VIN tag and mastic question....

[440]

Should I remove my VIN tag if farming out my dash frame for a chemical dip and paint? I have NOS rosette rivets but don't really want to remove the tag from the frame. On the other hand if the tag gets damaged, eaten or lost that would be even worse.....  

Were all vin tags black regardless of interior color ?

Did the factory use mastic between the firewall and dash frame where they meet ?

 RJ

[Ghoste]

If you are sending it to be dipped you definitely need to remove the tag IMO.

[bill440rt]

Why dip?? Why not have it soda or bead blasted instead? 

VIN tags were always black regardless of interior color.
Not sure what you mean by "mastic". They were held in by a few small bolts up top at the cowl, & two larger ones on each side on the pillars. That's it really. It doesn't really touch the firewall.

[440]

Thanks for the replies.

I suppose some form of media blasting would suffice. There is only light surface rust so removing it shouldn't be difficult. Dipping it would eat the rust in the hard to if not impossible places to reach.

By mastic I mean some sort of sealant sandwiched between the dash frame and top of the cowl. I wouldn't think it necessary as it is behind the windshield rubber, but when I took my dash frame out there was sealant between the frame and cowl. I'm not sure if it's supposed to be there or not.   

  Thanks.

[bill440rt]

Yes, you could re-apply sealer there. Looks like butyl sealer or strip caulk (aka "dum-dum") would work.

[440]

Yes, Butyl Mastic or dum-dum...

But should it be there or not?

It's a bit of extra insurance to keep water out of the cabin if the windshield rubber doesn't seal 100%. I attribute the condition of the reveal clip screws/holes to sealant as every single one came out easily...    

   Regards

[bill440rt]

Unless someone had it out previously, then it looks like it was factory applied.
Put it back.

[resq302]

just going by the orange paint on top of the green paint, I would have to say that someone put it there and it was not factory.

[twodko]

Don't take an unnecessary chance, remove the tag. 

[tan top]

Yes, Butyl Mastic or dum-dum...

But should it be there or not?

It's a bit of extra insurance to keep water out of the cabin if the windshield rubber doesn't seal 100%. I attribute the condition of the reveal clip screws/holes to sealant as every single one came out easily...    

   Regards

yeah originaly put there at the factory also

[440]

I'll put sealer back in when the dash frame goes back in.....

Still leery to remove the vin tag though..   

Thanks.

[richRTSE]

I'll put sealer back in when the dash frame goes back in.....

I think I would wait until the windshield is ready to go in. I believe that is just excess sealer from the windshield, and if you put it in now, it might not let the gasket sit in correctly.    Or if you do put it in, make sure to wipe away any excess.

[el dub]

If your from Calif. you might not want to remove your tag. I think it is illegal. Dont know about other states.

[HANDM]

Couldn't you just pop them out from the backside and simply glue them back in upon assembly 

[440]

I'll put sealer back in when the dash frame goes back in.....

I think I would wait until the windshield is ready to go in. I believe that is just excess sealer from the windshield, and if you put it in now, it might not let the gasket sit in correctly.    Or if you do put it in, make sure to wipe away any excess.

It has to go in before the windshield as the rubber gasket covers the screws that bolt it in - which is why the windshield had to be removed in the first place.

Couldn't you just pop them out from the backside and simply glue them back in upon assembly  

If I had to remove the originals I'd use the NOS Mopar rosette rivets that I have. I prefer not to remove them but like twodko says, I don't want to take an unnecessary chance

[doctor4766]

Mate we're in Straylya.
No one at the pits is gonna bust yer ass for having removed the VIN tag and refitting it.

[FrnkNsteen]

I just got done taking the dash out of my '69. It didn't look as if it had ever been apart on mine, and there was no sealant between the dash and the cowl. Now there was a little over both from where the windshield had been installed, but nothing between the two.

Just my 2 cents! 

[tan top]

I just got done taking the dash out of my '69. It didn't look as if it had ever been apart on mine, and there was no sealant between the dash and the cowl. Now there was a little over both from where the windshield had been installed, but nothing between the two.

Just my 2 cents!  

do you know what i think your right , just went back & re- read the question ! & looks as if i did not read it correctaly  

mine was previously unrestored , & glass had never previously been out !!  , no sealer in there either , but had  some that had been squeezed over the dash frame edge & bolts !!   although i can't be 100% on this it was a good few years back

Yes, Butyl Mastic or dum-dum...

But should it be there or not?

It's a bit of extra insurance to keep water out of the cabin if the windshield rubber doesn't seal 100%. I attribute the condition of the reveal clip screws/holes to sealant as every single one came out easily...    

   Regards

yeah originaly put there at the factory also

so  it might be a case of  ignore that post guys ,  going to wait for my bus   ..