Mustang Interior Restoration

Interior1 004I’ve decided to begin the restoration process with the interior of my Mustang. I’ve ordered all of my parts. I’ve broken down the interior into task based project groups and I’m ready to get started.

Supplies that were used during this phase of the restoration consist of various spay paints including primer, semi flat black, satin clear, dull aluminum and interior paint. I also needed some scotch bright pads, 600 grit sand paper, steel wool shop rags and tools.

Heater core assembly, air vent and controls

Interior1 031

Restoring a Classic Mustang heater box assembly is not that complicated and can be done in an afternoon if you have all of your parts and supplies in order.

Heater core restoration

The heater assembly needs to be taken apart so the housing can be cleaned, painted and have new gaskets installed.

Interior1 033Opening up the heater box is really easy, all you have to do is remove the heater box clamps that hold the assembly housing together; place the tip of a standard screw driver in the slot on the clip and apply a little leverage to remove it.

After the heater box assembly is apart I remove the air flow directional control and then scrape all of the old gaskets off.

If your fortunate enough to have a blast cabinet as I am, you can bead blast the heater assembly to remove old paint and rust and also give the housing a refreshed and consistent look.

Interior1 036Once the heater assembly housings have been cleaned I spray a light coat of clear satin to all surfaces for protection and beautification, after that the housing pieces are taped off in preparation for painting the semi flat black surfaces like the heater door and blower housing.

Now that this Mustang heater assembly looks like a new factory original I need to install new gaskets included with the heater seal kit I ordered. The seal kit comes with illustrations and basic instruction.

Interior1 037  Interior1 040

Interior1 035Heater blower motor

Don’t make this mistake! I wanted to remove the squirrel cage from my heater blower motor.. we’ll I blew this one up, as you can see from the photo the armature shaft is sticking out of the back of the motor housing; the result of using a hammer instead of my head.

Air vent assembly and defroster ducts restoration

Interior1 038Restoring the air vent assembly and defroster ducts is one of the easier tasks to complete, just some cleaning, bead blasting and painting. The air vent cable should be removed from the assembly and restored separately from the vent itself; I needed to preserve the chrome parts of the cable and treat the knob to a fresh coat of polyurethane clear, the air vent and defrost ducts get a light sprits of satin clear to complete the restoration.

Heater controls restoration

Interior1 039

The heater controls will receive new knobs and cables, the rest of the original assembly has to be cleaned up to restore some luster to the control arms; if the control arms are in decent shape you can shine them up using super fine steel wool.

 

Heater Related Parts List

C7ZZ-18519-AK 1967 MUSTANG HEATER CONTROL KNOB SET
C5ZZ-18500-C 65-68 MUSTANG HEATER CORE END CAPS NON AC
C7ZZ-6501934-A 67-68 MUSTANG  AIR VENT ASSEMBLY
C7ZZ-18500-A 67-68 MUSTANG  HEATER SEAL KIT W/OUT AC
C2OZ-6501999 64-68 MUSTANG LH AIR VENT GASKET
C5ZZ-18472-W MUSTANG ORIG HEATER HOSE (WT STRIPE)
372850-S 64-70 MUSTANG DEFROSTER DUCT CLIPS
B5A-18556-C 64-70 MUSTANG DEFROSTER HOSE
C7ZZ-18518-A 67-68 MUSTANG W/O AC HEATER CABLE SET
C5ZZ-18A569-A 64-70 MUSTANG HEATER INLET GASKET
C5ZZ-18471-A 64-70 MUSTANG HEATER CHAMBER PLENUM
C5ZZ8287-8 4-66 67-68 MUSTANG 289 HOSE CLAMP SET 4-66
C5DZ-18476-A MUSTANG HEATER CORE

 


Mustang dash and related

Interior1 001This task based group is set up to cover all of the dash panel related items including the switches and knobs, radio, glove box, ash tray, instrument cluster and dash panels. A large chunk of the dash related items will be new so I won’t be restoring any of those items, they include the dash pad, instrument and radio bezels and knobs.

 

Dash panels

Interior1 008The dash panels will be replaced with a new three piece set, however there is one items that does not come with this set that you may have overlooked as I did; the dash panel emblem. This piece can be cleaned up and restored if its nice enough or you can purchase a new one. The new one is adhesive backed for easy installation. The old one, if I can restore it; has to have the tabs bent over on it.

Instrument panel restoration

I begin the restoration by removing the instrument bezel from the instrument gauge cluster so I can remove the light tubes and instrument lens retaining rings. The cardboard tubes you find inside your old instrument cluster need to be reused along with any rubber ant rattles that you find. The lens retaining rings an be cleaned or repainted so they are as good as new.

