Custom Dash

[bOOstd GSX]

So what did you do? Did you just resin the whole dash? Fiberglass the whole dash? Bondo the whole dash?

Just give us the step by step, you don't need pics only a something like this:

1) sand
2) yadda yadda

I want to do my dash, but I'm a little stumped as of now. Looks really good BTW.

 

[dsmnate]

So what did you do? Did you just resin the whole dash? Fiberglass the whole dash? Bondo the whole dash?

Just give us the step by step, you don't need pics only a something like this:

1) sand
2) yadda yadda

I want to do my dash, but I'm a little stumped as of now. Looks really good BTW.

1) Clean dash to remove all oils, dirt, etc.
2) Sanded the vinyl to remove texture (I dont' think this is necessary though)
3) Applied several thick coats of fiberglass resin
4) Let dry for a couple of days to ensure that it was fully dry
5) Wet sanded dash as smooth as possible.
6) Filled remaining holes with spot filler or bondo
7) Molded gauge pod to dash
8) Fixed any and all cracks that may have showed up from handling the dash and checking sturdiness by using fiberglass cloth
9) Hand sanded smooth
10) Primered dash with high build primer
11) Wetsanded smooth
12) Taped off and painted dash
13) Clear Coated
14) In process of letting clear coat cure so that I can tape off and re-spray the black
15) Will then re-spray the black and spray another layer of clear over the entire dash.

 

[bOOstd GSX]

Thank you that is a huge help. You should write a tech article or just post a new thread and have a mod sticky this. I know a lot of people would be interested in doing this as well.

 

['96_Talon_TSi]

I sanded most of the texture off of the plastic parts and then used a high build primer, wet sanded smooth, and painted.

aight, thats what i'm doing with mine currently also. I guess mine just dont look as glossy, because they arent painted and cleared yet.


Back to the dash.. ive been thinking about it today, and I think it would probably be best to brush on some resin, and when its in the gel stage, lay a sheet of glass over the top, and soak the sheet in resin, then let that whole assembly cure. This way i dont think you would have to worry about the layer of resin covering the vinyl cracking, and the glass sheet would provide some strength.

I'm going to try this ^^^ on my door panels soon and i guess see how well it works out.

The above action brings me to a question. When laying a giant sheet of fiberglass on the dash, think it would be best as one giant sheet, or as 2 smaller ones (one for the main dash section, and the other for the area that curves up around the gauge bezel)? I'm thinking 2 sheets would be slightly easier to work with.

 

[bOOstd GSX]

Actually smaller pieces would provide more strength if I'm not mistaken.

 

['96_Talon_TSi]

What about using mat?

I havent done any work w/ carbon fiber, but would laying CF over the dash in the fashion i said above, be similar to doing the same with fiberglass? I was thinking about going w/ CF instead of painting black.

 

[UVaJester]

When laying matt or fiberglass cloth it doesn't really matter how many sheets or pieces you have to make a single layer... in fact, where they overlap it will be stronger. i know people that have laid fg over there dashes have had problems with them cracking over time due to the flexiblity and bending of the dashboard... this is probably due to they not laying enough layers of fiberglass... So make sure you lay enough layers...

Jester

 

[dsmnate]

[QUOTE='96_Talon_TSi] I think it would probably be best to brush on some resin, and when its in the gel stage, lay a sheet of glass over the top, and soak the sheet in resin, then let that whole assembly cure. This way i dont think you would have to worry about the layer of resin covering the vinyl cracking, and the glass sheet would provide some strength.

I'm going to try this ^^^ on my door panels soon and i guess see how well it works out.
[/QUOTE]

I am currently doing that on my door panels and it seems to be working well. I wasn't too worried about an impact on the dash because nothing should be hitting it but the doors could easily get impacted in some manner.

 

['96_Talon_TSi]

any pics of the door panels?

 

[dsmnate]

[QUOTE='96_Talon_TSi]any pics of the door panels?[/QUOTE]

Not currently. I will take some pics and post them as soon as I get a chance.

 

[xxconvict]

I hope thats for a show car. Its a beautiful dash but i wouldnt ride around too much with a glassed dash for obvious reasons. Anyone who wants a fiberglassed dash is a moron. If you wreck prepared to be ####ed up! I'm only saying because I work with fiberglass and when it cracks and splinters ur in a whole world of hell. especially in a crash

 

[dsmnate]

I hope thats for a show car. Its a beautiful dash but i wouldnt ride around too much with a glassed dash for obvious reasons. Anyone who wants a fiberglassed dash is a moron. If you wreck prepared to be ####ed up! I'm only saying because I work with fiberglass and when it cracks and splinters ur in a whole world of hell. especially in a crash

Its not a daily driver but I will be driving it. I don't really see how its going to be a problem since I'm not fiberglassing the airbag covers. The only way I see that it could hurt is if someone wasn't wearing their seatbelt and hit the dash. I guess on a side impact the dash could get crushed and splinter.

