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dash panel material
F1SJL - 20/11/13 at 09:42 PM

Hi all,

Just after a bit of info.

Making a new dash panel and wondered which material would be best suited. What have you guys used?
The obvious GRP, carbon fibre and aluminium sheet are all options.

Has anyone ever used upvc boarding? Light weight and easy to work with as well as mega cheap! Are there any legalities to materials used?

Cheers

Steve

RK - 20/11/13 at 10:52 PM

just watch the lower radius, otherwise no restriction from what I have heard. BUT, some materials are prone to warpage in sunlight. Perhaps not a problem for you.

Slimy38 - 21/11/13 at 08:12 AM

Most tintops use a variety of plastics, I'm sure at least one car I have dismantled had what looked to be compressed cardboard for most of it's dash!!

I have a piece of fascia boarding that may end up being my dash (5mm thick but still light), but I'll probably weld in an extra cross member or something to fix it to.

40inches - 21/11/13 at 08:20 AM

I built the dash up by laminating with layers of MDF. It is surprisingly light.
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bimbleuk - 21/11/13 at 08:45 AM

Another alternative is ABS sheeting. I've used 3-4mm sheets in cars for holding dials etc.

There are various finishes from the cheapest recycled ABS with a pinseal finish to carbon fibre and acrylic.

Buy ABS sheets online

Slimy38 - 21/11/13 at 09:30 AM

quote:
Originally posted by 40inches
I built the dash up by laminating with layers of MDF. It is surprisingly light.
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Have you sealed it? I would be worried about moisture with MDF, the stuff is like a sponge!

iank - 21/11/13 at 10:19 AM

Another good option is Dibond which is the aluminium-polyethylene-aluminium sandwich they use to make roadsigns. Lighter and stiffer than aluminium of the same weight and is designed to live outside for 20+ years. Cheap and easy to get (ebay has loads) and even cheaper if you can get an offcut from a sign-maker.
There are other brands available search for "aluminium composite sheet"

Smoking Frog - 21/11/13 at 11:18 AM

I used aluminium covered with camping mat foam and vinyl. Bottom edges were bent over a bar to give the correct radius. Underside panel riveted to front keeps it sturdy. Not in the same league as carbon fibre but a light solution.
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Dash back

bimbleuk - 21/11/13 at 02:34 PM

The Dibond is a good one. I bought a 6' x 8' scrap sheet recently for ~£20 and used it for under panelling and a rear diffuser on a project.

I forgot to mention the ABS sheet can be formed with some heat applied so you can fold the edges or maybe form it over a dash bar.