First up on the to-do list was to take out the panel running along the top of the centre of the car – the top of the transmission tunnel. It’s covered in some padded red vinyl that’s a bit too red and looking a little tatty. The panel itself was held in place by just 4 screws but to get it out I had to take the seats out and the gear leaver apart.
Original Covering
Once it was out it was a messy, sticky job to peel the old covering off the aluminium panel, then I had to clean it with white spirit and then sandpaper to get the old adhesive off. There was another small vertical panel in front of the gear lever so I took that off too. I’ve had a USB charging socket to install for about 6 months and this would give me access to the wiring under the dash. Handily there’s a spare socket on the loom for the stereo so I connected into that, and drilled a hole in the panel for the socket.
Underside of the panel.
All cleaned up
Both panels were recovered in 3M 1080 carbon wrap. A fiddly job and it soon became apparent that any surface irregularities in the panel would show through. I’m reasonable happy with the result for a first attempt though. I think a second layer would help and I may add one in the future.
I’ve also changed the oil & filter and taken out the faulty windscreen washer bottle. Originally I suspected a blown fuse but it turned out to be a failed pump. A new bottle is on order as the pump is built into the bottle. Next job is to run the hoover round and get the seats back in.
shropshirewestie 