Interior1 013  Interior1 014  Interior1 016

 

Interior1 022

After restoring the lens retaining rings I can install the new instrument lens set into the new instrument bezel. You will want to be careful when handling the lenses, they scratch easily and you want to avoid having to clean them.

 

Don’t throw away your old instrument lens set, you may need the clock delete button that goes on the center lens

Interior1 017The instrument gauges themselves may need some cleaning and freshening up. To clean the gauge faces you can use a quality glass cleaner or wax and grease remover along with a soft cloth like a 100% cotton diaper.

The gauge needles almost always need a fresh coat of bright orange paint, find a good match and then take extra care to make sure you don’t get paint where you don’t want it

My Mustang instrument cluster is now as good as new and ready to be installed.

Interior1 023  Interior1 025

Glove box restoration

Restoring the glove box door is the main component of this task. I bead blasted the entire glove box and the glove box hinge, as well as lightly blasting the hardware even though I will probably end up with the complete interior fastener kit. I applied a few coats of black primer, sanded the glove box and then painted it with the correct black metallic charcoal paint; I also used this paint on the new ash tray.

I completed the restoration by installing a new glove box insert, glove box button bezel and glove box latch.

Interior1 011  Interior1 043

Dash Related Parts List

C6OB-62060A12 67-68 MUSTANG GLOVE BOX DOOR BEZEL
C7ZZ-6506010-A 67-68 MUSTANG GLOVE BOX PLASTIC
380239-S 67-70 MUSTANG GLOVE BOX DOOR BUMPER
C5ZZ-14413-A 64-68 MUSTANG GLOVE SWITCH WITH LIGHT
C6DZ-6506072-A 1967-68 MUSTANG GLOVE BOX LATCH
C7ZZ-10838-C 67 MUSTANG INSTRUMENT BEZEL BLACK
C7ZZ-10887-A/C 67-68 MUSTANG INSTRUMENT LENS SETS
C4VY-10B870-B-8 INSTR.PANEL FILTER BLUE SET/8
C7ZZ-6504410-K 67-68 MUSTANG DASH PANEL 3 PIECE SET
C7AZ-15052-K 67-70 MUSTANG CIGARETTE LIGHTER
C4AZ-15055-B 64-70 MUSTANG LIGHTER SOCKET & RET.
C7ZZ-6204810-A 67 MUSTANG DASH ASH TRAY – WONT FIT 68
C8ZZ-18842-AR 67-68 MUSTANG RADIO BEZEL W/O CONSOLE
C0AZ-13763-A 64-66 MUSTANG UNDERDASH LAMP BRACKET
C6OZ-11584-A 67-68 MUSTANG IGNITION BEZEL
C7ZZ-11650-A 67-8 MUSTANG HEADLIGHT SWITCH RETAINER
C7ZZ-10852-A 67-68 MUSTANG LIGHT SWITCH BEZEL
C7ZZ-11661-A 67-8 MUSTANG LIGHT SWITCH KNOB
C7ZZ-11A590-B 67-8 MUSTANG IGNITION SWITCH RETAINER
C7ZZ-6504290-BK 67-68 MUSTANG BLACK DASH PAD-USA
C7ZZ-6504292-BK 67-68 MUSTANG LOWER INST.PANEL PAD-BLK
L-4464 67-73 MUSTANG LACQ MET.BLACK CHARCOAL

Steering Wheel and Related

Interior1 002

This restoration project tackles the steering column and turn signal switch; the steering wheel and steering wheel hub emblem and trim where both backordered at the time and will have to be covered later.

 

Steering column restoration

I completely disassembled the steering column, cleaned and sanded it and then put a fresh coat of primer and painted it with the same black charcoal metallic interior paint I used for the glove box.  The steering shaft itself was cleaned up using a wire wheel.

Interior1 045After letting the paint cure for several hours I set up to reassemble the restored steering column and outfit it with a new turn signal switch.

To install the new turn signal switch I used a trick that many people overlook and its quite simple. Before you try to run the new turn signal switch wires through the column you should run a string or some wire through and then secure the new wires to it to assist in feeding the turn signal wiring into the column.

I needed to refer to the exploded view illustration manual when it came time to reassemble the column.

The new turn signal switch required the use of the old connector, see the Mustang How To article How To Install a Mustang Turn Signal Switch for details on this procedure.

