DD bezal modification thread?
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,488
Likes: 1,743
From: Knoxville Tn
DD bezal modification thread?
A few weeks ago someone posted a thread on how to modify the radio bezel to fit a DD radio/GPS into the dash. I searched for it for two days and can not seem to find it, can anyone link me up?
Pro
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 670
Likes: 31
From: Webster NY
I believe this might be it.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...e-din-h-u.html
Another good write up but not on this forum
http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...ad.php?t=52705
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...e-din-h-u.html
Another good write up but not on this forum
http://www.digitalcorvettes.com/foru...ad.php?t=52705
Last edited by 703; Jul 18, 2013 at 04:54 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 646
Likes: 11
From: San Antonio Texas
Not sure of the thread you're referring too but most will direct you to Dennis. If you're a "do-it-yourselfer" like me, here's what I did:
First of all, I purchased a used bezel from ebay to work with. Then, I took the trim ring from the double-din radio I was going to install, placed it on the bezel as a template and marked my cut lines. With a dremel, I cut the bezel and used epoxy to glue the trim ring in. I used fiberglass filler and bondo to fill in the gaps. A lot of sanding is required with multiple grits of sand paper. The fill and sand process is the most demanding and you willto achieve the proper smoothness. After this, I used a sandable primer and paint.
Here's a pic of the finished product:
First of all, I purchased a used bezel from ebay to work with. Then, I took the trim ring from the double-din radio I was going to install, placed it on the bezel as a template and marked my cut lines. With a dremel, I cut the bezel and used epoxy to glue the trim ring in. I used fiberglass filler and bondo to fill in the gaps. A lot of sanding is required with multiple grits of sand paper. The fill and sand process is the most demanding and you willto achieve the proper smoothness. After this, I used a sandable primer and paint.
Here's a pic of the finished product:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 778
Likes: 1
From: Chantilly VA
I think Double D mods might be the way to go. There was a thread here, maybe in sticky in TECH or audio section. I'm getting closer to pulling the trigger for a DD mods bezel and radio upgrade myself. DIY does have good ring to it, but I bet you wood do a lot of sanding to get it right. If you like that, then keep looking for the DIY thread. I know it's there somewhere. 
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,550
Likes: 903
From: Republic of Texas
Just make sure to apply the ABS in thin coats and let it dry layer by layer instead of one big coat.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 9,488
Likes: 1,743
From: Knoxville Tn
I just did mine and found that using oatay black ABS cement was all I needed to re-weld the dash parts. From there it's a lot of sanding, but the cool thing is that the ABS cement is the same material as the dash so you can add or take away with ease.
Just make sure to apply the ABS in thin coats and let it dry layer by layer instead of one big coat.
Just make sure to apply the ABS in thin coats and let it dry layer by layer instead of one big coat.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,699
Likes: 147
What paint did you use?
I have the black interior and may want to repaint my bezel to finish up my Galaxy Note as HU in my 2002 C5 vert where the power connector comes out of the bezel.
I also want to repaint the little shelf I made for this.
I have a thread in the Audio section regarding the Note.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/audi...er-stereo.html
I got a spraycan of SEM 15243 Satin Black Color Coat Plastic Vinyl Paint.
I also have some satin clear coat which would grey down the jet black if I sprayed that over.
I have the black interior and may want to repaint my bezel to finish up my Galaxy Note as HU in my 2002 C5 vert where the power connector comes out of the bezel.
I also want to repaint the little shelf I made for this.
I have a thread in the Audio section regarding the Note.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/audi...er-stereo.html
I got a spraycan of SEM 15243 Satin Black Color Coat Plastic Vinyl Paint.
I also have some satin clear coat which would grey down the jet black if I sprayed that over.
Last edited by StrangelovesM6Vert; Jul 20, 2013 at 08:15 AM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,699
Likes: 147
SEM 15243 Satin Black
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sm...FUqY4AodMwoAlw
This paint is an exact match to corvette factory black interior and works great.
It's like working with lacquer which dries fast and is non sticky.
Summit has it for 10.00
I sprayed some into the paint cap and was able to dab it in around the worked area with a small artist brush
and it blended in perfectly when it dried.
I'm glad I didn't have to repaint the whole bezel as dabbing it in and working it as it dried to match the texture was a lot less trouble.
Also the factory finish on the bezel feels more soft and luxurious (at least in my car which only has 19k on the clock and looks showroom new) a bit like a fine leather compared to the usual paint finish
so I wanted to keep that.
Last edited by StrangelovesM6Vert; Jul 21, 2013 at 04:37 AM.
