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Custom fiberglass dash build...

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LOL. Funny you mention that my buddies have been calling my car "the spaceship" for some time now because I already have 3 gauges center mounted in my DD's dash...

Haha, nice. Ive got that a few times. My interior is plauged with too many guages also. 3 on the pillar, a TT, an safc and 2 in the center vents.. :(
 
OK let me explain why i made another panel replicating the frontside of my dash. I wanted these sections to be upholstered with some sort of leather. So, rather then glue the fabric directly on the dash, because I think that may turn out to look cheesy, I went the extra mile to get these made and upholter them. That way i just need to place them directly on the dash and they'll hopefully look better then just glue on fabric.

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Oh and by the way guys I have since decided to make the senter piece molded into the dash. It will still allow me easy access to the monitor and gauge wires because of the removable panel directly in the middle. I evened most of it out and need to sand some more of it.

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SO the next thing I'm doing is sanding that and trimming out and fitting up the extra fiberglass panels I made for upholstery. Will be updating again as always.. :thumb:
 
so i just read your entire thread :thumb:...and all i have to say is...COME MAKE ME ONE DUDE!!

good effin job, i cant wait to see the progress and installation...
 
More updates. Sanded pretty much everything down one last time with some finer grit to prep it for the glazing putty. I know I've been saying it a while but it's about ready for the next step. Alot of the close up are hard to really depict the smoothness of the surface.
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Still have to trim the extra panels I made. But the monitor is about a 1/4" off and the head unit is dead on so the monitor is definately getting lined up a bit better. I am more then happy with the look thus far I think the monitor and gauges and head unit layout turned out real nice. The montior really does assist a clean bold look.. Hell I'm biased tho. I will continue to keep you all updated.. :thumb:


I havent asked this yet but ***TELL ME WHAT YOU GUYS THINK**** This is pretty much the last time I'll be adding or tweaking anything once I lay the guide coat down the mold is pretty much set in stone so give me some input I'm open to all!

**********FEEDBACK WELCOME*****
 
Where are the air con vents gonna go?

Thats a good question. Me and my buddy have been trying to figure out where to put the vents for almost 2 months now.

Everywhere we look and decide to put them it ruins the flow of the dash. A huge circle or rectangle on it is pretty blatant. We were then thinking of making some slits in certain areas and ducting the air to those points....I don't know where to put it!

Whos got ideas?!
 
Needs a bit more of touch up, try sanding off that PVC tubes to round off the
edges, other then that sing me up for a order!
 
Thats a good question. Me and my buddy have been trying to figure out where to put the vents for almost 2 months now.

Everywhere we look and decide to put them it ruins the flow of the dash. A huge circle or rectangle on it is pretty blatant. We were then thinking of making some slits in certain areas and ducting the air to those points....I don't know where to put it!

Whos got ideas?!

How about a vent on each side (sort of symmetric), one for the driver, one for the passenger that is very short and fairly wide...sort of like a WRX hood scoop kind of thing. The passenger side could go above the airbag spot and the driver's side could go right above the instrument cluster firing at the topish part of the steering wheel (don't know how tall you are if you can fire over it).

I don't know if they sell vent louver kits...if so, maybe build them around a wide/short kit.
 
How about a vent on each side (sort of symmetric), one for the driver, one for the passenger that is very short and fairly wide...sort of like a WRX hood scoop kind of thing. The passenger side could go above the airbag spot and the driver's side could go right above the instrument cluster firing at the topish part of the steering wheel (don't know how tall you are if you can fire over it).

I don't know if they sell vent louver kits...if so, maybe build them around a wide/short kit.

I like that idea, But make it real low profile.
 
How about a vent on each side (sort of symmetric), one for the driver, one for the passenger that is very short and fairly wide...sort of like a WRX hood scoop kind of thing. The passenger side could go above the airbag spot and the driver's side could go right above the instrument cluster firing at the topish part of the steering wheel (don't know how tall you are if you can fire over it).

I don't know if they sell vent louver kits...if so, maybe build them around a wide/short kit.

Very good idea. We are branching from it and drawing up plans and a few other ideas before we start cutting. Should flow into it pretty nice.

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OK guys more updates. Guide coat is on. It's thick but will suffice. That way I don't need 3-4 thin coats. I've actually sanded this coat off fully and applied another coat. Will continue to do so until I can't feel any bumps. Then primer! Probably by the end of tonight! So I'm about set for the final steps. I will be leaving the country for vacation in the next week for 10 days so after that it will be painted and cleared. Upholstered and all. I am having a REALLY hard time finding a good painter. I know a couple guys that do good work but I need to see if they are availabel for this. Then, install time. Which will more then likely suck because it will be painted and all so getting it in without chips or scrapes might be tricky.. Anyways.. Enjoy the few pics and here there's more coming tonight or tomrrow!

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The top unfinished area by the windshield vents is actually going to be covered with a thin panels I'm going to upholster in black suede to eliminate alot of glare in that votal area. It should making DD a bit easier instead of looking at a dark red and shiny reflection in the sun.

It's funny because all the areas you see with the red coat will be painted red. And the peach filler areas will be a creme/tan leather. So it gives you an idea of the color layout. Oh and yes that is a OEM DSM gauge panel I'm thinking of molding into the gauge set-up. Looks really good and clean in all honesty..
 
Well I made some progress tonight and actually finished up a bit. I have alot of photos because I want you guys to see the difference in the guide coat after 1 and 2 layers. Though you really can't see the low spots its pretty obvious after the putty goes on.
After one coat..
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second coat in select areas..
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Sanded the second coat down and wiped it all off with a damp cloth. Let it dry, wiped it down again, let it dry again, then went over it with a dry cloth. You need to make the surface as clean as possible, eventually the cloth becomes pink, then light pink, then eventually white. So thats what you aim for before painting or priming anything really. And check to be sure the material you use can be exposed to water. The glazing putty and filler both are water compatible so it worked out nice.
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some of the low spots are poretty wild looking. It looks uneven pretty good but if you run your hand over it it's completely smooth.
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PRIMER!
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It looks good but keep in mind I'm still going to wet sand it then do another coat, and wet sand it again. This isn't the final primer, it's just for my use until the painter lays a higher quality primer down. So, I'll keep you updated on how it loks after another 2 coats. Maybe we will notice a difference.
 
OK. Didn't give up on it guys! Just left the country and have been busy with other projects and work.

I have update pics. Most of the panels are about finished, and I actually found some fabric to work with!

I also have completely custom fiberglass door panels finsihed also. They have been incorporated to flow/mold into the actual dash in a smooth fashion. So hopefully when you close the door it will all flow well within the cabin.

Stay tuned for more updates soon. Oh and the painter came by and threw me some quotes, so I'm halfway there with the final stuff.. :thumb:
 
So... not making any molds, to produce any to sell?;):p

Actually I'd love to reproduce some molds for you guys!

I haven't seen or heard enough interest for it yet. Anyone who is interested, just PM me and let me know. If I get enough PM's I'll make molds.. :thumb: Maybe I'll just post a Vote poll once it's finished. Might spark more interest once it's painted and in the car.
 
ya jus read this entire thread. VERY interested in an update! PICS!
 
Thanks guys.

As you can tell by the updates, haven't been working on the dash too much lately. 10AM -11PM shifts 5 days a week and full time media courses at a university limits your time just a tiiiny bit.

I've moved everything out of the garage, it's about time for upholstery. I was thinking a tan leather, and remember how much I love the OEM tan color for our cars. So that's what I'm aiming for... Anybody know a good place to buy OEM leather by the yard?? :thumb:
 
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