1970coupe

What is the best way to build a dash/console? I am wanting to run some custom gauges without buying the 1000 6 gauge set that i like made for the 70. So i want to make the two panels beside the dash pad and put in my own gauges.
What materials should be used? Can i make it out of wood and fiberglass it?
i posted a photo of what im kinda looking at doing

ninteen66mustang

Thats what they use one TV shows for sub boxes and stuff.

1970coupe

they use wood and fiberglass it? i saw a custom chevelle at the show and thats what it looked like he was going to do. he had it all unfinished wood. i just want to mount some nice gauges in it and its hard to fit gauges in the original bezel.

andrewmp6

I believe he made a metal frame and bolted on a thin metal plate.I seen a boss race car with a dash close to that.You can make yours out of anything you like wood or metal the outside finish is up to you painted stained wood or leather/vynil.

1970coupe

yeah. how can i acheive a curved affect?

7106mustangman

All of the custom fabbed dashes that I have seen have been made out a wood frame wrapped in fiberglass, then covered in leather and whatever else looks nice to the builder. I constantly wanted to build one for my 71, just never got around to it. good luck.

1970coupe

thanks! i really want to build it, i think it will be really fun designing it and picking out the right gauges. i am rewireing the car so i figure why use the old crappy circut board when i could hook up some nice gauges.

Cruzzar

Take some closed celled foam, cut/sand to the shape you want (be sure to incorporate the flat areas for the guages to mount to), put duct tape over it and glass over that. The tape acts as a release agent. When cured pull or cut out the foam, it should release fairly easy from the glass because of thetape. You can fill the weave with bondo, sand and primer it and paint it or upholster it to match your dash.

andrewmp6

You could make it where the oem dash pad on top of the dash your making.

1970coupe

what are the procedures to get the fiberglass hard and sturdy? the foam idea would be really easy to mess up but would probably work better for curves.