Turquoise Dash Pads and Interiors anyone?

[Richard M.]

Re: Turquoise Dash Pads and Interiors anyone?

I had a meeting with Al and Elliot Knoch when I was in Lakeland last week. They both realized that both the dashpad and the soft vinyl materials were too green. This after I showed them the original dashpad piece and the original seat piece.

I gave them a cutoff of both samples, and they will be fabricating new correctly shaded Turquoise interiors for the appropriate years. In the meeting, Al said it will be 6 to 8 weeks for them to tool up for the color changes. AK fabricates ALL of their vinyl in house. I never realized that.

Yesterday I got a message from Elliot that they moved the schedule up and now I could get samples in 4 weeks. If all looks good, we'll have the right stuff soon afterwards. I'll report in here when that happens.

Again, Special thanks to Ed and Wayne as they both went out of their way to get me these valuable samples. You guys helped make this happen and I sincerely thank you.

Rich

[Jill J.]

Re: Turquoise Dash Pads and Interiors anyone?

Hi Rich. I live south of Houston and was planning on purchasing my entire interior items from Al Knoch at the Corvette/Chevy Expo happening this weekend. I called earlier this week to place my order so I could pick it up at the Expo and they informed me of the color issue. I was asked to check their website for updates on when the turquoise interior would be available. I'm placing a post here so I'll be notified when you post the next update so I'll have an idea when the correct color will be available and I can place my order. I'd like to thank you for going the extra mile for meeting with them to ensure the correct color match. I'm restoring my 59 to all original and am strongly considering getting it judged once I've completed my restoration and it's nice to know the color will be a correct match. Thanks again. Jill, 59140

[Richard M.]

Re: Turquoise Dash Pads and Interiors anyone?

Hi Jill,

I am very glad you caught this thread. When I met with Al and Elliot I had a feeling there would not be many calls for the Turquoise and it would not be a priority for them. However, Al told me right up front he wants to make it right. He was very pleased I offered to give him the sample piece cutoffs from the samples I got from Ed and Wayne. Because of this, it looks like you'll be the 2nd customer after me......excellent.

Their plan is to make the new color and get me some samples of the ABS for the dashpad and the vunyl for the soft goods. As soon as I get them I'll post up here and hopefully we'll be all set to get the products soon after that.

I think the samples may be ready in a week or so. I'll check in here when it happens so you'll be up to speed too.

Thanks,
Rich

[Jill J.]

Re: Turquoise Dash Pads and Interiors anyone?

Great, thanks Rich! I really appreciate it.

Jill

[Jill J.]

Re: Turquoise Dash Pads and Interiors anyone?

Hi Rich.

Just checking in to see if you've received any color samples for the turquoise interior from Al Knoch. I also keep checking their website to see if they've posted any updates about the turquoise pieces but haven't seen any new information. Thanks for your time.

Jill

[Richard M.]

Re: Turquoise Dash Pads and Interiors anyone?

Hi Jill,

Just stepping out but I got a update recently......

Their supplier for the raw vinyl pastes is in Boston. Due to bad weather up there this winter and other "unknown" issues, their schedule for samples is delayed to the end of this month.

We're all disappointed, but it looks like we'll have to wait a while longer. That was the original schedule, 8 weeks from late January, so we're back to the original plan now.

Rich

[Richard M.]

Re: Turquoise Dash Pads and Interiors anyone?

I got a call from AK yesterday. Soft vinyl samples are complete and in the mail en-route to me. Dash pad sample TBD.

I repaired, primed, and painted the fiberglass panels recently along with the cluster. The turquoise lacquer was a very good match to original color.


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[Jill J.]

Re: Turquoise Dash Pads and Interiors anyone?

Rich.

Thanks for the update on the vinyl. I can't wait to hear how it matches up. Also, nice job on your fiberglass panels - they look great. Where did you purchase your lacquer paint? Just curious as I'm still shopping around at different places for the lacquer. So far, the best place I've found is TCP Global out of California. If all goes as planned, I should be painting later this summer. Thanks.

Jill

[Richard M.]

Re: Turquoise Dash Pads and Interiors anyone?

Jill, When I get the sample I'll post the photos of the comparison to the original piece I have.

I get all lacquer from TCP Global. Very pleased with their products over the years.

Rich

[Richard M.]

Re: Turquoise Dash Pads and Interiors anyone?

Success........It was a long road, albeit with a few setbacks.

Elliot Knoch has acquired a correct Turquoise soft vinyl. He located a 1959 turquoise arm rest from his "attic". He took it apart and the inside seam was used as a guide. It was a tad darker than the sample I gave them, but he said he felt it was a ideal candidate due to being totally blocked from sunlight exposure over it's lifetime. A supplier in Boston was given the sample of vinyl, and between winter storms and closures, they made it right. It's nowhere near as green as the earlier materials. We gave them the go ahead to supply us a complete interior using this new material. He said they've just acquired 5,000 yards.

Here is what Elliot used as his guide. Below the original seam is the new vinyl.

AK_Armrest_Seam.jpg

Here is a comparison of the vinyl againt the package tray, recently repainted with a near perfect match to original. The small piece is from a seat bottom sample I got from Ed, the large is the new vinyl. Both are very close to the tray color. The right side is what will be produced.

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Now, for the daspad..........Not as easy, but Elliot is convinced it will work as it has for other colors.

The dashpad ABS vinyl in that Turquoise shade sample I gave him is unavailable. He said he will use his dye process, however, it will be painted on BEFORE the heated mold process. He told me the one I first received was a mistake. That one was painted on AFTER the mold process. That's why the color came off in my hand. Elliot assured me that it will NOT rub off.

Schedule is 1 to 2 weeks for the soft vinyl related goods and for the dashpad to arrive.

Rich

[Jill J.]

Re: Turquoise Dash Pads and Interiors anyone?

Hi Rich.

That's GREAT news!!!
As stated before in an earlier post, THANKS again for pursuing this to make sure the color is right.

Now, I can't wait to place my order...

Jill

[Richard M.]

Re: Turquoise Dash Pads and Interiors anyone?

Most of the new Interior has arrived. I am pleased. Kudos to Elliot Knoch and Al Knoch and Company for their efforts and perseverance to make this all happen. Also a special Thank You to Lisa for her help in keeping everything on track with her customer service quality. She is extremely busy handling all CS efforts, but has been able to help make this exercise a success.

The colors now blend together nicely with the hard panels. I now feel Al Knoch Interiors is the only correct "Turquoise" in town. Again, thanks to them, future restorers will have the correct color.

Rich
p.s. Jill, good to go. Order away. I already prepped Lisa and Elliot that you'll be calling in.

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[Bob W.]

Re: Turquoise Dash Pads and Interiors anyone?

Richard great job .Now everyone with turquoise interiors can sleep a little better tonight .again great job.
Bob

[Jill J.]

Re: Turquoise Dash Pads and Interiors anyone?

Looks great Rich!!
And thanks for the update, along with all of your efforts. Very much appreciated!! I will be placing my order soon.



Jill

[Richard M.]

Re: Turquoise Dash Pads and Interiors anyone?

Door panels and kick panels done. I hated this turquoise as it was such a pain to get right. Now I really like it.

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My favorite way to keep the panels from popping off with loose screws. Pricey kit but worth it.
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