New dash cover plate – what thickness of ABS? - aqua dipping

[stevet]

Hi Team

I am looking for advice on what thickness of ABS others have used to fashion a dash cover plate following a repower.

I am thinking something in the 4mm to 6mm range. Is 4mm mm rigid enough and then i am looking at having it vinyl wrapped or aqua dipped.

Has anybody got any experience with aqua dipping - AQUA DIP-Welcome to the Aqua Dip Website

cheers

[Noelm]

If you just want to cover the holes and start again, you can buy stuff that looks like carbon fibre, comes up a treat, not real cheap, but good.

[stevet]

thank you

that's what I am look for - yet to find

[Noelm]

I know Supercheap keep it (but it's expensive) and probably good boat shops would have access to it, even good car hot rod type places, failing that...google!

[shakey55]

Obviously other distributors, sizes and thickness, but here is an example

http://www.carbonfiber.com.au/prod4.htm


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[Noelm]

Yep, that's the stuff, comes up really good, far better than just plain old white "plastic"

[stevet]

thank you - and now to find out how hard it is to cut and shape

[Noelm]

It's pretty easy to work with, just take your time, basic cutting tools work OK, hole saws, jigsaw and so on, but it behaves like fibreglass when cutting or drilling, so take care, maybe even ask the distributors what to do?

[Cobbo1]

I used to work with this sort of material with cars - generally I would cover the entire face with masking tape and work on that, this way you can mark easily where to cut and it didn't chip away, Noel is correct in saying it behaves like fibreglass, if use a holesaw or similar, a short run in reverse first is never a bad idea.

[chocolatemoose]

depends on how big of an area you want to cover

we make custom dashes often. if its covering a small hole. you can get away with thinner. if your having to remove a lot of material in the backing, and thefor the fascia has to support more free standing weight and or pressing on "touch screens, buttons etc" then go thicker.

[stevet]

thanks moose


this is what i am covering - the Evinrude ICON gauge is supported by the existing fibreglass.