Fiberglass Dashes; Designs and Creations

[waxball88]

So, I've been working (Slowly) on a fiberglass dash for my s13. I've seen a few others but overall there isn't a TON of information about doing this.

This thread is for people to share ideas, experiences, and methods when it comes to creating a fiberglass dash.

I'll start us off with my dash i'm hoping to finish up soon.

Step one: (Hate on my taillights being black...)
Tear that nasty vinyl shit (and probably some cracked up foam too) off your dash leaving you with the base foam.
I wish i used some spray foam to level out the cracks before i layed glass


Next you wanna come up with your gauge placement. This is easiest to use some PVC pipe from homedepot/lowes as they fit gauges perfectly.
I cut the pod how i wanted and pvc glued them together. If you're putting gauges where i did you want to cut the rear at a slant as there will be a dash bar behind the area.
I wanted my gauges in the center and didn't want to drastic of an angle, because the interior of the s chassis is geared straight back, not angled towards the driver like a supra. But i still wanted a little angle towards the driver so i came up with this
Dremel out the area where you want the gauges to go.

After placing the gauges i used spray adhesive to lay down the chop mat which seems a little easier to work with around corners and such.
I used a paint roller to roll the resin out onto the dash. I wished the batch i made didn't set as fast as it would have resulted in a cleaner application. But after the first part of resin

More resin and a lot of sanding/trimming. A dremel with a cutting wheel works wonders when cutting out vents/radio bezel.


Mocked up in car, and the placement is good, points slightly to the driver and is nicely visible.

Will post an update when i get it sanded and finished up. Planning to use SEM textured coating, black of course.

I'd like to keep this a shit free thread. Lets keep it constructive so we can see some more ideas and better techniques
UPDATE:

Almost ready to flock.

UPDATE:
10/20
Primer

Sanding and flocking soon

[s13josh]

good job man looks dope

[MidwestMyriad]

It'll be interesting to see a fiberglass dash not painted some obnoxious color with monitors everywhere.

[s13josh]

yea man cant wait to see it

[waxball88]

Originally Posted by MidwestMyriad

It'll be interesting to see a fiberglass dash not painted some obnoxious color with monitors everywhere.

Bleh no way. This dash is meant to be functional. No nonsense extras, or crazy colors that will be blinding when trying to drive. I want it to look OEM. As if nissan made this before they came up with the 350z haha

Anyone have experience with truck bed liner? I heard people have used that for dashes

[Bushido]

lookin good.

truck bed liner will be too thick and it'll look rough.

SEM texture followed by SEM landau black is the way to go.

[NNOCENT]

i agree, i would go with a textured black paint for your final finish.

very good progress mate!

[slowvia]

Looks pretty good! Do you have any more pictures of the gauges? It looks like they need to be molded more, but it could just be the angle of the picture. Depending on how this turns out I may just steal this idea from you

[stephens14sr]

not hating, but why ALL that work for 3 gauges...?

[waxball88]

Originally Posted by stephens14sr

not hating, but why ALL that work for 3 gauges...?

3 Gauges
An uncracked dash
More updated looking interior.
Baller factor

Cheaper than buying a used stock dash
Seems worth it to me

[stephens14sr]

i didnt even think about cracks haha. ive been lucky that both of my 240s had uncracked great condition dashes. so makes since now. you going to keep it black?

[waxball88]

Planning on using SEM textured coating, yes it will be black.

[Bushido]

have you thought about retofitting a more modern style of ac vent? like 350z vents or rsx vents?



im thinking that would look pretty sweet

[SLiDe_WaYz]

Originally Posted by Bushido

have you thought about retofitting a more modern style of ac vent? like 350z vents or rsx vents?



im thinking that would look pretty sweet

I bet that would look great. Look more retro and add to your baller factor.

[waxball88]

Originally Posted by Bushido

have you thought about retofitting a more modern style of ac vent? like 350z vents or rsx vents?



im thinking that would look pretty sweet

Sweet yes, pain in the ass, even more so. lol. I'll think about it, as i have access to a large variety of cars. I'll see if i can get my dad to pull me some 350z vents tomorrow.
I also don't want to lose airflow with different vents. I'd need to craft some sort of ducting (probably not TOO hard) to go along with those vents.
Got a shit load of bondo work done today filling all the little divots in the fiberglass. Layed more bondo a little while ago, got a decent amount of sanding tomorrow, but then i'll be close to paint.

[slowvia]

I dont think those vents would flow very well with the older interior.

[Bushido]

i think they flow pretty well...

[kandyflip445]

You forgot to photoshop the one on the drivers side. lol

[hellion240sx]

Wow you just went into my head like five years ago. I Never got to fufill this idea of a fiberglass dash, So I have 2 dashes with me now :/ o well. Someday I'll get to it. suscribed!

[Ekin_s13]

what do you guys think of this guy did on his car How-to Wrap parts in carbon fiber - 8th Generation Honda Civic Forum

i always wanted a carbon fiber dash.

[muffler]

i like how the gauges are flat up top^^ seems to flow better IMO

[waxball88]

Originally Posted by Bushido

i think they flow pretty well...

Bring your dash over, we're doing that!

EDIT: And then the twins can hang out and we can take some pics lol

[PerilousActs]

Look into flocking the dash as well. Always has that nice race car look

[l240driver]

Looking good i might try this on my old cracked dash.

[c72c]

I like it.

I agree with the SEM texture coat. I'm still trying to find someone to send me some...hint hint...
Bed liner will work also, just don't put it on too thick. I've seen a few pods done with bed liner and they looked great.
Keep it up dude.

[s14tan]

I agree with bed liner. did it on my buddies dash. He did put it on a little thick but we just sanded it down some and it turned out fine.

OP: great work man. I think you should of went with a STI style pod though.

[killer240]

Originally Posted by Bushido

i think they flow pretty well...

im still working on mine. it will be something like this.

[Nicelyphe]

Suscribed, can't wait to see it painted.

[pandaroo]

so you left the dash under the glass? seems like you could use some kind of mold release and pop the fiberglass shell off and have a lightweight dash.

[c72c]

Originally Posted by pandaroo

so you left the dash under the glass? seems like you could use some kind of mold release and pop the fiberglass shell off and have a lightweight dash.

That would only give him a shell for the dash. He'd still need brackets and mounting points all over it.