Fiberglass question

[totaleclipse3]

I am pretty much knowledge less about anything to do with fiberglass, Im pretty good with paint work though. I was recently thinking of removing my grey dash and painting it a glossy black. I know that in order to achieve this I need to some how harden the dash. What would be the easiest way to go about doing this, taking off the material that's on their now and applying resin directly to the foam, then sand? Or do I have to actually fiberglass the whole thing? Sorry if this is a stupid question I'm just clueless on how this works.

 

[gixrman]

Somebody makes really good interior paint for this which would be 10x easier. Removing the dash and fiberglassing it would cause fitment issues since you would have to add several layers of glass for it not to crack.

 

[Jeff99GS]

If you want that SMOOTH glossy look you will have to lightly sand the dash so it is ruffed up. Then you just need a skim coat of resin/filler...but don't add too much filler around the edges where things fit in, like vents or speakers.

You only need a REALLY thin coat to get rid of the texture in the vinyl.

The best way would be to peel off the top layer of vinyl and fill from there...but you will need to do LOTS of shaping and sanding to get it RIGHT!

If I was you I would buy another DASH and fiberglass that one.

I actually have a Tan dash you can have...then if you fu@k it up you wont be without a dash

 

[totaleclipse3]

Thanks guys for the quick response, so resin and filler are the same thing right? Your basically saying to take off the dash, peel off a layer of vinyl and apply a really thing layer of resin then sand it really well right?

And I would love to take that tan dash of your hands....

 

[420agstuner]

there is a fiberglass dash cover that is available that is paintable it also has gauge pods built in heres a link
NU Image ABS Dash Cover Mitsubishi Eclipse 95-99 with two gauge pods - GP325

 

[Jeff99GS]

^^^ that makes it 10000 times easier!

If you pay the shipping you can have the dash for free. Just remember to change the VIN# plate over from your old dash. You don't want cops thinkin you STOLE a car or something haha.

 

[Defiant]

Do not try to change the VIN plate on the dash. You cannot get the correct pop rivets for them, and the police know the difference. Your car will be impounded, and you might get some time in stir while they figure out what should be obvious. Check with your state's troopers, or your department of motor vehicles about how to proceed.

 

[Jeff99GS]

So what can he do if he wants to change the whole dash? does he need the title?

 

[Defiant]

The VIN plate is under Federal Law. You'll need to check with your local authorities about how to go about staying out of trouble. When I changed the dash on a 510, I had to get a California Assigned number to replace the VIN, despite its still being intact on the firewall, doorjamb, and the couple of other "secret" places the manufacturer puts it.