F1SJL
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| posted on 20/11/13 at 09:42 PM |
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dash panel material
Hi all,
Just after a bit of info.
Making a new dash panel and wondered which material would be best suited. What have you guys used?
The obvious GRP, carbon fibre and aluminium sheet are all options.
Has anyone ever used upvc boarding? Light weight and easy to work with as well as mega cheap! Are there any legalities to materials used?
Cheers
Steve
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RK
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| posted on 20/11/13 at 10:52 PM |
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just watch the lower radius, otherwise no restriction from what I have heard. BUT, some materials are prone to warpage in sunlight. Perhaps not a
problem for you.
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Slimy38
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| posted on 21/11/13 at 08:12 AM |
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Most tintops use a variety of plastics, I'm sure at least one car I have dismantled had what looked to be compressed cardboard for most of
it's dash!!
I have a piece of fascia boarding that may end up being my dash (5mm thick but still light), but I'll probably weld in an extra cross member or
something to fix it to.
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40inches
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| posted on 21/11/13 at 08:20 AM |
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I built the dash up by laminating with layers of MDF. It is surprisingly light.
 
Description
 
Description
 
Description
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bimbleuk
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| posted on 21/11/13 at 08:45 AM |
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Another alternative is ABS sheeting. I've used 3-4mm sheets in cars for holding dials etc.
There are various finishes from the cheapest recycled ABS with a pinseal finish to carbon fibre and acrylic.
Buy ABS sheets online
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Slimy38
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| posted on 21/11/13 at 09:30 AM |
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quote:
Originally posted by 40inches
I built the dash up by laminating with layers of MDF. It is surprisingly light.
Description
Description
Description
Have you sealed it? I would be worried about moisture with MDF, the stuff is like a sponge!
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iank
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| posted on 21/11/13 at 10:19 AM |
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Another good option is Dibond which is the aluminium-polyethylene-aluminium sandwich they use to make roadsigns. Lighter and stiffer than aluminium
of the same weight and is designed to live outside for 20+ years. Cheap and easy to get (ebay has loads) and even cheaper if you can get an offcut
from a sign-maker.
There are other brands available search for "aluminium composite sheet"
--
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
Anonymous
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Smoking Frog
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| posted on 21/11/13 at 11:18 AM |
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I used aluminium covered with camping mat foam and vinyl. Bottom edges were bent over a bar to give the correct radius. Underside panel riveted to
front keeps it sturdy. Not in the same league as carbon fibre but a light solution.
 
Dash back
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bimbleuk
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| posted on 21/11/13 at 02:34 PM |
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The Dibond is a good one. I bought a 6' x 8' scrap sheet recently for ~£20 and used it for under panelling and a rear diffuser on a
project.
I forgot to mention the ABS sheet can be formed with some heat applied so you can fold the edges or maybe form it over a dash bar.
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