted by thatotherguy

Excellent work, its great to see someone doing the majority of the work themselves.Winter is a good time to clean/restore interior trim and vents,dash etc, i take mine inside and clean bits while watching tv

Yep agreed, nice in the warm workshop doing all the fiddly jobs

oh yes that reminds me to re do the vents !!

**HK1837** · 04-07-2013, 08:32 PM

Originally Posted by Grunt

Hey Dave thanks for your comments. I am just letting the floor float, I spent so much time getting it dead straight I dont want to drill into it. I made templates and its a snug fit so hopefully with carpet on the bottom it will protect the finish.

I have lots of sign equipment so I will have a go at the badge and stick it there with blu tac to see how it looks. Im amazed that out of all the dashes to copy the desinger in their wisdom deceided to include the location dimple for a RTS badge when it only appeared on one model, probably some late HX had them but the majority were blank (HJ HX) .... even if you had a HZ you could work out the placement without a location bump so why include it.

As you know the dash surface is textured so I couldnt even sand it out

I think you'll find teh plastic was done by the OEM provider to GMH so the design thay had was the final design ie WB so they went with that.

**Grunt** · 04-07-2013, 09:39 PM

Originally Posted by HK1837

I think you'll find teh plastic was done by the OEM provider to GMH so the design thay had was the final design ie WB so they went with that.

thanks for the info, still sad they went for this version.

Also the OEM manufactures quality has certainly gone to the pack over the years, the facia was very rough and needed a lot of work to bring it to an acceptable standard

**jennie285** · 05-07-2013, 09:30 PM

Originally Posted by thatotherguy

Excellent work, its great to see someone doing the majority of the work themselves.Winter is a good time to clean/restore interior trim and vents,dash etc, i take mine inside and clean bits while watching tv

Dishwasher also works wonders on vents etc.

Interested to see grunt restore that fascia. All that effort. Yes I have no idea why rares put that stupid rts raised part, they were only on hz so why not leave it off We have one which came with a dash we bought from eBay had stickers instead of painting Portland grey as well, so it's Back on the shelf and will either be either given to someone or put back on eBay. I have a couple of restored dashes, as spares Absinth did, which will come in handy one day.

**thatotherguy** · 05-07-2013, 11:19 PM

Originally Posted by jennie285

Dishwasher also works wonders on vents etc.

Interested to see grunt restore that fascia. All that effort. Yes I have no idea why rares put that stupid rts raised part, they were only on hz so why not leave it off We have one which came with a dash we bought from eBay had stickers instead of painting Portland grey as well, so it's Back on the shelf and will either be either given to someone or put back on eBay. I have a couple of restored dashes, as spares Absinth did, which will come in handy one day.

i have heard of people putting parts in the dishwasher but doesnt it get too hot?

**Grunt** · 06-07-2013, 12:31 AM

I gad a go tonight at recoing the vents. Cleaning wasnt too bad, fortunately I managed to get my hands on a variety of self adhesive foam tap and found a size that works well, still allows the vent to rotate but holds it nicely in the position you want.

I will post some pics soon now that im dropping her in for spray tomorrow.... YAY and working my way through all the fiddly jobs that need to be done without the vehicle around

**jennie285** · 06-07-2013, 09:43 AM

Originally Posted by thatotherguy

i have heard of people putting parts in the dishwasher but doesnt it get too hot?

I put relief vents in but while they are apart not with the little rubbery bit. Also the a.c vents or dash vents if no a.c, and the seat side pieces. Anything hard plastic has been okay. There is a thread on here under oxbox workshop which shows how to clean certain things, which I put up ages ago when doing the two vans.