dash material

[Speakrdude]

On my 84 Bayliner restore (resurrection) project, I am replacing the old palstic material that holds the guages that is,in turn, screwed to the fiberglass. I cannot find any plastic like the manufactuor used originally. Any suggestions?It seems to be 3/8" thick black plastic. I have considered using thin Aluminum such as US Marine did later or multiply formica (???) that Ranger used on my bass Boat.<br /><br />Jim

 

[12Footer]

Re: dash material

I would personally use Starboard or Lexan.<br />Starboard is expensive, but indestructable.<br />Lexan is sucepable to UV damage over the years, but can be coated or painted to protect it. Then, there's wood. Teak looks great, but is a constant maintainence job. This is what will be replacing the coping in my project boat.

 

[sailor3X7]

Re: dash material

I wanted to replace the old woodgrain vinyl on my instrument panel too. I haven't done it yet, because I have not found the material I want to use either. I was considering a formica with a burled wood grain. I think it would look great, but I don't know what to cut it with. Maybe a router? From what I understand it is very brittle and would not cut with a jig saw and is too tough for a utility knife. I know that is not any help to you, Speakrdude.

 

[Buttanic]

Re: dash material

I have bult them out of lexan or plexiglass.I bead blast it and paint it semi gloss black.

 

[rverano]

Re: dash material

If you can't find 3/8" plexi, how about backing it with marine plywood and gluing the plexi to the wood. I've replaced my vinyl wood look this way but with mahagony veneer.

 

[dajohnson53]

Re: dash material

I've also used lexan and plexiglass. It seems lexan is more scratch resistant - maybe. I've painted both on the "inside" surface so that the exterior surface doesn't have any paint to scratch off. My latest dash was done with a remnant of lexan I picked up at the local plastics shop which had a pebbled surface. It looks pretty good (painted on the inside/smooth surface) and so far has held up for 2 or 3 years.<br /><br />If I had it to do over again, I'd probably use aluminum.

 

[jklett]

Re: dash material

The black plastic is probably ABS. Most hobby shops and some hardware stores should have it. Regular tools will machine it, and it usually has a grainy surface to it. I hope this helps a little.