RogerC 136 Report post Posted December 16, 2009 (edited) Working on my custom gauge panel. I posted a couple of pics on Cruzzar’s thread (http://www.1969stang.com/mustang/forum/showthread.php?t=6098) a while back on what I started with. Made a mold from a spare 70 panel. Ended up trimming it up from the bottom flat so I could go the same route as Cruzzar. Covered it with aluminum foil. Note to self, buy quality HD foil next time. Layed up 2 layers of glass cloth. Sanded it level after it dried. Added a third layer with glass matting. Doing it in 30* weather sucks. It wouldn’t saturate and flow out, let it sit for several hours. Ended up bringing it inside cause rain was on its way. It really stunk up the house. It cured fairly well in the house. Did a quick trim and spent a couple hours peeling the cheap foil off the part. Destroyed the old 70 piece separating the parts. There’s way too many air bubbles. I spent a lot of time working them out but think more formed as the resin flowed out. As you can see on the last pic I have too much resin on the part. I need to add another layer around the sides & top. I have a lot of sanding ahead of me to make this smooth and level out the flat areas. You can see some of the foil still stuck in the part. I’ll be sanding it to smooth out the mating surfaces. The inside corners on the back will be getting a strip of matt and cloth for added support. I’m also going to add gussets at the bottom corners for strength and build up the center bottom just in case I have to clearance it for the steering column. Thursday looks like it’ll be in the 40s so I’ll try to do that then. Overall I think its looking pretty good. If it stays cold, I might not get this finished till spring. Edited December 17, 2009 by RacerX didn't like the big font copied from word Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cruzzar 22 Report post Posted December 16, 2009 Keep plugging away, it will get done and you will have a dash like no other. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RogerC 136 Report post Posted May 10, 2011 Update After much sanding and several thin coats of fibered body putty & plastic filler. First coat of primer Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
69StangRestomod 11 Report post Posted May 10, 2011 lookin awesome! I cant wait to see the finished product Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
StephenC 10 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 Looks really good man! What size gauges are you going to put in there? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cruzzar 22 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 RacerX, nice job. Keep up the good work. People will really like the one-off panel that you are doing. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RogerC 136 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 Thanks guys What size gauges are you going to put in there? I'm looking at VDO Vision series 4" tach & speedo and 2-1/16" for the rest. I might try and squeeze 3 gauges on either side of the center section. Depends if it'll look right. Otherwise I'll find room elsewhere for 2 of the gauges. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LindenBruce 27 Report post Posted May 11, 2011 You could mount the other two gauges in a pod at the front of your console like on Shelby's. Nice job on the gauge pod. Bruce Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
buening 63 Report post Posted May 12, 2011 Nice work! I assume you have standard interior, otherwise you'd have to deal with trying to match the woodgrain Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bomccorkle 12 Report post Posted August 30, 2013 Reviving... How exactly did you make your mold?? From the backside of the factory piece?? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RogerC 136 Report post Posted August 30, 2013 (edited) Cut away areas of a 70 standard piece and added what I wanted it to look like and laid glass on top of it (my g stopped working). A lot of sanding and it fits over my 69 with some minor trimming. I'm still waiting to buy gauges. Time to change my keyboard. Edited August 30, 2013 by RacerX R&R keyboard, replaced 9s with g Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RogerC 136 Report post Posted August 30, 2013 Present state Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RogerC 136 Report post Posted March 29, 2015 Update Trimmed my original panel, sanded all contact areas and bonded the fiberglass piece to the original with JB Weld. Clamped it up real good, its not coming apart again. Needs some clean up work. Will be filling the small rectangular opening in center upper bar. Was going to put the original horse bright indicator there but bought other leds for bright and turn lights. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RPM 1,190 Report post Posted March 29, 2015 Very nice work. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RogerC 136 Report post Posted May 3, 2015 Update 1st wet sanding 400 grit Final wet sanding with 800 grit after 2 more coats of primer and wet sanding with 400 grit. Painted, black bottom and dark gray face. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rsmach1 71 Report post Posted May 4, 2015 Nice job, since year one discontinued there version you might be able to make some $ doing/selling those. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
1969_Mach1 333 Report post Posted May 4, 2015 Looks great! Have you thought of trying to mimic the original a little with some type of woodgrain insert. Make it blend with the deluxe interior a little more. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shep69 149 Report post Posted May 4, 2015 Can't wait to see it installed with the gauges. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RogerC 136 Report post Posted May 4, 2015 Nice job, since year one discontinued there version you might be able to make some $ doing/selling those. Thanks I've got too much labor in this to be profitable, way more than I should. Would need to make a proper mold too. Looks great! Have you thought of trying to mimic the original a little with some type of woodgrain insert. Make it blend with the deluxe interior a little more. I meant this to be a one off with an aircraft feel to it. I've even had some trim rings machined from 1/4" aluminum to mount around each gauge but I'm not going to use them cause they don't fit the gauges I ended up buying. Can't wait to see it installed with the gauges. I bought Glow Shift gauges but I'm going to let the paint cure for about a week before I install them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RogerC 136 Report post Posted November 20, 2015 Finally got around to taking some pics with the gauges installed. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Rsmach1 71 Report post Posted November 20, 2015 Came out very nice, I would definitely put that in my car. Great job. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wycked69 20 Report post Posted November 20, 2015 Very Nice Work !! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RogerC 136 Report post Posted November 20, 2015 Thanks guys! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RPM 1,190 Report post Posted November 20, 2015 I know how many hours mine took for just 2 tone paint and clear. Yours has to have mega hours to be as straight and smooth as it is. Nice job! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rwcstang 201 Report post Posted November 20, 2015 love those gauges! can't wait to see this mounted up in the car. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
