Grease on dash? WTF is this?, pulled the covering, black 'paint" comes off like grease? Purple power is strong stuff! Options

[Calwaterbear]

Ok so I pulled off the dash cover and the old fabric and foam dash liner to the front window. The metal looks to be painted black, with some weird swirls of yellow. so I hit it with purple power sparay to clean it up and the black comes off like a layer of soot? its yellow paint on the metal.

I have no idea whats going on? is the purple power liquifying black paint?
the black is dry and appears stable till I hit it with the spray - then most of it comes right off with a sponge or a paper towel?

anyone seen this? or have any idea whats going on?

My plan is to put the foam and vinyl covering in place - no glue, just tuck it in. Then secure the front with the window trim rubber seal, and the back side will be held under the new dash pad, an i thinking about that correctly?

edit: so I went back and read the label on the Purple Power. it says don't use on automobile finishes and painted surfaces - so I'm guessing its disolving paint?

[bkrantz]

I am not sure if your dash recovering plan will work. It will be tough to get the tension even across the width of the dash, and any disturbance risks pulling the cover out.

[Calwaterbear]

I am not sure if your dash recovering plan will work. It will be tough to get the tension even across the width of the dash, and any disturbance risks pulling the cover out.

Ok, so I appreciate the advise. but I'm a bit uncler. are you saying I need to glue it down? if so, what glue, as i've heard several horror stories of glue and the foam layer not playing together nicely?