Glassing my Gauge Cluster...

WyoSyclone

WyoSyclone

Active member
I've been working on a gauge cluster for a few nights. Did my normal stretched T-shirt routine with it and put my first coat of fiberglass resin on tonight.

Should be lookin' purdy in a few more nights...
060.jpg

061.jpg

062.jpg

063.jpg
 
13Pelle

13Pelle

Active member
Re: Glassing my Gauge Cluster...

Looking good. Not a bad idea. Looking foward to seeing the end product. Nice work so far.:tup:
 
WyoSyclone

WyoSyclone

Active member
Re: Glassing my Gauge Cluster...

A little more progress...

Glazing compound smoothes out some irregularities. On the first filler coat (white layer beneath the red) I used some lightweight filler we use in the RC airplane industry... goes on easy, sands great, creates a good base for the fiberglass cloth.
IMG_2342.jpg


Glazing compound sanded...
IMG_2343.jpg


1.5 ounce fiberglass cloth applied. I usually mix the resin a little hot just because it lets me get through the project faster (unless I'm doing something structural on an airplane).
IMG_2345.jpg


Fiberglass cloth dried and trimmed....
IMG_2346.jpg


Another view.... I trial fit the gauges and they fit perfect... I should have it finished tomorrow. Haven't decided on the final look yet - maybe a semi-mat black with texture, or a thin color-matched leather wrap.
I don't get to wild with perfecting the surface quality until the fiberglass cloth is on and I've sprayed my first coat of primer... it's a lot easier feathering edges on the glazing compound against the primer than it is against the cloth.
IMG_2347.jpg


I'll post a few more pics when it's close to being done...
 
I

i8av8

Donating Member
Re: Glassing my Gauge Cluster...

looks really cool! been wanting to try that but wouldn't know where to start. i want to relocate my 3 gauges from the a-pillar to the 2 cup holders. i don't like the a-pillar gauges being displayed. makes me feel like i'm showing off. so i will be looking to trade for stock or sell mine once i find a stereo shop to do the fiberglass werk for me.

really want to see the final product.
 
13Pelle

13Pelle

Active member
Re: Glassing my Gauge Cluster...

i8av8 said:
looks really cool! been wanting to try that but wouldn't know where to start. i want to relocate my 3 gauges from the a-pillar to the 2 cup holders. i don't like the a-pillar gauges being displayed. makes me feel like i'm showing off. so i will be looking to trade for stock or sell mine once i find a stereo shop to do the fiberglass werk for me.

really want to see the final product.
Click to expand...

I was just thinking of putting my gauges at the cup holders too today. Great minds think alike:D
 
WyoSyclone

WyoSyclone

Active member
Re: Glassing my Gauge Cluster...

Some more progress today.... should be finished tomorrow.. I hope :D

Looking close to smooth now - still need to do a few more rounds of filler-primer and glazing compound/sanding.
001.jpg


Gauges fit fine...
005.jpg


006.jpg


007.jpg


008.jpg
 
turbodig

turbodig

Active member
Re: Glassing my Gauge Cluster...

Looks nice. Do you plan on replicating the texture of the surrounding plastic?
 
WyoSyclone

WyoSyclone

Active member
Re: Glassing my Gauge Cluster...

turbodig said:
Looks nice. Do you plan on replicating the texture of the surrounding plastic?
Click to expand...

Thanks Dig.. Haven't decided on the texture yet. I'll get it in place and paint it a few different colors first - just to see which direction to go in. I've got the 2-gauge pillar pod which is slightly different in color from the dash. I might go black, or take the pillar pod off and try to color-match both to the dash.
 
C

Captain Morgan

Moderated User
Re: Glassing my Gauge Cluster...

glazing compound is garbage, that shit shrinks like a mofo.

Id wait a couple weeks before painting if I were you.
 
WyoSyclone

WyoSyclone

Active member
Re: Glassing my Gauge Cluster...

Captain Morgan said:
glazing compound is garbage, that shit shrinks like a mofo.

Id wait a couple weeks before painting if I were you.
Click to expand...

Hmmm, thanks for the tip.... but I've been using it for decades now and have never had it shrink.... maybe a different brand? I never put it on thicker than .020 or .030 so maybe that's the reason??
 
warmpancakes

warmpancakes

New member
Re: Glassing my Gauge Cluster...

if you want to replicat the tewxture get undercoating and a light coating from 12 inches or so away the repaint or you could just wrap it with vynal
 
turbodig

turbodig

Active member
Re: Glassing my Gauge Cluster...

WyoSyclone said:
Thanks Dig.. Haven't decided on the texture yet. I'll get it in place and paint it a few different colors first - just to see which direction to go in. I've got the 2-gauge pillar pod which is slightly different in color from the dash. I might go black, or take the pillar pod off and try to color-match both to the dash.
Click to expand...

The 3-gauge I got was molded in black (it was the prototype), I got some gray interior paint from SEM that was *very* close to the original color.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top