Interior2 002  Interior2 004

Steering Wheel Parts List

C7ZZ-13305-A 67-73 MUSTANG DIRECTIONAL LIGHT LEVER
C7ZZ-13341-F 1967 MUSTANG TURN SIG.SWITCH W/O TILT
C7OZ-17513-A 67 MUSTANG EMERGENCY FLASHER KNOB
C7ZZ-3600-BK 67 MUSTANG BLACK STEERING WHEEL
C7ZZ-13A805-A 67 MUSTANG STANDARD WHEEL HORN RING
C7ZZ-3649/56-K 67 MUSTANG STEERING WHEEL EMBLEM AND TRIM
C6OZ-3564 64-67 MUSTANG STEERING COLUMN/BOX INSULATOR
B5S-3512 65-67 MUSTANG STEERING COLUMN/FLOOR GROMMET
C7ZZ-3513 67-68 MUSTANG STEER COLUMN/FIREWALL SL
L-4464 67-73 MUSTANG LACQ MET.BLACK CHARCOAL

 


Floors – Seat Belts and Shifter

Interior3 001There are only two things on the interior floor of the Mustang that I need to restore, all of the other items where purchased new.

The shifter assembly is one of the parts that I need to restore the other is the seat belts.

 

Shift assembly restoration

Interior3 002The shifter housing and lower selector arm received the bead blast treatment and then got a light dusting of paint to preserve the new finish; then the assembly was completed with all new parts including bushings, selector lever, shift cover, shift handle, indicator lamp and plug.

 

Before I buttoned everything up I made sure that my shifter was adjusted so it works correctly the first time its installed.

Running the adjuster nut up the threads a few times should be done before you install the shift lever into the housing for final adjustment.

Interior3 003   Interior3 004

Seat belt restoration

Interior3 009Mustang seat belts are fairly easy to restore if they are functional and in good condition. Old seat belts typically need a thorough cleaning with a strong cleaner, and the chrome freshened up with a little super fine steel wool.

To restore this set of belts I used a few methods of cleaning including lacquer thinner, degreaser and steel wool. After the belts are dried out they will get some treatments with black vinyl die and a light dusting of clear satin on the seat retractor covers.

Floor Parts List

382627-K 64-73 MUSTANG CHROME SEAT BELT BOLT KT
MUST-6768-C 67-68 MUSTANG FIREWALL INSULATOR KIT
C5ZZ-6513086-BK 65-66 MUSTANG PONY FLOOR MATS BLACK
C7ZZ-65-WS 67-68 MUSTANG WATERSHIELD (COUPE)
CAR65-CP-BK 65-68 MUSTANG COUPE CARPET (BLACK)
UL-CP 64-68 MUSTANG COUPE UNDERLAY KIT 8 PC
C5ZZ-7A133-A 64-73 MUSTANG AUTO SHIFT BUSHING
C5ZZ-7210-A 64-66 MUSTANG AUTO SHIFT LEVER
C5ZZ-7370 65-66 MUSTANG TRANS SHFT HOUSNG SEAL
C7ZZ-7D394-P 67-68 MUSTANG CONCOURSE SHIFT COVER ASY
52720-SK 64-68 MUSTANG AUTO SHIFT COVR SCREW KT
1893 64-73 SMUSTANG HIFT INDECATOR RADIO BULB
C8OZ-7213-BK 67-73 MUSTANG DLX SHIFT HANDLE BLACK
C7ZZ-15A808-A 67-68 MUSTANG SHIFTER LAMP W/O CONSOLE
C5ZZ-7C147-B 65-73 MUSTANG SHIFT POD BOLT PLUG

 


Mustang Seats

ReceivingParts 010

There is not a whole lot that I can do to the seats other than restore the seat tracks and get all of the new hardware together. I could install the new seat cushions and seat upholstery but I have decided to sub it out to a professional.

 

Seat Track Restoration

I was contemplating bead blasting the seat track assemblies, but decided it was best to prepare them with a wire wheel. The seat adjuster knob should be taped up and protected from the wire wheel unless you want to purchase new pieces.

After a run on the wire wheel and a degreaser cleaning I painted the seat tracks with semi flat black paint. The adjuster knobs were re-taped prior to painting; after the paint cured the adjuster knobs get a coat of clear urethane.

Interior3 006    Interior3 007

Mustang seats parts list

C7ZZ-65616167MK 1967 MUSTANG SEAT SIDE SHIELD MNT KIT
373249-S 65-73 MUSTANG SEAT HINGE WASHER
352358-SK 64-70 MUSTANG SEAT RETAINER CLIP SET
C5ZZ-6561692/3B 64-67 MUSTANG SEAT HINGE COVERS BLK PR
67CP-S-FULL-BK 67 MUSTANG STD. UPHOLSTERY (BLACK)
C1DZ-6461643 65-67 MUSTANG SEAT BACK ADJ. KIT
C7ZZ-6560050/1S 67 MUSTANG STD. SEAT CUSHION’S

Interior Trim

Interior1 003This task does not involve a lot of restoration or assembly of any kind, just some time, effort and some painting.

