Starting custom dash build.

[Scruffy49]

Figured what the heck, if I screw it up too badly, can order a sweatshop Chinesium replacement.
The foam was separating in sheets all over the base. So, the standard cut back, blow foam and polar fleece method is a no go. No problem, I hope…
Foam peels off relatively cleanly with a putty knife. A wire brush takes remaining crud off down to base tin. The core will be sanded with 80 grit, primed and topcoated with alkyd enamel. Bake the paint in a solar oven for a few days. I hope the scratches show through, mechanical adhesion will be crucial for the next step…

 

[Scruffy49]

Once the thin layer of paint cures, will use fiberglass resin and landscape fabric to wrap the metal core. Again, cure a few days in a solar oven. Will take pics through out the entire process, right to colored bezel and inset individual gauges. There will be NO brushed aluminum glued on drek in this truck…

 

[Grit dog]

If mechanical adhesion is best, not knowing what secret concoction you’re using, may not want to paint it.
If you’re worried about rust, um it’s made it 50 years, it will continue to survive another 50

 

[Scruffy49]

Nothing secret about it, Sherwin Williams marine paint. Doesn’t react to fiberglass resin curing.

 

[Scruffy49]

If mechanical adhesion is best, not knowing what secret concoction you’re using, may not want to paint it.
If you’re worried about rust, um it’s made it 50 years, it will continue to survive another 50

Nobody on this farm will likely still be alive in 50 years… Even our ought as well be our daughter of a tenant is 33, smokes like a 2 stroke Detroit diesel.

 

[Scruffy49]

Python skin vinyl… C10 or K1500… Dashtop and door card inserts. Or the seat sides on the Super Beetle, real one, flat windshield with lime green doorcards…

 

[HotWheelsBurban]

Python skin vinyl… C10 or K1500… Dashtop and door card inserts. Or the seat sides on the Super Beetle, real one, flat windshield with lime green doorcards…

Hmmm that gives me an idea...rest of the fam wouldn't care for it though. Mom grew up in the country and she does NOT like anything to do with snakes.....

 

[idahovette]

Your Mom, Carol and ME, too!!!! @HotWheelsBurban

 

[Scruffy49]

Hmmm that gives me an idea...rest of the fam wouldn't care for it though. Mom grew up in the country and she does NOT like anything to do with snakes.....

Have been bitten twice by venomous… They still don’t bother me. Have a semi tame copperhead named Sneaky Pete (4th version), he’s huge, lives on chipmunks and squirrels in the backyard.

 

[Scruffy49]

Finally just about clear of the ice/snow remnants. Supposed to be back in 60s temps this week. I do everything outside in the yard or driveway, none of my full sized trucks fit in the garage.

Vinyl for the dash is the same flat black that Kawasaki, Honda and Harley Davidson use on heavy cruiser seats. Changing all the cab plastics to black, can’t stomach the factory burgundy. Will make the wood armrests and door inserts (replacing the brushed aluminum) and saddle leather door pulls “pop” a bit harder. Dash trim is ordered, bright red guitar pick material.

Stand alone 6 gauge set is in my cart. Tach, fuel, temp, volts, oil pressure, gps speedometer. All have dual led lighting, white faces with red info. Subject to my wife changing her mind, again…

 

[Scruffy49]

Tests from 2018 for color change. The burgundy plastic and dash top will be black. The red door inserts will be the snakeskin vinyl (maybe) or a bright facric.

The wood/leather were just test pieces, reclaimed pallet scrap and off cuts from something else.

 

[Scruffy49]

If anybody insists that aftermarket is garbage… So is the oem core… Wavy and full of extra holes. Did not help the molded foam stay together. Hard to prep for primer and recover.

Oh, you WILL hit your finger getting this thing stripped. Either with the stripping wheel (guilty) or the knife edges all over it. If you have access to a large bead blasting cabinet, take advantage of it…

 

[Scruffy49]

Youch…