 

[ninjai_ruken]

Trust me when a wreck happens you get ####ed up no matter what

 

[ECTurboDSM]

When I had my dash painted with a gloss paint, I could barely see out of the windshield when the sun was at the right angle. I switched to a flat paint and it is much easier to drive now. Just a heads up.

 

[bOOstd GSX]

That's a good point, I never even thought of that.

 

[dsmnate]

Trust me when a wreck happens you get ####ed up no matter what

I guess I'll have to make sure I don't get into an accident then...

 

[ninjai_ruken]

Yup wrecks suck big donkey dick

 

[AlecW81]

Those are some f*cking gorgeous pieces. After I'm "finished" with all my go-fast mods, I'll definitly have to look in to having someone fab up a dash like that for me. Color-matching with the exterior paint would be badass (the 1G Silver/Grey color) If someone could figure out a way to cost-effectively manufacture dashes like that (with pods molded in) they could make a nice penny. Pick up a few dashes from junkyards etc and charge customers a core charge till they shipped back their original dashes.

 

[dsmnate]

Those are some f*cking gorgeous pieces. After I'm "finished" with all my go-fast mods, I'll definitly have to look in to having someone fab up a dash like that for me. Color-matching with the exterior paint would be badass (the 1G Silver/Grey color) If someone could figure out a way to cost-effectively manufacture dashes like that (with pods molded in) they could make a nice penny. Pick up a few dashes from junkyards etc and charge customers a core charge till they shipped back their original dashes.

That could definatly be worked out. I just have to finish mine and I'll start working on the spare dash I have and log hours worked so that I can come up with some prices.

What do you guys think would be a fair price to charge or what would you be willing to pay for something like that?

 

[theboogieman]

Do you work at a stereo store or something like that? My fiance is just graduating from College in Reading so I know the area a little bit.

Nah, no stereo store. I have a shop with Frank Isgro of Frank's Custom Fiberglass. He owns the building and we both do our own thing out of it. Works out well and I get to help out occassionally on some cool projects he work on at times as well. But just you standard fiberglass and composite shop. I also have a detached garage at my house that I will do small molds and such at.
And BTW, holy jeezus that dash is looking awesome man!!! I just saw the update pics. WOW!! Can wait to see it finished and all together. Folks are going to love that when the see it finished and in person. I would have posted my dash but I keep selling the ones I make and never get one in my car other than to take a picture for the web site.
I decided I am also going to do mine [dash] different than the one I sell. I will be integrating guage pods in but will not be doing in the same style as yours...I also am not one for TVs (can't afford that luxury) so it will stay rather simple. Here is a picture of Joe's dash, just basic OEM style.
Leo

 

[Gary 420A RS]

WTF... you cant even tell what the hell that is

 

[theboogieman]

well that definitely isn't a dash shot? Window surround corner...thats why I should go in my folder and name the pics I guess! Try this one...
Leo

 

[Gary 420A RS]

you know what would be bad ass... i think a carbon liner that covered where the back seats were..... i took the back seats out of my car.. and if there was something to cover up that whole empty space.. that would be some shi....iam not for sure.. but something to cove it up..

 

[theboogieman]

That could definatly be worked out. I just have to finish mine and I'll start working on the spare dash I have and log hours worked so that I can come up with some prices.

What do you guys think would be a fair price to charge or what would you be willing to pay for something like that?

Well asking what they are willing to pay would give you some idea but remember that alot will not pay much as some do not realize the time and effort that is involved. You would have a better idea. I mean that looks like alot of sanding and hand work involved. So it is like this for alot of folks I personally encounter..."I am not WANTING to pay much; but I am WILLING to pay ALOT if the work is good." I know this sounds crazy but I have seen Frank charge upward of $90 and hour for completely custom work. Like these HUGE, and I mean HUGE turbine housings he made for some company. Man he got paid!!
Time and materials plus 30% use to be an old adage. But you are doing it right by totalling up actual work time. Can't really count time that it sits curing or whatnot. Hell, a carbon fiber version of that would look kick ass but I can tell ya that the guage pods would be a MAJOR PITA unless it is bagged. But those pods are awesome the way they dip and contour the guages. Me likey! I can't wait to see it installed. I eventually will get up to that area again sometime and see Kurt and some of the other DSM crew so i might run into ya'...hope the car is together.
Leo

 

[Hammer_Gaidin]

Wow love that carbon dash!! Wish I could get one like that!