fiberglass dashboard

[Whitey]

question, can i pull out my stock dash, sand it down then put bondo ontop of it then paint it? Or when people have fiberglass dashboards is it a dashboard from fiberglass made from a mold?

[lpphreakx06]

Bondo will break down over time if you try to spread it across the dash. When poeple fiberglass it they lay resin wetted pieces of fiberglass mat on top of it and then they sand it (matt feel free to correct me). that will in turn make it easier to paint, and give it a more glossy appearance when cleared. Making the dash from a mold just seems like such a complete waste of time, effort, and supplies to me.

[vegeta4ss]

deltaDMX from overseas just blew through a 50 pack of circular sanding pads and got all that rough bumpy texture off. No bondo, no fiberglass. Just a lot of dust and a LOT LOT LOT of sanding.

IMO, don't try it unless you:
A) have an extra dashboard
B) or if you just dont care and want something for DIY

[Whitey]

well I'm all about DIY, 90% of my mods I have done myself so thats not a problem. Will sanding the dash give me the same result as fiberglassing it?

[lpphreakx06]

yes

[vegeta4ss]

get to it then. Your going to need a fast orbital sander, you can't do it by hand.

[vegeta4ss]

damn, you have an 03' dash too..don't you?

:faint:

[slvceli]

Look at this thread.
http://www.newcelica.org/forums/showthread.php?t=218228&page=1&pp=50&highlight=dash
http://members.chello.nl/h.kalse1/index_bestanden/realdrx/dashkleur.jpg

It's sick. I don't know how he drives without a cover over it though. A dark color might be okay, but my airbag is painted silver and it's almost blinding. I can't imagine a whole dash.

[silverCELICAgt-s]

no fiberglass involved. Just lots of sanding:
http://photos-270.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-sctm/v115/27/120/82800270/n82800270_30193993_6962.jpg

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

^ That's why you don't clear it... Or use low-luster at least.

[blitzceli]

get to it then. Your going to need a fast orbital sander, you can't do it by hand.That brought me back to a couple years ago, when a friend told me he was sanding his dash. He did it all by hand and it took him 3 months working on it 2 hrs each day. Had a flash back of him sanding and laughed lol.


Anyways, dont use glass or bondo on the plastic pieces in the celica, the stuff doesnt stick. The fiberglass will hold for a while but then peel away. Bondo doesnt stick at all. Get a DA sander preferably air powered, if not then electric. Start out at 180 then work your way up to 400. Then wet sand with 600-2k.

[Whitey]

Look at this thread.
http://www.newcelica.org/forums/showthread.php?t=218228&page=1&pp=50&highlight=dash
http://members.chello.nl/h.kalse1/index_bestanden/realdrx/dashkleur.jpg

It's sick. I don't know how he drives without a cover over it though. A dark color might be okay, but my airbag is painted silver and it's almost blinding. I can't imagine a whole dash.

that does look good, mine is painted flat black right now, I just want it smoothed out. Then I'd paint it satin black w/ low luster clear.

[adalos]

that looks slick as hell. i'd be afraid to even touch it tho, so probably not good for a daily driver.

[Harout]

ive sanded down my whole interior to a smooth finish. lots of work but well worth it.

[wtcnbrwndo4u]

Like someone said... buy a separate dash. I'm sure you can pick up a 00-02 dash on here for $100.

[JSPITZ]

man that looks nice bu when the sun hits it it is going to glare up. not good for a DD.
by the way, Does any one know the best kind of fabric to use with fiberglass resin.

[imatunergts]

well if you wanted you could buy all my interior panels

[JSPITZ]

well if you wanted you could buy all my interior panels

whats so special about them?

[imatunergts]

he wouldnt have to run around interiorless while it was being done and could work on them on the side and if he decided to sell he could take the panels out and sell them and put in the stock ones

[peeper06]

he wouldnt have to run around interiorless while it was being done and could work on them on the side and if he decided to sell he could take the panels out and sell them and put in the stock ones

I think I'm gonna have a gutted interior for a little bit while I repaint (and possibly sand smooth) my plastics int he spring.

[JSPITZ]

So what is the best fabric for fiberglass resin..anyone?

he wouldnt have to run around interiorless while it was being done and could work on them on the side and if he decided to sell he could take the panels out and sell them and put in the stock ones


what parts do you have for sale?

[adalos]

So what is the best fabric for fiberglass resin..anyone?



what parts do you have for sale?

not sure what you mean. are you talking about what kind of fiberglass matting to use, or are you going to be stretching fabric over something and applying resin to it? if you're applying resin to stretched fabric, most people use fleece or any other stretchy fabric that has some weight/thickness/sturdiness to it.

[JSPITZ]

not sure what you mean. are you talking about what kind of fiberglass matting to use, or are you going to be stretching fabric over something and applying resin to it? if you're applying resin to stretched fabric, most people use fleece or any other stretchy fabric that has some weight/thickness/sturdiness to it.

Yes... thank you for the info

[alessio87]

Does anyone know if its hard to paint the headliner? I want to paint my headliner black to match my dash but really don't know the whole process. Can anyone tell me what paint to use and if I have to do anything to prep it. I also also want to paint my pillars black. Thanks

[TRD-CELICA-GT02]

^ You're better off re-wrapping that headliner. You paint fabric and its going to feel like crap. It's going to be a rough texture, it wont be soft at all. Just find someone or do it yourself, buy some black fabric and spray some fabric adhesive or any adhesive in a spray and place it over the existing one.

Do a search on how to remove the headliner, I remember seeing one a few years ago on this forum.

[alessio87]

Is it hard to wrap it? The headliner I can take out. How much do you think someone would charge if I just brought them the headliner? If I did it myself how much do you think suede would cost me and how much would I need?

[adalos]

you can use duplicolor fabric and vinyl paint (sold at autozone) on it. as said, it will change the texture, but it's not terrible. and how often do you touch your headliner anyhow? you can also use SEM fabric dye if you want to change the color without leaving the coarse texture.