Dashboard... Continued

[sblake161189]

Hi All

I previously posted a topic regarding my dashboard. I am about to purchase some plywood, vinyl and foam to create the padded dash effect however I am wanting to curve around as far as the let below... anyone think of any material that would bend that far to add to the edge of plywood to do the corner? or would you just attach the vinyl/foam direct to the shell around the corners?

Any ideas would be much appreciated.
Thanks

/forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif

 

[Wiggo]

I'd be tempted to find some flexible plastic material (evein if you have to glue rather than staple the vinyl to it. I'm struggling to think of what I'd start to look for, but a wander round DIY stores or builders merchants might be a start. Failing that, a local plastic firm.

 

[Firefly625]

Sam. Simple solution, don't try and bend one section all the way round, it ain't going to work IMO. Separate it up as dash and sides. Then buy ply around 5mm - 7mm thick (not 100% what the exact thickness's are but you will know when you buy). With this thickness of ply it will slightly bend around the edges so the dash and side sections will meet. I think that would look great.

......after saying all that and thinking about it a bit more, there is another way to make it in one section. Use the three piece technique above, but where the sections join at each end of the dash cut them short so there is a gap, then join dash and side sections with some acrylic to match the size of the ply, then use a heat gun carefully to get the right bend without it snapping!. The only trouble with this is getting the foam and vinyl attached to the acrylic in a manner that it looks like one section but a good vinyl/plastics glue should do the trick, then staple the rest to the ply.... I think I would go for the three section method I mentioned first but the one piece sweeping right round might just look better, the joins between the ply and acrylic should be invisible under the foam and vinyl so might look quite effective.... good luck!

P.S, have a look at the CMBA forum... plenty of people there are restoring speedboats all the time and may have some idea's to help..

Classic Motor Boat Association

 

[jfm]

Hmmm. Thing is, even if you manage to bend the plywood or whatever backing, it is very hard to get the vinyl tight on the inside of the bend. It is very likely to rouche

I'd make separate side and dash panels, and size them so as to leave a 4 inch gap at the curved section, ie make them not meet by 4inches or so. Then in that gap, before fitting the padded panels, glue vinyl directly to the GRP. Better still, make a piece of vinyl with turned over and seamed edges, and glue that on, then fit the padded plywood panels over it

 

[Firefly625]

I think he's got it!

that would work a treat. Ignore my previous ramblings! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif