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  1. #1
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    Carbon Fiber Dash Overlay

    I have a 17 Action that I'm not really happy with the dash and gauge layout. I'd like to have a full length carbon fiber overlay machined for it but have no idea where to start. I don't do CAD and a template is imprecise at best. Anybody have any ideas on how to get this done? Thanks!

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    Rich E.

    17' Action Marine/2.5 Pro Max 200

    "Badges.........We don't need no stinkin' badges........"

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    Why not fill all the holes and use carbon fiber vinyl. I have some at my shop I will send you a photo of it tomorrow. There are many options depending on how much work you are willing to do.
    Last edited by Stoker boy; 09-16-2021 at 06:29 AM.

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  4. #3
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    if you are going to be moving the guages around to different locations,,,u need to glass up the original holes
    cause when drill new holes u will have swiss cheese dash and be weak,,,glass up holes to have a clean slate
    if doing an overlay u dont have to go hard into the cosmetics just gotta be smooth
    here is 1 i just finished with real cabon inlays
    as stated can do a good 3m carbon vinyl to look ok,,,or real carbon panel to really popClick image for larger version. 

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    That Skater cockpit looks awsome! The gauge holes will be filled for sure. I'm not really into the vinyl as it will require way more surface prep. What I'd really like is to find someone who can create a vector file of the entire dash that I can send to a machine shop and get an overlay cut.
    Rich E.

    17' Action Marine/2.5 Pro Max 200

    "Badges.........We don't need no stinkin' badges........"

  7. #5
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    that carbon in the skater has blue kevlar in the carbon stitching so only see in different angles,,,the silver paint dash and all has blue pearl in it ,,,even did little 1/4" carbon bezel around the gps and vesel view screens
    of course lots of blue leds through out
    boat just left shop saturday for motors
    i cut out all the carbon by hand,,,,but i do it alot on my restos
    gotta just be good on cutting sheet material,,,
    dont know who to send to for a cad style part,,will pay dearly for a 1 off part if not done by hand
    good luck

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    Quote Originally Posted by Old_Skool View Post
    That Skater cockpit looks awsome! The gauge holes will be filled for sure. I'm not really into the vinyl as it will require way more surface prep. What I'd really like is to find someone who can create a vector file of the entire dash that I can send to a machine shop and get an overlay cut.
    If you want to reproduce your dash shape do what’s called a paper rub. You can find a large flat shiny surface like a piece of glass layout carbon fiber flat on that use your paper rub template and cut the carbon fiber to fit in where you like.

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    Oh.... I'm aware of how the one-off stuff goes. I never say, "money's no object", but I'm willing to pay for what I want. I suppose I could call one of the companies I found on Google and see if they can work with a template, kinda like Seadek does. Send them something imperfect and they scan it and clean it up.
    Rich E.

    17' Action Marine/2.5 Pro Max 200

    "Badges.........We don't need no stinkin' badges........"

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    Quote Originally Posted by Stoker boy View Post
    If you want to reproduce your dash shape do what’s called a paper rub. You can find a large flat shiny surface like a piece of glass layout carbon fiber flat on that use your paper rub template and cut the carbon fiber to fit in where you like.
    I'm wanting to do the entire dash in 1/8", gunwale to gunwale.
    Rich E.

    17' Action Marine/2.5 Pro Max 200

    "Badges.........We don't need no stinkin' badges........"

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    Like John said if you’re doing a one off it’s not worth creating a file. You would only write a program for repetitive mass production. Taking a piece of glass and treating it like you’re working inside of a mold would be the best way. If you’re going to work in multiple angles and bends there’s a way of doing that but I’m sure it’s going to be something you would not want to get involved in.

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  13. #11
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  14. #12
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    Still a work in progress

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    Hey Guys,
    John, that Skater is a work of art, I'd be curious what you guys use for UV inhibited resin?

    Old_Skool
    Soller Composites is a weaving mill and can supply unique material for home projects, they have a V weave 4X4 twill that would go well on any dash.
    http://www.solarcomposites.com/compo...on.html#3K4by4

    Here's a link to make your own sheets which is what I did using a 4X4 Twill. Start with more resin than this guy uses UNDER the material and use a bubble buster also to avoid pinholes. Use the squeegee to get the excess off the top afterwards.
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uhR4jdFiS4
    I used Resin Research(UV inhibited epoxy), it's all over for sale, maybe someone can suggest a better UV inhibited VER?

    Use a heat gun and you can make sharp turns with a single layer. You can see turns in this dash just from setting it in the suns heat. This open bow doesn't leave any room for gauges so this was my solution. Wood subframe with a sheet of carbon to cover it.
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    UV epoxy, sanded with 600 and 2K cleared, buffed out and ceramic coated. You have to make sure you get bubbles out and clamped well.
    I also made some sheets with Plexiglas to cover the inside areas a couple of feet wide and 9 feet long. Make the sheet larger by 3-4 inches on all sides than the project and cut out what you need.
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    Carpet wasn't in yet and don't have a current pic. Lexus use to have a silver flake(really fine flake) they'd rub into their wood trim when sealing it. When the sun hit it, it would light up. So many different things you can do.
    Good Luck on your project.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails 20200621_071944.jpg  
    Last edited by Robert; 09-18-2022 at 07:41 AM. Reason: more current jpeg
    Robert Jackson

    1991 Voyager XT 250 HPDI

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