Dash Replacement

[98rangerdvs]

I have read alot of the info on the dash panel replacement etc and I think I am ready to go. I was going to make my dash out of plexi and use a wood grain laminate over it, anyone done this? Also what should I use to coat the laminate to keep it from fading/being ruined quickly?

[ChampionNorm]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 98rangerdvs &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I have read alot of the info on the dash panel replacement etc and I think I am ready to go. I was going to make my dash out of plexi and use a wood grain laminate over it, anyone done this? Also what should I use to coat the laminate to keep it from fading/being ruined quickly?</TD></TR></TABLE>


Hopefully you would have read this thread.

http://www.bbcboards.net/zerothread?id=24026

IM Mikey he is always willing to help

[98rangerdvs]

Yup unfortunetly any body around me who carries anything like he had used is over $90 for a sheet, where I have the plexi and got a 3'X4' sheet of 1/32" think laminate to cover the plexi for $10 so that is why I am leaning towards this..just looking for opinions of anyone how has done it..

[Mikey]

Greg,
go to your local Home Depot....or other major hardware outlet . They normally have left over3' x 3' peices of laminate from covering counter tops and the likes. They basically give them away for $5.00 a peice. If they don't have any, go to any kitchen cupboard / counter shop manufacturer, they always have leftovers and will gladly sell you a truckload of the stuff for pennies.....they throw it out anyways...make sure the under layer (in your case the plexi) is white in order to bring out the lettering. Prior to installation, a couple of coats of a good UV wax will keep it looking good for a long time...

.<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 98rangerdvs &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Yup unfortunetly any body around me who carries anything like he had used is over $90 for a sheet, where I have the plexi and got a 3'X4' sheet of 1/32" think laminate to cover the plexi for $10 so that is why I am leaning towards this..just looking for opinions of anyone how has done it..</TD></TR></TABLE>

[98rangerdvs]

Great...thanx so much for the input...always nice to find out your idea is either on track or way off track BEFORE ya start...I will post pics when I start, once the weather gets resonable again

[perfect-storm]

How about aluminum. You can have it cut to fit, scotch brite it, swirl it, bead blast it, whatever pattern you want. Then it will never fade.

[merklerob]

dont coat the plexagalss with laminate. it will discolor and shrink in the sun. put it on the under side. i sand and paint the under side to form my own dashed.

[98rangerdvs]

so the counter top laminate will not work attached to plexi? sorry now I am confused.

my base was going to be plexi and then using contact cement attach the laminate then give it a good coat of wax and follow up regularly on it

[Mikey]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 98rangerdvs &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">so the counter top laminate will not work attached to plexi? sorry now I am confused.

my base was going to be plexi and then using contact cement attach the laminate then give it a good coat of wax and follow up regularly on it </TD></TR></TABLE>

That will work.....mines 4 years old....and the laminate hasn't shrunk nor faded....it looks exactly like it did when I finished the project. One thing you need to keep in mind... cut the final outside shape and your gage holes after you've laminated the 2 pieces together...hope this helps...

Mike

[98rangerdvs]

That sounds good..should I cut the holes in the plexi before laminating so I have less to cut through one laminated??? I was going to use a router with a laminate triming bit to trim the laminate to the final size of the plexi is this how u did it???

[Mikey]

Glue the laminate to the plex ....then cut the holes....use the old dash plate as the template....set the bit height so the bearing on your bit follows the template...


<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 98rangerdvs &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">That sounds good..should I cut the holes in the plexi before laminating so I have less to cut through one laminated??? I was going to use a router with a laminate triming bit to trim the laminate to the final size of the plexi is this how u did it???</TD></TR></TABLE>

[185invader]

Thanks guys for this post. I'm starting on a similar project for my dash panel. I found the laminate at a local kitchen remodeling place that just down the road from my house. I am actually changing the location of my gages to make room for a Humminbird sonar unit in the dash. I'll have to eliminate the speedo, but it rarely worked anyway. Plus, GPS is much more accurate. My question, is contact cement best for bonding the laminate to the Plexiglas?

[Mikey]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 185invader &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Thanks guys for this post. My question, is contact cement best for bonding the laminate to the Plexiglas? </TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes it is Darrin....and on behalf of all the members who have added some great info to this thread....you're welcome.

Mike

[98rangerdvs]

Really appreciate all the help..unfortunetly I ended up ordering a replacement just could never get the one I made to look right but thanx for all the help..hopefully someone else got it to work for them..