'66 Coupe interior wood removal -- attack from the rear?

[Oneof514@xxxxxxx]

You may be able to push the wood panels out from the back - without drilling new holes.  Most of the pieces have holes already in them - for the radio and antenna controls - for the glove box door lock, etc.  The holes in the wood veneer panels generally don't line up, exactly with the holes in the pot metal.  Their is generally some overlap.  The glue that holds the wood veneer panels to the pot metal appears to be contact cement.  On my car, this glue was very dry, and I was able to "pop off" the veneered panels by pushing the panel from the backside, where the two panels overlapped.  I didn't need a solevant.

 

I was able to remove all the sheet metal (with wood veneer glued on) without damage.  However, the wood on my dash needed to be replaced, since some of the wood was damaged beyond repair.  If your wood is all in good shape, and merely needs to be refinished.  I think you can leave it attached to the pot metal, but merely remove the pot metal from the dashboard.   The mild refinishers that will remove the old wood finish, will not hurt the pot metal.

 

Wayne Jorgensen

1966 Convertible