Engine panel corner reinforcement - suggestions please!

[RichardS]

I have two Yanmar Type B engine panels like this:

Due to UV degradation in the Med plus overtightening by marine "engineers" most of the plastic corners are split and a couple have actually broken off completely. At the moment these are secured with oversize washers which overlap the sound plastic but look ridiculous because they also stick out 360 degrees of course.

I could buy new panel fascias https://www.frenchmarine.com/product/Yanmar-129271-91120-Panel-Surround-1505-22 but at £105 each I would be happy with some plastic or stainless corner reinforcements. However I can't find anything on the web. The panel is only 5mm or so thick so the type of reinforcement used for furniture are much too big. I can understand why the new panels are back in stock "after huge demand"!

I could grind away the "outer" edges of the washer but it's never going to look that good.

Has anyone found anything suitable "off the shelf" as I don't have my grinding wheel on the boat.

Many thanks for any ideas cheaper than £210!

Richard

 

[pvb]

If it's any consolation, the same thing happens to Volvo Penta panels!

 

[prv]

A stainless frame right round the edge of the panel would do the job, but I can't think of a good way to make one in a typical home workshop so it would have to be done by a fabricator.

Alternatively, how about getting a whole new panel engraved, and transferring the lights, switches and tacho into it? I did that with the older Yanmar panel on Kindred Spirit, so that the engine controls were incorporated into the general control panel. You could have it laser-engraved from Rowmark plastic, or if you're concerned about that also getting UV-damaged over time they can do permanent marking on stainless using the same laser machine with some kind of light-activated chemical. A custom-made panel with both sets of engine controls, any other relevant switches, and perhaps the boat's name would look rather swish.

Pete

 

[Norman_E]

Make new panels from GRP sheet. http://www.ecfibreglasssupplies.co.uk/p-3032-2mm-fibreglass-flat-sheet-jet-black-ral-9005.aspx If you cut carefully round your existing panel, preserving all the lettering, you could bond it on to a piece of GRP sheet with a suitable cutout.

 

[R S]

Try mirror corners... http://www.homebase.co.uk/en/homebaseuk/mirror-corner-clips---nickel---4-pack-819104?cm_mmc=PPC-_-Summit-Google-_-NonBrand-_-PLA&_$ja=cgid:13855316656|tsid:49590|cid:320624896|lid:72791420056|nw:g|crid:82730414296|rnd:18237291653104831691|dvc:c|adp:1o4|bku:1

 

[alahol2]

Would be worth getting a quote for a stainless frame from these people... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LASER-CUTTING-FOLDING-SERVICE-MILD-STEEL-STAINLESS-ALUMINIUM-BRASS-COPPER-/321674083868?hash=item4ae544fe1c:g:kY4AAOSwBLlU5g2V

 

[essexboy]

Up cycle a stainless picture frame ?

 

[RichardS]

Try mirror corners... http://www.homebase.co.uk/en/homebaseuk/mirror-corner-clips---nickel---4-pack-819104?cm_mmc=PPC-_-Summit-Google-_-NonBrand-_-PLA&_$ja=cgid:13855316656|tsid:49590|cid:320624896

Those are exactly the kind of thing I was looking for. I can grind off the lugs or perhaps even use them as the new fastening point. I've just done a search for mirror corners in stainless steel or plastic which would be perfect but can't find any. However, in the meantime I'll buy a set of these and experiment.

Anyone out there with a 3D printer fancy churning some out?

Many thanks.

Richard

 

[Yngmar]

Build it up with black Sugru?

 

[BERT T]

Chrome plated brass available here: http://www.wholesaleglasscompany.co.uk/acatalog/Robe-Corners-Face-Fix.html

 

[Talulah]

I remounted the instruments off the engine panel onto black composite sheet bought off ebay.
This is not quite so easy with your panel as the warning lights show through the sticker. You won't be able to remove the sticker in one piece.

 

[RichardS]

Chrome plated brass available here: http://www.wholesaleglasscompany.co.uk/acatalog/Robe-Corners-Face-Fix.html

Excellent find. Thank you.

Inevitably more expensive that the plated steel versions but worth the extra as my engine panels are outside in the cockpit

I will order two sets.

Richard

 

[RichardS]

Chrome plated brass available here: http://www.wholesaleglasscompany.co.uk/acatalog/Robe-Corners-Face-Fix.html

Just to follow up on BertT's corner reinforcements, I am pleased with the final result:

So far I have only done the top corners as these were all the split ones but I will do the rest next time I'm on the boat.

Apart from being exactly the right "depth" and fixing the panel perfectly, an added benefit is that the brass corners also hold down the face-plate which was peeling off from the plastic chassis.

Richard

 

[PabloPicasso]

Just to follow up on BertT's corner reinforcements, I am pleased with the final result:

So far I have only done the top corners as these were all the split ones but I will do the rest next time I'm on the boat.

Apart from being exactly the right "depth" and fixing the panel perfectly, an added benefit is that the brass corners also hold down the face-plate which was peeling off from the plastic chassis.

Richard

That looks super. Just the job