This installation guide is designed to help you remove and reinstall Classic Mini padded dash rails, and also install your new dash rail cover kit if you have chosen covers rather than retrims.

If you have purchased a dash rail retrim service, you will need to remove the padded dash rails from your Mini and send them to me for retrimming.

If you have any questions during installation or need any assistance, please get in touch and I'll be happy to help.

Tools Needed (Recommended):

• Ratchet handle (1/4")

• Flexi socket extension (1/4")

• 7/16 socket (1/4")

• PH2 cross-head screwdriver

• Contact spray adhesive (high temperature resistant)

If you have ordered dash rail covers (not retrims), you will also need:

• Clean lint-free cloth

• Grease removal cleaning agent

• Contact spray adhesive (high temperature resistant)

• Marker pen Brush-on adhesive (high temperature resistant)

• 1" glue brush Sharp knife

Removal - Top Padded Dash Rail:

The top dash rail is held in place by 3 or 4 bolts (depending on your model).

To remove the top dash rail, remove the bolts using a 7/16 socket:

• On models with 3 bolts, you will find one bolt either side and one in the middle. To remove the middle bolt, you will need to remove the ash tray.

• On models with 4 bolts, you will find one bolt either side and then two bolts approximately 15cm off centre, either side of the centre.

Once you have removed the bolts, lift the dash rail upwards to remove it.

For reference, you do not need to remove the front windscreen to remove the top padded dash rail, but removing the front windscreen does make the job of removing the top dash rail much easier.

Removal - Lower Padded Dash Rail:

The lower padded dash rail is held in place by glue and metal clips.

To remove the lower dash rail, first you will need to drop the heater unit and release the switch panel.

To drop the heater unit:

• Remove the screws that hold the heater up at the front (the two small brackets behind the switch panel).

• Pivot the heater so the front of the unit drops down.

After you have dropped the heater, you can gain access to the nuts that hold the switch panel in place (one either side).

Remove the nuts using a 7/16 socket attached to a flexi socket extension.

To release the switch panel, pull the switch panel forwards so it protrudes from the dash rail.

With the heater unit dropped and the switch panel released, you can remove the lower dash rail:

• Remove the trim clips along the bottom edge.

• Pull the dash rail out carefully.

The dash rail is held in place with glue and may require some force to remove, but take care not to damage the dash rail.

To remove the dash rail over the switch panel, twist the dash rail to change the angle, allowing the switch panel to pass through the opening.

With the dash rails removed from your Mini, if you have ordered dash rail covers (not retrims), you can now install your new covers to the dash rails.

Pre-Installation - Dash Rail Covers:

Before installing your new dash rail covers, prepare the original dash rails as follows:

On the top dash rail:

• Using a sharp knife, cut away the original plastic padded dash rail cover from around the air vents and all around the edge.

• The aim is to remove the original thickness of material around the edges of the rail, allowing space for the additional thickness of the new cover.

On the lower dash rail:

• Using scissors, tidy up the top rear edge so it runs straight in a continuous curve from side to side.

Before progressing with your new cover installation, clean the dash rails using a clean lint-free cloth and a grease removal cleaning agent.

Allow the cleaning agent to dry and/or evaporate naturally before applying adhesive.

Installation - Dash Rail Covers:

Completely cover the top surfaces of your dash rails and the rear of the foam pieces using contact spray adhesive.

It is important that the adhesive is allowed to become touch dry before fitting the carpet. If the adhesive is still wet, the carpet may not bond correctly.

Fit the foam to the dash rails, ensuring you pull the foam tight and that it is correctly fitted around all of the shapes and contours.

Do not wrap the foam around the edge of the dash rails. and using a sharp knife, trim the foam around the edges

With the foam installed, use a marker pen to draw the position where the seams will sit:

• On the top dash rail, the seam follows the leading edge.

• On the lower dash rail, the seam follows the lower edge. There is a slight crease on the original lower dash rail which can be used as a guide.

