Removing radio blanking panel

[Cadence]

Hello - I’m hoping for some help with my latest dumb question.

I need to change a window switch and was hoping to access this via the radio aperture.

A previous owner fitted a burr walnut dash which is in lovely condition, so it would be nice to keep it that way.

Any clues please how to get it out in one piece.

Many thanks

[elanfan1]

Can you take out the ashtray and get a mobile phone for a photo. It does look as though there’s something fitted across the top and bottom left and right

[Cadence]

Good idea - thank you.

That’s reminded me I have an endoscope that works with my iPhone - haven’t used it for ages. That should easily get a view of what’s holding the blanking panel in place.

[Billelan]

I think it depends on who made the dashboard. Mine was made by Nick Martin in the UK, on his the radio blanking plate is held in place by some plastic straps screwed to the dash and plate. These are designed to break off if you want to fit a radio by pushing the blanking plate inwards. Not sure how you would refit it though.
Personally I would pull the full dash forward to gain access to the window switches. Would be a shame to risk damaging such a nice dashboard.

[gjz30075]

I think it'll be easier to remove the glove box to get a peek at how the blanking plate is fastened, maybe
using a mirror. Then you can come up with a plan for reinstallation.

My Elans blanking plate is held on by two small screws. The screws go into small wooden strips
that are glued to the back of the dash and extend into the blanking plate opening. I'll easily live with
the two small screws (painted brown) for the convenience of access to behind the dash. It's been
very helpful numerous times.

[Spyder fan]

It looks likely your blanking plate is fixed in place with thin strips of wood that bridge the gap and are fixed into the back of the plate. This is how my blanking plate was fitted, removal can be difficult or easy depending on your method.
I chose the "easy" method by cutting through the strips using a hacksaw blade like the one below, but I was removing the plate to fit a radio and didn't need to refit. However there was no damage done to the dash or plate using this method and it would be simple to glue some thin strips of wood to bridge the gap again and use black velcro to fix the panel in place again.