I really only have two items to restore; the interior quarter panels and the dash pad trim panels. Both of these items should be stripped of existing paint, if you only sand the quarter panels and do not strip the paint you may begin to loose the grain pattern with every additional coat of new paint.

Interior1 005  Interior1 006

Interior trim parts list

KIT-67Z-65A 1967 MUSTANG COUPE STD INT FASTNER KIT
B2A-7029025-A 64-66 MUSTANG CV & 67 CP COAT HOOKS
C5ZZ-6546656 64-68 MUSTANG PACKAGE TRAY
C5ZZ-6513208-BP 65-68 MUSTANG CONCOURSE REPRO DR SILL
C7ZZ-6513208-T 67-73 MUSTANG DOOR SILL SCUFF TAG
HL-CP-PAD 64-68 MUSTANG HDLINER INSULATION PAD CP
HL-FM-CP-65-BK 65-70 MUSTANG COUPE HEADLINER BLACK
C5ZZ-6552136/7 65-68 MUSTANG HEADLINER PILLAR TRIM SET
C7ZZ-6504104-BK 67-68 MUSTANG CP/FB SUNVISOR (BLACK)
C7AZ-6204144-A 67-70 MUSTANG SUN VISOR BRACKET & ROD
D1DZ-6204115-A 64-73 MUSTANG SUN VISOR TIPS
C5ZZ-6502906-BK 64-68 MUSTANG WINDLACE BLACK
C5ZZ-6545728 64-68 MUSTANG REAR SEAT DIVIDER
C7ZZ-17690-A 67 MUSTANG INSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR ARM
C7ZZ-17700-A 67 MUSTANG DAY/NIGHT R/V MIRROR
C7ZZ-65023445BK 67-68 MUSTANG CP&FB KICK PANELS-BLACK
C7ZZ-6503598-BK 67-68 MUSTANG W/S PILLER PAD R.H. BLK.
C7ZZ-6503599-BK 67-68 MUSTANG W/S PILLER PAD L.H. BLK.
L-4464 67-73 MUSTANG LACQ MET.BLACK CHARCOAL

5 thoughts on “Mustang Interior Restoration

  1. where did you get the needle gauge paint at?
    Abel Medrano Jr — March 23, 2009 5:26 PM

    You can purchase the paint from a place called Hi-Po Parts
    JoeResto — March 23, 2009 6:00 PM

    What is a easy way to install the chrome that goes underneath the dash pad on a 65 coupe? Also the metal trim that sits under the window? HELP!!!
    JP — January 29, 2011 7:12 AM

    Hey, first of all thanks so much for your site… I have found it very helpful on numerous occasions.
    I have a question regarding the painting of your interior trim and quarter panels… I have a 68 fastback with what seems to be black interior. I have just bought new interior panels and I understand that the lower dash, steering column, glove box, etc., get the charcoal black metallic paint. Do I also paint the interior trim and quarter panels the same charcoal black metallic? Or are they supposed to be left the way they come- black. What is correct?
    Please help.
    Thank you!
    Michael Spellman — June 25, 2011 12:58 AM

    Michael Spellman,
    Your interior color is Black Charcoal Metallic; Vinyl and plastic parts would get coated with vinyl die # V-4464, Metal and fiberglass parts would get coated with lacquer interior paint # L-4464.
    You should prep the fiberglass parts by cleaning them well and then scuffing them with a red scotch-brite pad that you can pick up at the local auto paint supply house.
    JoeResto — June 27, 2011 12:32 PM

    when installing door windows, handles and weatherstripping, how and in which order do we proceed?
    george tupper — July 18, 2011 5:18 PM

    George,
    I would install the door handles first and get all of the rods hooked up, then install the window glass; be sure to remove the lower window stopper at the bottom of the door so you can gain a few more inches with the down position of the window glass, this will allow you to install the window channel strips without interference from the window frame.
    JoeResto — July 22, 2011 10:08 AM

    I have a 65 convertible that has had the door interior painted so many times I can hardly seen the grain pattern. How do I strip these down so they can be repainted? I want to save the grain pattern! Is there a way to recreate the grain?
    Dave Rodak — August 2, 2011 3:26 PM