Completely cover the top surface of the dash rails (including the installed foam) and the rear of the new covers using contact spray adhesive.

It is important that the adhesive is allowed to become touch dry before fitting the carpet. If the adhesive is still wet, the carpet may not bond correctly.

Fit the cover to the dash rail, ensuring you pull the cover tight and that it is correctly fitted around all of the shapes and contours.

Ensure the seam is straight and follows the guide line you marked earlier.

Using scissors, trim away any excess material, leaving approximately 1.5cm of cover material around the entire edge.

Apply brush-on adhesive using a 1" glue brush to both the rear of the dash rail and the rear of the cover material (the 1.5cm overlap). In other words, apply adhesive where the cover material will wrap around and attach to the rear of the dash rail.

It is important that the adhesive is allowed to become touch dry before fitting the carpet. If the adhesive is still wet, the carpet may not bond correctly.

Wrap the cover material around the edge of the dash rail and secure it into position.

With the cover fitted, you can now trim and finish the ash tray (top dash rail) and switch panel opening (lower dash rail).

Apply brush-on adhesive using a 1" glue brush to both the rear of the dash rail and the rear of the cover material.

It is important that the adhesive is allowed to become touch dry before fitting the carpet. If the adhesive is still wet, the carpet may not bond correctly.

To trim the ash tray opening (top dash rail), use a sharp knife to pierce through the cover and make a cut from the centre towards each corner.

Wrap the cover material around the opening and secure it to the rear of the dash rail.

To trim the switch panel opening (lower dash rail), use a sharp knife to pierce through the cover and make a cut from one side to the other, stopping approximately 1.5cm from the edge.

Wrap the cover material around the opening and secure it to the rear of the dash rail.

Heating the leatherette with a hair dryer will make it more flexible and easier to stretch around the switch panel opening.

Installation - Top Padded Dash Rail:

The top dash rail is held in place by 3 or 4 bolts (depending on your model).

For reference, you do not need to remove the front windscreen to install the top padded dash rail, but removing the front windscreen does make the job much easier.

To install the top dash rail, place the dash rail into position and feed the bolts through the holes.

Secure the bolts using a 7/16 socket:

• On models with 3 bolts, you will find one bolt either side and one in the middle. To install the middle bolt, you will need to remove the ash tray.

• On models with 4 bolts, you will find one bolt either side and then two bolts approximately 15cm off centre, either side of the centre.

Installation - Lower Padded Dash Rail:

The lower padded dash rail is held in place by glue and metal clips.

Before installing the lower dash rail, ensure the heater unit is dropped and the switch panel is released.

Apply contact spray adhesive to the inside of the padded dash rail and to the lower dash rail area within the Mini.

It is important that the adhesive is allowed to become touch dry before fitting the carpet. If the adhesive is still wet, the carpet may not bond correctly.

Install the dash rail into position.

To fit the dash rail over the switch panel, twist the dash rail to change the angle, allowing the switch panel to pass through the opening.

Once fitted, the switch panel will trap the trimming behind it and create a neat edge.

Apply pressure across the entire dash rail (rubbing your hand from side to side) to ensure the adhesive bonds correctly. Install the trim clips along the bottom edge.

With the dash rail installed, reinstall the switch panel:

• Push the switch panel backwards so it sits correctly within the dash rail.

• Using a 7/16 socket attached to a flexi socket extension, install the two nuts that hold the switch panel in place (one either side).

With the switch panel installed, reinstall the heater unit:

• Pivot the heater upwards so it sits underneath the dash rail.

• Install the screws that hold the heater unit in place at the front (the two small brackets behind the switch panel).

Finished:

I hope you love your new Optimise Automotive interior and enjoy seeing it transform your Mini.

When your installation is complete, please send me some photos of the finished result. I'd love to see your Mini with its new interior fitted, and customer builds are always fantastic to see and help inspire future Classic Mini owners too.