Defrost vent opening beautificaton?

[usury]

Last summer, I re-covered my stereotypically-cracked dash (as well vinyl paint the light colored portion of the dash and door cards with wonderful results).

Aside from the smell of the contact adhesive - which is truly powerful - it wasn't super difficult.

However, the material lining the defrost vent openings along the windshield hasn't remained well adhered.

Does anyone make/sell some kind of plastic clip/grommet to surround the vent holes for general "make it pretty" purposes?

I don't have pics of the new vinyl lifting away from the vent holes, but I do have a a few pics of me being really darn proud of finally taking care of the dash cracks.

PXL_20220724_025901671.jpg (110.99 KiB) Viewed 1041 times

PXL_20220802_153733432.jpg (130.9 KiB) Viewed 1041 times

[blueline]

Last summer, I re-covered my stereotypically-cracked dash (as well vinyl paint the light colored portion of the dash and door cards with wonderful results).

Aside from the smell of the contact adhesive - which is truly powerful - it wasn't super difficult.

However, the material lining the defrost vent openings along the windshield hasn't remained well adhered.

Does anyone make/sell some kind of plastic clip/grommet to surround the vent holes for general "make it pretty" purposes?

I don't have pics of the new vinyl lifting away from the vent holes, but I do have a a few pics of me being really darn proud of finally taking care of the dash cracks.

It looks great! (Or at least it did when you took the pics.)

Maybe Tom can fashion some 3D printed inserts that would do the job? The slots/holes look to be different sizes which might create headaches but maybe the slot configuration is more or less standardized across at least a few models and years. If so, I would imagine that there are others who would benefit.

[Tom]

Believe it or not, someone makes a panel to deal with exactly that issue. See it here:

https://www.classic9leathershop.com/def ... im-944-968

And someone else designed 3D print inserts and posted them on Thingiverse. I rarely use thingiverse parts, as the quality of design tends to be all over the map, but worth a try before spending hours designing your own... If you need help, let me know!

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5048367

[usury]

Believe it or not, someone makes a panel to deal with exactly that issue. See it here:

https://www.classic9leathershop.com/def ... im-944-968

Excellent! That's the kind of thing I'm looking for. Thank you.

FYI, I could have done the following Google search...

https://www.google.com/search?q=Porsche ... vent+cover

Kinda forgot how to Internet today.

[Macman45]

Believe it or not, someone makes a panel to deal with exactly that issue. See it here:

https://www.classic9leathershop.com/def ... im-944-968

And someone else designed 3D print inserts and posted them on Thingiverse. I rarely use thingiverse parts, as the quality of design tends to be all over the map, but worth a try before spending hours designing your own... If you need help, let me know!

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:5048367

Tom is on it! I tried the STLs here on Thingiverse and they are too short / no angled pieces... I started a thread to try and remedy that.

[Tom]

There are 5 separate files for those vents in that Thingiverse post. Are you sure you're putting that piece in the right slot?

[Macman45]

There are 5 separate files for those vents in that Thingiverse post. Are you sure you're putting that piece in the right slot?

Haha yes. Some fit ok. But 4 of the 10 holes are larger than any of the 5 types. And none of the 5 have a tapered angle / no chance of fitting that last outer spot. I think it’s a retrofitted 928 trim file.

[j.samper]

So, I started recovering dashes, and my main problem was exactly this. I got a Classic 9 insert from another Porsche enthusiast that we made some parts for, but I hated the fitting, the holes did not matc, they had to be drilled etc, etc. May be I am too anal on some things but I did come up with a part that we will be using and have available for anyone who needs to refurbish or has already refurbished their dash.
My metal part is water jet cut, and can be painted to match. It attaches with tabs that work as clips to keep both the part and the vinyl in place.

I am in FL, and thus we need a/c 9 months a year. With the separation of the vinyl, the air is routed differently than oem, and gives you spots of mist in the windshield (outside, which make me crazy).
So here it is, if anyone is interested.

IMG_20230719_091414614.jpg (2.4 MiB) Viewed 893 times

This shows one in stainless and one already painted and installed.

IMG_20230719_091404281.jpg (2.29 MiB) Viewed 893 times

This shows a detail of the tabs.

IMG_20230719_091349196.jpg (2.04 MiB) Viewed 893 times

[usury]

@j.samper, how can I buy this? This is exactly the thing I need.

I wasn't looking forward to removing my already-installed dash enough to drill holes for the "Classic 9".

[j.samper]

@j.samper, how can I buy this? This is exactly the thing I need.

I wasn't looking forward to removing my already-installed dash enough to drill holes for the "Classic 9".

Yes, this you can bend the tabs with the dash installed (a little tricky, but can be done) using the tools for hose removal that most of us already have.
I do not have a price set yet, but if you are willing to paint, use and give me feedback, just pay shipping.