Dash build (Page 1/28) TXGOOD FEB 21, 07:50 AM I thought I would post a few pics of my dash build progress. The look I`m going for. Dash fiberglassed / Instrument pod next Pillar trim w/vinyl psychosurfer FEB 21, 08:42 AM looks NICE!!!! Keep us updated. I have a rebody that Ive been dying to update teh interior on, just cannot afford to drop the dough on the kits. A++ TXGOOD FEB 21, 08:54 AM I`m in the same boat. After pricing dash kits with the cost plus getting it upholstered I just couldn`t spend that kind of money. With what I`m doing I should be able to do all of the vinyl with only glue and staples without having to sew anything. The pillar trim wasn`t bad covering with vinyl but I think the rear trim will be a little more difficult. I`m going to go with Mr Mikes for the seat covers. My car is going to eventually be red so for the instrument plate and console plate I`m going with red carbon fiber, although it is starting to get difficult to find. Mike psychosurfer FEB 21, 09:05 AM It looks like you are going to be able to use the factory gauge cluster, is that right? Did you cut the "center" out of an original dash to cover for your size, or in the car..etc. I build my own surfboards, so Ive got a lot of experience wiht glass, just not sure how to start something like this. When you get a few please detail what you have done so far. 3800superfast FEB 21, 09:09 AM Nice work Mike, I wish I had 1/2 the talent that you do. Keep the progress coming. I`m still trying to re-invent the exteriors... TXGOOD FEB 21, 09:26 AM Thanks for the compliments. I`m used to working with wood so I use that as somewhat of a basis if I have the room. The stock instrument cluster will fit back into the housing. I just cut the housing for the inst cluster to fit and then made it about 3/4 of an inch bigger all of the way around. I like working with cardboard because you can pretty much cut and bend it anyway you want and when you fiberglass both sides it is fairly strong. Something I want to try working with next is chip board because it bends easily but it retains a constant curve unlike cardboard which tends to bend where the corrugations run. psychosurfer FEB 21, 09:41 AM So, rather than using the wood and cardboard to make a fiberglass mold, you are actually using it to hold the structure, then incase it in the glass? If I understand ya right, that sounds MUCH smarter, and a bit less complicated, than how I was going to approach it. Thank you very much for taking the time to share with us. When you cover it in vinal, what are you going to do about the edges on teh sides? Will you have it stiched there? Thanks! TXGOOD FEB 21, 09:58 AM I know that for production work a mould is the way to go but with a single project i think it`s much easier to just make a shape and then fiberglass it over. I still have some filling and sanding to do because even though I will pad the dash a little I want to get it as straight as possible before the vinyl. The side I`m not quite sure of yet. I will probably pull the vinyl just over the edge and then make some very thin covers wrapped in vinyl that just have finishing screws holding them. For the console I am going to make it almost entirely of plywood covered in vinyl. I have bought the vents for the ac from Vintage Air and all they need is tubing run. psychosurfer FEB 21, 10:01 AM Very cool work. I look forward to following your build! TXGOOD FEB 25, 09:05 PM I trail fitted the dash today. I still have a bit more filling and sanding. I`m just about ready to start on the console which will be similar to the Lambo console in that it will start up on the dash and then run down and curve out where the shifter is. I`ve yet to decide where to install my headlight switch and interior dimmer because when I install the air vent on the drivers side there isn`t a lot of room. I may put it just where the dash curves under.