Lunar240z Posted November 25, 2006 Share Posted November 25, 2006 Like a few other people I'm making a custom dash. I finally got around to starting on it this week because of the time i got off. I'm either going to weld on the inside, and smooth the outside to make it like one piece, or i'll [still weld the inside] and do a second pass to make the bead look nice. what do you think? the finish is going to be brushed aluminum with possibly a suede half cap going along the top. this is what its supposed to look like, i haven't got the end pieces cut out yet though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zedevan Posted November 25, 2006 Share Posted November 25, 2006 looks nice! bmw have a concept car where the whole interiour is bent out of sheet metal. They basically score it and kink it, unfortunately i dont know the name of it, but it looks quite special! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lunar240z Posted November 27, 2006 Author Share Posted November 27, 2006 thanks. heres a concept drawing i did a while ago of it. [ and a lotus elise style diffuser i've got in the works as well.] with any luck it'll turn out looking like it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 Nice! And it will weigh next to nothing. I usually question why people want to screw with the Z's already cool dash, but I like yours alot already. One issue I see you having is glare, but maybe you can use that stick on stuff they have for monitors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lunar240z Posted November 29, 2006 Author Share Posted November 29, 2006 I'm hoping that brushing the finish will make it dull enough so that it won't glare. i'll do a test soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naviathan Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 Even if it does glare, a custom dash mat on the top could fix that. Or even stretching leather over it to make a nice custom leather dash. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexideways Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 Well, if you do decide to go for suede, it's the best anti-glare you can get plus, it gives a nice touche (I'm not sure how to spell that word) to the interior, that or alcantara wich is fake suede. Then again, don't know if alcantara is cheaper than suede.:icon14: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexideways Posted November 29, 2006 Share Posted November 29, 2006 I was also wondering how mutch a wood based dash like AGUYANDAREDHEAD is building would weight compared to a OEM dash? And how mutch you'd expect your's to weight? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lunar240z Posted November 30, 2006 Author Share Posted November 30, 2006 the center console/center of the dash so far weighs around 4-5lbs [my scale isn't the easiest to read] i'm guessing it should be around 10-12lbs when its done. i dont see it weighing more than 15. the weight will be including the dash and center console. i had a suede half-cap style cover in one of my other drawings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hotimport Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 Looks good, i like the idea of keeping it round like that... Nice work! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 Actually, I meant glare from the gauge faces. I wouldn't expect much glare with the brushed aluminum, especially not if you cover it in suede. I'm thinking about doing a similar thing using a dash half-cap and alcantera. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lunar240z Posted November 30, 2006 Author Share Posted November 30, 2006 I just tested it outside and the sun has to hit them directly for them to glare,so the light would have to come in very high on the rear hatch, it may not even be a problem with the angle. I'm planning on having a slight tint so i dont think its going to be a problem for me anyways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldestzguy Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 Your dash is fabulous. I want it and will eventually copy part of it. However, if the top of your dash is not dull and dark, preferably black; you will definitely see a major reflection of it in your windshield 100% of the time which is even more maddening at night with street lights, etc. This is why every car is made this way from the factory and is why most complete interiors are gray or two tone gray with the darkest gray starting on top of the dash and even going onto the interior of the doors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bartman Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 It looks like a good plan, and the work you've already done on the center console looks great. One question, based on your drawing isn't the speedo and tach going to take away alot of the drivers vision out the windshield...they seem kinda high. Either way, keep up the good work and keep us posted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OlderThanMe Posted November 30, 2006 Share Posted November 30, 2006 I drove my Z for a little bit with a dull-ish finish on the face of my aluminum dash... It reflected on the windshield and made the windshield impossible to see out of and when the sun came from over your shoulder it just about blinded me. Of course my dash is a race car style with flat sides and very simple. Here it is: Yours may be diferent. What thickness are you using for the aluminum? the welds look small so maybe .045"? I used .063" for mine and it is plenty stiff! I will be using a nice oiled tool leather to cover mine since this black felt catches a lot dust. Your dash looks great and very involved! looks very good!! Props on those rounded corners!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lunar240z Posted November 30, 2006 Author Share Posted November 30, 2006 mine is .063" as well. the penetration isn't super great so i'm going to weld on the inside too. I'm a sheetmetal worker by trade so i had access to a roller. I got laid off 2 days ago which sucks because they were giving me free material. hopefully the next shop i go to will have some extra aluminum too . i want to leave as much of the aluminum look as i can, so hopefully a cover on just the top will suffice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lunar240z Posted January 26, 2007 Author Share Posted January 26, 2007 FINISHED THE SIDE PORTIONS! the whole thing is going to be brushed, and either the welds smoothed or i'll go over them with the pulser on to make them look nicer. and this is something else i just started, an elise style rear diffuser, im not really expecting it to be effective, its more for looks, and my rear section was kinda wrinkly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
naviathan Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 NICE!!!! I like metal.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olie05 Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Maybe I'm OCD but I couldn't be comfortable in the car unless those side portions ran in a straight line across the car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pop N Wood Posted January 27, 2007 Share Posted January 27, 2007 Yeah baby. Duct tape bandages on half your fingers. You are a sheet metal worker.! BTW, even a piece of white paper on the dash of my car causes a distracting glare in the windsheild. You will undoubtably be forced to paint or cover up the portion under the glass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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