Early (wood fascia) ashtray disassembly HELP!

[mundo-kombi]

Hi Guys.

As you can see my ashtray is a little rusted up. I'd like to disassemble it, removing the wood facia so that I can acid dip the ashtray itself.

I'm in a panic that I'll be the first person in nearly 60 years to break this hard-to-find original item.

Underneath the handle I can see two rubber, what I presume are nut covers. They are pretty solid and don't want to come off easily. Shall I just pry away?

This is from 301914, the majority of its individual parts all being dated 05/1965.

Thanks.

[julerb]

Are those little bolt heads I can see in first picture inside on the front? I think that is how the later are held on.

[mundo-kombi]

Are those little bolt heads I can see in first picture inside on the front? I think that is how the later are held on.

Hi. There are no bolts heads inside the ashtray. Below the handle, on the outside, there are two rubber caps. I presume these cover two nuts/bolts that hold the wooden fascia to the steel ashtray. Before I try to lever these off, I want to make sure I'm doing the right thing. They're brittle and will likely break up the moment I apply some pressure the them. So I'd rather not touch them unless necessary.

I'd also like to remove the chrome part too, but again, would like to get someone's experience before i get rough with it. If I try to lever that out, it'll certainly bend.

Anyone done this? Got any tips?

I see a guy on ebay is selling a complete dash trim set and he's managed to separate the wood fascia from the ashtray without breaking anything.

[bob joyce]

those are black speed nuts
with very thin screwdriver or exacto knife
ply up while twisting off

[mundo-kombi]

Thanks. They were indeed speednuts. I was able to get underneath them with a Stanley knife blade before levering them off with a small screwdriver. And after bending up some tabs on the inside, I could lift out the chrome piece too. Not it's totally disassembled and ready for a little acid bath. I'll report back when ready for paint.

Cheers!