Supporting Vendor
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 8,550
Likes: 903
From: Republic of Texas
SEM 15243 Satin Black
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sm...FUqY4AodMwoAlw
This paint is an exact match to corvette factory black interior and works great.
It's like working with lacquer which dries fast and is non sticky.
Summit has it for 10.00
I sprayed some into the paint cap and was able to dab it in around the worked area with a small artist brush
and it blended in perfectly when it dried.
I'm glad I didn't have to repaint the whole bezel as dabbing it in and working it as it dried to match the texture was a lot less trouble.
Also the factory finish on the bezel feels more soft and luxurious (at least in my car which only has 19k on the clock and looks showroom new) a bit like a fine leather compared to the usual paint finish
so I wanted to keep that.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,699
Likes: 147
You spray some paint into the cap or some kind of container and take a small brush like this
Brush some paint over the area and as it's drying lightly stab and dab it with the brush to add texture.
You can add some paint which is thickening up in the container and stab it on to further add texture.
I had to fill in an area I had washed away with acetone so I was also pushing it down with my finger but
it was too dark in the garage so I think I overdid it.
Here's what it looks like now feathered in where I goofed it.
I have decided to take the radio out today to final finish my shelf which is not to my satisfaction and while
I'm spraying that I will lightly sand and blow in the corner of the bezel which needs just a little more work.
That will give me texture if I spray it from a distance of a foot and it will dry a perfect match.
I tested this on an old Camaro bezel I had and it dried beautifully.
I'm sure this paint is lacquer ( says acetone/ toluene on the can) which is nitrocellulose or the consistency of wet newspaper if thick.
If you use too much you either wipe it off or wait until it dries which is maybe a half hour.
I'll post some pics of my final result probably later tonight.
Brush some paint over the area and as it's drying lightly stab and dab it with the brush to add texture.
You can add some paint which is thickening up in the container and stab it on to further add texture.
I had to fill in an area I had washed away with acetone so I was also pushing it down with my finger but
it was too dark in the garage so I think I overdid it.
Here's what it looks like now feathered in where I goofed it.
I have decided to take the radio out today to final finish my shelf which is not to my satisfaction and while
I'm spraying that I will lightly sand and blow in the corner of the bezel which needs just a little more work.
That will give me texture if I spray it from a distance of a foot and it will dry a perfect match.
I tested this on an old Camaro bezel I had and it dried beautifully.
I'm sure this paint is lacquer ( says acetone/ toluene on the can) which is nitrocellulose or the consistency of wet newspaper if thick.
If you use too much you either wipe it off or wait until it dries which is maybe a half hour.
I'll post some pics of my final result probably later tonight.
Last edited by StrangelovesM6Vert; Jul 21, 2013 at 11:14 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 5,699
Likes: 147
Ok I made myself some extra work 
I sprayed the paint on too heavy and it wrinkled the factory finish so I had to watersand it then dry spray it then it was too smooth so I added texture with the brush method then sprayed a light finish coat over it.
I also removed sanded and repainted the shelf and then reinstalled it,
Came out pretty good
but the satin is actually a little more shiny than the factory finish. 
SEM has a flat black vinyl paint called Landau Black #15013
as well so I ordered some of that
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SEM-Paint-Carpet-Plastic-Vinyl-Flat-Landau-Black-Aerosol-12-oz-Ea-15013-/330961760414?_trksid=p3284.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BUA%252BFICS%26otn%3D21%26pmod%3D330953532605%26ps%3D54
If I spray some of the flat and satin together it will be perfect.
I can test it on some other plastic and my extra Camaro Bezel and see how it dries to get the right finish.
Maybe the flat first with just a little satin.
I sprayed the paint on too heavy and it wrinkled the factory finish so I had to watersand it then dry spray it then it was too smooth so I added texture with the brush method then sprayed a light finish coat over it.
I also removed sanded and repainted the shelf and then reinstalled it,
Came out pretty good
but the satin is actually a little more shiny than the factory finish. 
SEM has a flat black vinyl paint called Landau Black #15013
as well so I ordered some of that
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SEM-Paint-Carpet-Plastic-Vinyl-Flat-Landau-Black-Aerosol-12-oz-Ea-15013-/330961760414?_trksid=p3284.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BUA%252BFICS%26otn%3D21%26pmod%3D330953532605%26ps%3D54
If I spray some of the flat and satin together it will be perfect.
I can test it on some other plastic and my extra Camaro Bezel and see how it dries to get the right finish.
Maybe the flat first with just a little satin.
Last edited by StrangelovesM6Vert; Jul 25, 2013 at 05:51 PM.