How Can You Patch a Cut-Up Radio Panel on a '62? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

62ShortStep · 11-07-2010, 01:35 PM

I have this '62 that was generally restored several years ago and I'm working on making it as stock as possible. The dash is painted and looks pretty good. Unfortunately the guy cut the radio panel to install his cheap-o radio and it looks like #$^%$&.

I want to put the original radio back, but I don't want to launch into a major project for the dash (I'll do it right at some point in the future). I have two thoughts on how to fix it for now:

1) I could buy a radio patch panel and cut it to end up with a piece that covers the entire radio recess of the existing panel. It makes life easy to create the radio cut outs, but it would be tough to exactly match the existing panel without showing gap lines. Painting it would be a problem also because I'm not sure I could exactly match the existing paint, or I would have to paint it contrasting white.

2) I could make some flat sheet metal pieces that cover the cut-up sections. They would probably have to be painted white.

These are my ideas at this point, but I hope there are better alternatives out there. Has anyone been able fit a correct radio back into a cut-up panel without doing a complete weld and repaint?

Martin64 · 11-07-2010, 01:59 PM

A factory "radio delete" plate will cover the whole thing and look stock for a truck that didn't come with a radio. Easy to paint and easy to install and will look great until you decide to do something more permanent.

62ShortStep · 11-07-2010, 02:05 PM

I tried a delete plate but two screw holes show just outside the left and right edges of the plate.

Demmit_Hemmit's 65 · 11-07-2010, 02:52 PM

Just put 2 chrome head screws into the holes for now.......................Hemmit

ConnDemned · 11-07-2010, 03:18 PM

There is a radio, heater, ash tray, dash repair panel. Might even find one in the parts board. Or weld up the two holes and use the delete plate.
Posted via Mobile Device

willyp · 11-07-2010, 04:33 PM

not sure how bad your dash got hacked up, mine was cut for the same reason and when i installed the OE am radio i found at a junk yard i had 1/8 to 1/4 gaps around the face. i made a small trim piece out of some sheet metal.

**Dan in Pasadena** · 11-07-2010, 08:39 PM

WillyP, that looks excellent. What color is you truck/dash?
Posted via Mobile Device

nachodog2 · 11-07-2010, 08:49 PM

ConnDemned is right. You can fix it with a replacement panel as long as ur welding is up to par. If not the surround is not a bad idea.
Posted via Mobile Device

62ShortStep · 11-07-2010, 11:27 PM

WillyP, your fix looks great! My cut-up section goes all the way into the knobs. Ugh.

Patch panels are still out for now since I'm not welding on a really good dash (except for that blink'n radio section).

If all else fails, a small flat patch plate put under a delete plate may work...

11-07-2010, 01:35 PM	#1
62ShortStep Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Fountain Valley, CA Posts: 179	How Can You Patch a Cut-Up Radio Panel on a '62? I have this '62 that was generally restored several years ago and I'm working on making it as stock as possible. The dash is painted and looks pretty good. Unfortunately the guy cut the radio panel to install his cheap-o radio and it looks like #$^%$&. I want to put the original radio back, but I don't want to launch into a major project for the dash (I'll do it right at some point in the future). I have two thoughts on how to fix it for now: 1) I could buy a radio patch panel and cut it to end up with a piece that covers the entire radio recess of the existing panel. It makes life easy to create the radio cut outs, but it would be tough to exactly match the existing panel without showing gap lines. Painting it would be a problem also because I'm not sure I could exactly match the existing paint, or I would have to paint it contrasting white. 2) I could make some flat sheet metal pieces that cover the cut-up sections. They would probably have to be painted white. These are my ideas at this point, but I hope there are better alternatives out there. Has anyone been able fit a correct radio back into a cut-up panel without doing a complete weld and repaint? Last edited by 62ShortStep; 11-07-2010 at 01:37 PM.

11-07-2010, 01:59 PM	#2
Martin64 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Yuma, Az Posts: 477	Re: How Can You Patch a Cut-Up Radio Panel on a '62? A factory "radio delete" plate will cover the whole thing and look stock for a truck that didn't come with a radio. Easy to paint and easy to install and will look great until you decide to do something more permanent. __________________ Martin Gibson USAF Retired 1964(-ish) C10

11-07-2010, 02:05 PM	#3
62ShortStep Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Fountain Valley, CA Posts: 179	Re: How Can You Patch a Cut-Up Radio Panel on a '62? I tried a delete plate but two screw holes show just outside the left and right edges of the plate.

11-07-2010, 02:52 PM	#4
Demmit_Hemmit's 65 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Peru, Indiana Posts: 741	Re: How Can You Patch a Cut-Up Radio Panel on a '62? Just put 2 chrome head screws into the holes for now.......................Hemmit

11-07-2010, 03:18 PM	#5
ConnDemned Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Spanaway, WA Posts: 103	Re: How Can You Patch a Cut-Up Radio Panel on a '62? There is a radio, heater, ash tray, dash repair panel. Might even find one in the parts board. Or weld up the two holes and use the delete plate. Posted via Mobile Device

11-07-2010, 04:33 PM	#6
willyp Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Houston TX Posts: 362	Re: How Can You Patch a Cut-Up Radio Panel on a '62? not sure how bad your dash got hacked up, mine was cut for the same reason and when i installed the OE am radio i found at a junk yard i had 1/8 to 1/4 gaps around the face. i made a small trim piece out of some sheet metal. Attached Images __________________ The price of cool aint cheap.

11-07-2010, 08:39 PM	#7
Dan in Pasadena Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Glendora, CA Posts: 6,344	Re: How Can You Patch a Cut-Up Radio Panel on a '62? WillyP, that looks excellent. What color is you truck/dash? Posted via Mobile Device

11-07-2010, 08:49 PM	#8
nachodog2 Hell yeah!!! Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: canyon country Ca. Posts: 264	Re: How Can You Patch a Cut-Up Radio Panel on a '62? ConnDemned is right. You can fix it with a replacement panel as long as ur welding is up to par. If not the surround is not a bad idea. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ Stock is good but custom is the sh*t!

11-07-2010, 11:27 PM	#9
62ShortStep Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Fountain Valley, CA Posts: 179	Re: How Can You Patch a Cut-Up Radio Panel on a '62? WillyP, your fix looks great! My cut-up section goes all the way into the knobs. Ugh. Patch panels are still out for now since I'm not welding on a really good dash (except for that blink'n radio section). If all else fails, a small flat patch plate put under a delete plate may work...



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