    Dave,
    layers of paint on your door interior surface should be removed with a paint stripper or you can have them blasted with a light media like glass bead or soda. If you do it yourself you should take care not to scrape the surface with a metal putty knife or similar object. Paint remover works great for breaking down those layers, then follow up with a fine brass wire wheel and then finish with a lacquer thinner and scotch-brite pad.
    JoeResto — August 3, 2011 9:56 AM

    Regarding removing of old paint from interior panels. I found a graffitti and paint remover in a spray bottle at the Lowe’s hardware that works pretty good. It is also biodegradable, so not so harsh. If you spray on and lay paper towels over the spray, and then soak the towels with spray and let sit for some length of time, the paint crackles up and can be practically wiped off with another towel. At least it did on my interior panels.
    Keith Barnes — August 11, 2011 6:52 PM

    Do you have any tips for gluing the metal heater panel in on a 68 mustang with deluxe interior?
    Robert Bursell — December 2, 2011 2:10 PM

    Hey I was wondering if you had any tricks for forming the new rubber firewall seal onto the steering column
    ben — December 28, 2011 1:27 PM

    Help trying to paint dash on 68 fastback and paint keeps lifting what to do??
    butch kernes — March 6, 2012 5:28 PM

    I have a 67 coupe and I got it recently but the last owner left the window rolled down outside for 10+ years and the dash has been rotted out to the left of the steering column, should I try to fabricate something or should I just get a new dash, which would be easier? I also have a rotted out frame in the front and a very holy rusty roof panel. any ideas? and do you have a floor pan video?
    Josh — October 6, 2012 7:59 AM

    I have a 65 Mustang. The three bolts holding the fresh air vent on the drivers side have broke off. Can I get to them if I remove the front fender and replace them?
    Allen C — November 9, 2012 8:32 PM

    any pointers on how to install upholstery on interior quarter panels? I was told to fold over edges and secure by using spray adhesive. It seems to me that folded over material would interfere with the up and down movement of the quarter window.
    Rick Crawford — March 22, 2013 1:12 PM

    Hey, great site, lots of details, I’m just starting a 67 convertible that has not see light since 1975 so thanks for the good tips.
    Marc Auger — May 7, 2013 5:23 PM

    Hi-
    I have a 1967 Convertible Mustang. I need help. it was my fathers and I have just let it sit for years in a garage because I do not know what to do. He told me not to get rid of it and the Karma Ghia. I think it is now time to do something. How much does a restoration cost?. The convertible roof looks okay. I never even turned the engine on? It needs some care but it is not as bad a I seen others ones. They interior needs side panels on one side. he use to drive it until he could not drive anymore. Do I have to do something first to even see if it works. I need to place a battery in it. Help I am just a girl lost.
    Shirri — May 23, 2013 7:03 AM

    help ???!!! eager to drive had it for several yrs getting a little done each time. 1966 ford mustang front leaking; horn don’t work? air-conditioning up–grade. Need your knowledge and expertize, thank you reply
    Petewr A. Ferraro — May 26, 2013 8:18 PM

    I would like to know, where to get the pin # on the dash board for my 68 Mustang. It was lost during the interior restoration. Any suggestions? Gil Gonzalez July 2013 4:48 p.m.
    Guillermo Gonzalez — July 18, 2013 1:48 PM

    Dear Joe
    How long does it take for a beginner to perform all the restorations outlined above and what are the material costs associated with it?
    Best regards
    Pedro (from Switzerland)
    Peter Volkart — November 4, 2013 1:09 AM

    how much did all of this cost?
    Gabriel — March 26, 2014 8:04 PM

  2. I Iwould like to know if all the mustang’s were painted the same color inside and out? I am working on a 67 shelby that was painted the car color was used to the rubber door seal and was painted a semi- gloss black, that matches the interior. was this correct? thanks, Morris

    1. The interior colors were not painted to same exact color as the outside. If you had a black Shelby with black interior, the interior color is a black iridescent color (semi-flat); the paint on the interior of the door would start at the door seal.

  3. This past winter I reupholstered my front 67 mustang coupe seats and now I am researching the rear seat, it’s done differently. Wish you had something on this, but I think I know how to do it with muslin and raw cotton for the batting. I redid my fronts like the factory did in ’67 and pleased with the results. I used spring steel wire in the burlap, cotton batting, hog rings, duck bill pliers (instead of my fingers to hold things), paper piping cord, paper wrapped spring steel to recreate the correct listing rods. I have quality photos of my work at various stages and found parts supply for rebuilding the springs that I could supply if you wanted to try expanding the upholstery section.

  4. Any tips on getting the glove box door installed correctly so it doesn’t pop open? I am missing the bezel so I think that is an important piece in the process. My next step is to loosen up the piano hinge and see if I can get things to line up correctly.

    Thank you,

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