Custom car dashboard gauge panel

[RenzFab]

I routed a prototype custom dash panel last night...not too bad for the first version.



the tach gauge is thicker than the smaller gauges so it had to be at a different depth for them all to sit flush with each other.




faceplate version #1....going to make a couple other versions to decide what the customer likes the most. But he/we were pretty happy with the results already.

[glenninvb]

They look good, what material are you considering for the finished part?

P.S. you need a dust collector

[RenzFab]

They look good, what material are you considering for the finished part?

P.S. you need a dust collector

not sure on final material. Customer bought some fine grade MDF to use, but I'm not quite sure.

he threw some color at it to get a better idea of what it'd look like



as for the dust collector - I made a venture type collector, just haven't made the time to make the shoe/holder for the router yet. I'm not going to share a pic of the mountain underneath the router - it's ridiculous.

[CarveOne]

That deserves to be made from a really nice chunk of pretty wood, not MDF. (At least for the side that is seen.)

CarveOne

[RenzFab]

That deserves to be made from a really nice chunk of pretty wood, not MDF. (At least for the side that is seen.)

CarveOne

He doesn't want a wood grain look, though. It'll end up painted a solid color and he wants a flat, not grainy, look. If you have suggestions I'm all ears.

[GeneMpls]

Solid surface or pvc?

[RenzFab]

Solid surface or pvc?

those are spendy options. this is a 3/4" thick cover...as currently designed anyway.

[glenninvb]

Just vacuum bag some carbon fiber on it and be done....

Actually it can be done w/o vacuum bagging, but what a pain


Or this vinyl and a heat gun
http://www.amazon.com/3M-Scotchprint-Ca ... B0058DIDTY

[glenninvb]

My first suggestion started as a joke but...

I found myself watching faux carbon vinyl wrapping videos, the stuff looks pretty easy to use with practice, of course your part would have to be smooth and well sealed, eased outside edges.
Anyway, just an idea

[martin54]

[quote="glenninvb"]My first suggestion started as a joke but...

I found myself watching faux carbon vinyl wrapping videos, the stuff looks pretty easy to use with practice, of course your part would have to be smooth and well sealed, eased outside edges.
Anyway, just an idea

Glenn looks can be deceptive Just about anyone could use a wrap film but I wouldn't want to see some of the results lol.

Actually if it's only the face that is being covered then pretty much any vinyl would do it, it's pretty much a flat surface so nothing special needed. Vinyl won't stick to bare MDF long term so the part would need to be primed properly first & rubbed down because any imperfections will show through the vinyl

[RenzFab]

wrapping isn't a viable option imo....especially not c.f. vinyl. Looks way too cheap. I could just use this as a plug and lay fiberglass or c.f. over it, or make a mold from it...but the budget isn't high enough for that level of effort.

I thought about maybe carving it from solid foam or a plastic or something...but I'm just not coming up w/ anything that doesn't cost too much.

[glenninvb]

If I was going the c/f route I'd use the real thing too. But I've used hundreds of gallons of polyester resin ,gelcoats, and epoxies fabricating parts and repairs. Its not for everyone.

And I thought the BMW steering wheel cover looked pretty good.....

[RenzFab]

And I thought the BMW steering wheel cover looked pretty good.....

I must have missed this...what are you referring to?

[glenninvb]

I understand your not interested in wrap but this, the first link I posted. Had know idea of what you were looking for.



And being a little sarcastic as well, sorry

[RenzFab]

I understand your not interested in wrap but this, the first link I posted. Had know idea of what you were looking for.



And being a little sarcastic as well, sorry

ah ok...that steering wheel came out pretty nice for a wrap. Customer can work w/ fiberglass himself and c.f. but I don't think he's going for that look. I'll ask him because this is way less effort...plus I do vinyl anyway so this is not difficult work especially for how simple the panel is.