Important Details for 50-2033 Dashboard Pad, 74-78 260Z, 280Z

Originality:
The original factory S30 Dashboards were not made by Nissan, but sourced from multiple outside suppliers. Slight inconsistencies and tolerance variations existed from one dash to another. These Dashboard restoration pads mount to your existing Dashboard frame. They give you the ability to adjust the mating surfaces of the new pad, so any inconsistencies from the OE Nissan manufacturers can be rectified. When compared to the original 260Z/280Z Dashboard, these Restoration Dashboard Pads are made of vastly upgraded materials, including the Urethane foam base, as well as the plasticizers and UV Protectors in the Thermal Formed ABS/PVC Vinyl, with 50 years of technology and quality upgrades, providing much longer durability than the original foam and vinyl overlay used in the original "padded" material.

Finishing Details:

These are semi-finished, fresh-out-of-the-mold Thermal Formed Vinyl over Molded Urethane Foam Dash Pads. Due to the inconsistencies that are common in original Dashboards, a pre-finished, pre-drilled part would present many installation problems. It is better to start with the semi-finished pad in order to have the flexibility to get the best match to your Dash Frame, Gauges and Dash Attachments. Regarding color, while all S30 dashes were black, you could line up 100 current cars and have 100 slightly different shades, depending on many factors, including 40+ years of fading. Even cars that have been garaged all their life will see some discoloration. With our pads, it’s your choice. If you like the natural shade of the pad, it does not require paint. You can then pick a paint color and refinish other pieces to match the Dashboard. Or, pick the item you wish to match (like your glove box lid), and a good automotive paint store can supply the paint to color the dash and anything else that you want to paint match (like the console or other trim pieces for instance), with the correct matching shades. See "Color Finishing" below.

Mold Material Finishing:
Burrs and imperfections are a part of every molding process, and may need to be trimmed. They could interfere with the fitment of the pad onto the Dash Frame, or the position of the gauges, and the installation of other items that go "into" the Dash pad & frame. High quality Urethane foam material is easily trimmed. Extra material is molded around openings to ensure a good fit to the other Dashboard pieces.

Hole Drilling/Port Opening:
While the ports for the five main gauges and two end vents are already open as part of the mold, other ports will require cutting/drilling to fit instruments or switches as needed (Note: This was also true of the factory Nissan replacement Dashboards). This includes the port (below & right of) the Tachometer, as well as the dual ports below the left end vent. Holes are also (wisely) not pre-drilled for the screw attachment of Dashboard "insert" pieces, like the Glove Box or Heater Control Panel/Map Light, Dash Emblem, and mounting brackets. Remember that no additional hardware is required, you will re-use all the original fasteners.

Final Finishing:
With all parts of this type of construction, they may have some small level of shade variation in the surface. See "Color Finishing" below for details.

Color Finishing:

We contacted the premiere interior paint company and asked for their professional recommendations for these specific Dashboard Pads. With all orders we will include a tech sheet detailing all of those pro prep and paint recommendations. While painting is not required, if you choose to, from shade matching to custom interior color schemes, we've got the definitive choices of what you'll need to get the results you want.

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