Before I go hacking into this and wrecking it...can anyone tell me how to get these two panels off? And how do I get those buttons off?

If it is like my Bullet....The buttons pop off & there is a screw under
them......The side panel on mine has nuts behind it..You must unscrew the lower cover panel & reach up under to the back of
the big panel......Hope this helps......

birdog, are the buttons actually snaps?

Sean,

They are snaps. On my old Top Gun the panels were relatively easy to remove. They just "popped" in and out. I installed some speakers once. I had to remove the bolster as well to get the panel off.

"The buttons pop off & there is a screw under them"

Thats how my Cafe is.

And the person that redid my Cafe interior said there were no bolts holding the side panels on - they are those slip-lock connectors like they use on auto upholstery. If you have speakers near the bases of your bolsters pull them out and stick your hand behind the panel - that should tell you for sure.

Cool...thanks. My little gauge project is turning into a complete redo of the cockpit...i need to get rid of that black dash...anyone ever try to strip the black paint off down to the gelcoat, or have you guys just painted over it? I'm thinking of using Peel Away and then wet sand/compound/wax the gel...

What black Dash? Unless this is not your boat!

no..not my boat...i just didn't have a good pic of it...

Sorry......i was working on the boat !!!!!!!

You have to scuff & Paint the black

I had my guy paint and clear over the black. Watch for runs under the steering wheel. We took the passenger station out and painted it outside of the boat then reinstalled it. Not too bad when you have a forklift.

For the helm station unscrew the gauge panel and tuck it insde the helm station. Nisonger marine has Cafe dash panels if you want to replace your old one.

I'm pretty sure you need to take the thru bolts that go through the bolsters to take the side panel out. There are thru-bolts that go from the bolster to the panel. Watch not to strip these.