I am looking to refresh my dashboard, and just looking to ask the collective as to which material to use.

Looking to make a small centre console, and so far I have thought about using:

Aluminum - 1mm or 1.5mm
Wood - plywood (marine or otherwise) 3mm
GRP - would need to buy flat sheet and canabalise
ABS - can be formed and cut but expands with heat

Any thoughts? Hand tools only in the garage and it will need to take weight of a set of clocks and dials without flexing too much.

Cheers
Craig

I used 9mm ply with a thin layer of foam then covered with black vinyl.
I thought about a sheet of ally but would want it black to stop the sun
blinding me and like you say.ABS expands in the heat.I couldnt
afford a carbon one at the time so went with the ply. Its a good
overall effect though.

Andy.

I've never liked the vinal look.

I used 6mm MDF, with wood baton along bottom edge, with 19mm radius for SVA. sanded edges to form a nice curve, fully sealed, undercoat, gloss paint then a few coats of aerosol dry film lube for a fine stain black finish.




[Edited on 13/3/11 by Slater]

Mines is being made from 18mm mdf, rounding the bottom edge then seal and lots of coats of satin black paint.

I think 3mm ply would be rather thin. You could do it but you'ld have to add lots of doublers. In fact you'ld need so many it'd probably end up being 6mm ply

I used 5mm ply on mine. It's a little wobby around the steering wheel cut-out (but don't tell anyone cos it looks alright)

I used 9mm marine ply with 19mm rad pine quadrants on the lower edge for SVA. Sanded a radius on all edges, covered with3mm foam then standard black vinyl stretched flat and tight. Looked OK and plenty stiff enough.

If doing again I'd use MDF in layers to make something more conotoured with a centre console, then seal and paint satin black.

I am surprised how many of you have used wood. I would of thought more people would of used plastic. I suppose its to get the radius on the edges to pass IVA.

I have just covered a few plastic and CF parts on my car using this:

http://shop.ebay.co.uk/i.html?_nkw=3d+carbon+vinyl+&_cqr=true&_nkwusc=3d+carbon+vinal&_rdc=1

The finish is sooooo nice and it looks like it would of cost a fortune! Its really easy to work with as well. Just be patient and have an extra pair of hands ready.

HTH

Good luck

Biz

i just did this out of a bit of yew...

Mine is 6mm mdf, covered in foam, and then vinyl.

I had to recess behind the switches to allow the clips to work, but the switches are a tight fit anyway




I cannot post a pic, !!

[Edited on 13/3/11 by steve m]

[Edited on 13/3/11 by steve m]

6mm Ply...

If you can get a cheap piece of leather, then use that upside-down it has the look of suede/alcantara, and you can brush it to keep it looking fresh...

Just dont use that cf effect dashboard blank from europa, goes like a banana in the sun

Thanks for all the thoughts.

Got hold of some 6mm ply yesterday, so now to make up the paper template and start, so that I can get the car back on the road.

cheers
Craig

I found a piece of laminate floor was a good size, and I've got enough blanks to make 10 more!!

A bit late, but anyway.
I used 1.5mm ally for mine. S'not finished yet as I'm going to cover the outer two sections and leave the centre console naked, as it were. I bent it round a thick ally rod to get the radius for the bottom edge.