Custom Metal Guage Clusters
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
Custom Metal Guage Clusters
Ok it's almost time to start putting everything back together and I just ordered my door panels so I need to make my final touches on the interior. I've seen pictures of custom clusters that are flat, sheet metal face plates for the 2 main guages and the mini cluster to the right of that. I love this look but unfortunatley lack the skills and tools to fabricate something like this. My question is, are there any vendors or anyone that sell these plates fitted and fastened to my dash but without anything cutout so I cutout what I need? (I plan on relocating the blower controls, installing a custom CD deck, starter button, and autometer guages).
Any tips, leads, or info greatly appreciated! Thanks
Bry
Any tips, leads, or info greatly appreciated! Thanks
Bry
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by 88'Cubka
I havn't seen any, I am making my own. Hardest part about it is painting.... For some reason I can't get it right on my last peice. lol Stripped it off 3 or 4 times already.
(for a price of course!)Thanks!
Bry
PS Any others?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
Found it! This is almost exactly what I'm looking for, but just the plates so I can arrange everything. Anyone sell these, know where I can buy some, maybe even have tried and true dimensions? Thanks!
Bry
Racer
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 400
Likes: 0
From: Location: at the right hand of Satan in Hell
I saw one of these at a show where the guy had ordered carbon fiber look vinyl on ebay and put it over the sheet metal. It looked SO much better than raw or polished metal and I remembering him saying that is cost about $15.
For that matter, for that small of a sheet, have you considered using real carbon fiber? It wouldn't be that much cash.
After all, it isn't the 1980's anymore. Raw or even polished aluminum in a car screams, "I have a mullet and a flannel shirt and I made this on my kitchen counter."
Just my one opinion,
Bryan
For that matter, for that small of a sheet, have you considered using real carbon fiber? It wouldn't be that much cash.
After all, it isn't the 1980's anymore. Raw or even polished aluminum in a car screams, "I have a mullet and a flannel shirt and I made this on my kitchen counter."
Just my one opinion,
Bryan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 3
From: SF East Bay CA
Carbon fiber works well. The sheets are cheap, or they also make them to fit for about 150 or so.
I just am finishing the carbon fiber install. No pics yet, but will post when done. Looks good. With the brushed alum ultralites, you get the alum look, and the carbon fiber look.
I just am finishing the carbon fiber install. No pics yet, but will post when done. Looks good. With the brushed alum ultralites, you get the alum look, and the carbon fiber look.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,179
Likes: 3
From: SF East Bay CA
Carbon fiber works well. The sheets are cheap, or they also make them to fit for about 150 or so.
I just am finishing the carbon fiber install. No pics yet, but will post when done. Looks good. With the brushed alum ultralites, you get the alum look, and the carbon fiber look.
I just am finishing the carbon fiber install. No pics yet, but will post when done. Looks good. With the brushed alum ultralites, you get the alum look, and the carbon fiber look.
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 1,330
Likes: 1
From: Kerrville Texas
I just made one for a friend and I am no artist. Used an old traffic sign the metal is the perfect thickness and very forgiving. Only needed a jigsaw with a metal blade to do the cutting.
Give it a try you might surprise yourself.
Kona
Give it a try you might surprise yourself.
Kona
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
Unfortunatly I don't have the tools to bang one out. Maybe I'll measure it out or cutout a paper template and take it to a machine shop. And I plan to powder coat it black for the people who think it will look cheesy 
Bry
Bry
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 0
From: COVINGTON LA
I went to a waterjet company and they made a computer auto cad templet, then cut it out of 1/8" stainless steel. I'm sure they can use any material you like. Look in the phone book under metal working or waterjetting.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 11,814
Likes: 9
From: Science Bitch! Mississauga, Ontario
Canadian Events Coordinator
Originally Posted by bhays
Someone just posted a pic in another thread where they painted their stock bezels...I was amazed how nice it looked..
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 203
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by ICEMAN59
I went to a waterjet company and they made a computer auto cad templet, then cut it out of 1/8" stainless steel. I'm sure they can use any material you like. Look in the phone book under metal working or waterjetting.
Bry
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 2,321
Likes: 0
From: Reno NV
St. Jude Donor '08
1/8'' stainless. That has to weight a bbbbbbuuunnnnnnnccchhhhhh. lol As for a template bry, All you really need to do is bring in your bezels and show them what you want. Couple simple measurements and they should beable to get it. Or you could make your own template out of construction paper.
:Cheers:
David
:Cheers:
David
