Ok Guys Let me know what you think I finished the dash bezel Monday. I got my stereo equipment installed back in place the only thing left is to cut in the XM Radio, it's going over where you see the 4 small holes to the right of the bezel. after that on to the carpet and center console, the door panels are done I got to change the driver's speaker it still has the stock one in so that panel is still off.
Front View
Side View
Passenger Door panel installed
Told You I was going to do Carbon Fiber Gauge cluster
This Cluster dosent show any light though I will take night photos later to show you.
Ok Here is a night photo of my dash and gauge cluster. Hope you like what I did? I also scraped the white off the rear of the needles and put on some orange vinyl, it worked out very well. I tried purple for the giggles but the pigments made it look like nothing was on it so what color you use will matter.
Cluster
Stereo and DSP sorry for the fuzzy pic, but you get the idea.
Now this is just me speaking, but I would have moved the top unit over to the left some to kinda center it up.
The pics do this no justice. it is centered. I should have taken a more direct photo. The ones I took are slightly off center.
I would have relocated the HVAC controls to the lower spot, and put the radio in the 00+ spot. Also, would have gotten the flush mount kit for the radio.
The cluster appears to have a lot of bubbles in it.
The fiberglassing looks to be very well done and smooth, just not a fan of the end product of either.
Looks good DMoose.. i like it
That's cool Scott, I appreciate any comments, that's what makes all of our cars different. I was going to move the HVAC but I didn't want to go through the hassle. as far as the bubbles it did bubble on me but it was due to the fact my dumb butt put the clear cover on to see what it looked like and left it up there before installing my dash 2 days later and the sun beat right in on it and the clear acted like a magnifying glass. I have another one cut and ready to install. All of this has been trial and error. the first cluster was done in gun metal and it turned out really well but i wanted the Carbon fiber look. The bezel was not fiber-glassed, I used a material called Fiber-OL it's a resin and chopped glass based filler (not bondo), very easy to work with. I would like to change to the flush mount kit also that might be in the future. Thanks again for the comments.
Should have relocated HVAC to glove box it is really easy and looks 100% better...
That's pretty sweet! I would have never thought of that, Props on that. Did you think of that or see it somewhere else?
Mr. Kleindl wrote:Should have relocated HVAC to glove box it is really easy and looks 100% better...
i don't like urs. could be cause of it sticking out so far.
WiGM-Tuners member.
It doesn't really stick out that far. The HVAC controls make it look like it does because they are in their factory location. this was done as a first time experience I have another bezel that I can do something different when I get tired of this one. I may try the relocating of the HVAC to the glovebox like Mr. Kleindl has done in his car, that looks good.. But thank you for the input.
02_redbadged wrote:i don't like urs. could be cause of it sticking out so far.
The work on the bezel looks good just not a fan of the design you chose.
Good quality end result tho.
JGM T-SHIRTS!!!!
In Loving Memory of Phil Martin December 14 2005
Alexis: Dustin, you're ghey, lol. I am better. I have tits, and tits rule all.
Ill never understand why ppl don't flush mount their decks so they don't stick out and look like they got their install kit from walmart ....
Other than them sticking out the rest looks great, especially good craftsmen ship with the FG on the bezel very good work.
Thanks Blindz24 and I did buy the kit from walmart.LOL about 8 years ago. I will be taking that out and flush mounting it and possibly swapping my HVAC controls in the mean time. Thank you for the compliment I spent a few hours on it thats for sure, but I didn't use fiber glass at all not the matt type anyway. I used a polyester resin and chopped glass based material called Fiber-All it's really simple to work with, then I rattle canned the paintjob. After the first three coats i didnt like the way the paint layed so i wet sanded it and re-shot it with three more coats. I used almost 2 cans of paint a bit extreme I know but won't chip out as bad or fast.
I would never install the HVAC in the glove box. Defeats the purpoase of it.
FU Tuning
Yeah I kinda thought the same thing John but it did look cool to see something different but the more I thought about it the more I knew i use them to much or my kids do. I will however move them doan and put my radio there instead flush mounted that is.
i like the bezel u said u used something called fiber-all is it cheaper then fiber-glassing? and where would you buy it?
I 'm not sure if it's cheaper?? it was for me because my friend owns a bodyshop so we had it at our disposal. Check with your local auto body supply shops they should have it there. I found it alot easier to sand and finish than glassing, the key is to not let it completely kick-off once it does you got alot more sanding to do, after you get it semi-smooth you can skim coat bondo to fill the imperfections, then it's just sanding and primering.
cj bates wrote:i like the bezel u said u used something called fiber-all is it cheaper then fiber-glassing? and where would you buy it?
looks good. really like the gauge cluster
the work looks good. plan out your outcome next time and make sure you think of all options.... flush mount kit, hvac relocation etc.
perhaps even cut that shifter down some, it's in the way
I definitely will I aven't mounted anything jus yet I installed it for fitment I do plan on removing the (Wal-Mart) stereo mounting bracket and moving my HVAC to the bottom. I injured my leg last weekend so I'm kind of immobile at this moment. I wll pst pics up later when I make the changes. As for the shifter how can I cut down an automatic shifter or is it even possible?
Spalattero wrote:the work looks good. plan out your outcome next time and make sure you think of all options.... flush mount kit, hvac relocation etc.
perhaps even cut that shifter down some, it's in the way
not too sure about the shifter. ppl cut their standard ones, don't see a reason why you cant do the same.
Yeah I found a post up here where they have cut like an inch or two off with no issues I may try that. The only thing is the yellow plunger in the middle for the shift lock but I think I can do it if I try.
