jefflamonica

Are the interior wood panels across the dash on my 93 SC300 removable? I know the ones on the doors are, because I've had the panel off and have seen the nuts behind them. I'd like to take them all out and refinish them. The PO put some crappy red carbon fiber tape all over everything. It's old and brittle and flaking off. Tried to peel some off and the stock woodgrain underneath is hosed. Ack! Even if I go back with a better quality applique (wood grain or black carbon), I'd like to do it with them out of the car. The car has a garnet red exterior and gray interior. I have considered refinishing them in satin black, or the exterior paint color, but just across the doors and dash stripe. Anyone else done anything with these panels in their SC? I'd love to see what you did and hear your insights.

I know this is a dumb question, but how do I search for topics in just this forum (SC300/SC400)? The search box in the upper right searches the whole LOC community it seems and still didn't find anything on the search string "interior wood panels". What the heck? Thanks.

Thanks. I understand the wisdom behind your advice. Just trying to keep the wife's car from being out of commission for up to 3 weeks.

I'm new to the forum as we just picked up a 93 SC300 for my wife. Got it for a song, but I have some things to fix up on it, of course. One of those is the notorious instrument cluster lighting (backlights and needles). I found a service in eBay which will do a lighting refurb with two different variations of the needles -- backlight plus full needle lighting $199, backlight plus needle tip lighting $109. Lifetime warranty. Better than replacing the cluster and having to have the odometer corrected too. Now, to the point: I have to ship off my instrument cluster, and it will take 2-3 weeks round trip. Will the car drive without the instrument cluster installed? Yes, I understand the perils of driving it without being able to see speed, temp and fuel level. But, if it will run, I'll drive it for that period, and I only have three miles to work on a country road. :)