Playing with glass fibre (new boost gauge panel)

Post by **Fuse** » 16 Aug 2006 08:48 pm

So..

Our GL has a boost gauge panel like this

http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/34.jpg

and I wanted one like that for GLT too, as currently I have the ugly flat panel on it which doesn't look right.

I had some glass fibre mat laying around and I have never made anything out of glass fibre so I thought I'll try now. GL's one is made out of a middle section of a snowcap I think...

First I had to take some accurate (yeah right) measurements.

http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... eli2/2.jpg

Then I needed something which of I could make the mould as I didn't want to use the original panel. Well Logitech Rumblebad's box should do fine.

Well I think it came out quite nicely as I hadn't done anything with glass fibre before.

Post by **Chris_C** » 16 Aug 2006 11:38 pm

Looks great fuse!!! I'm at the stage where you filled the cardboard with filler, what filler did you use? I'm thinking of using resin, but filler would be soooo much easier!

i'm glad yours has turned out well, there is hope for mine! How are you going to fix the holder into the ashtray area?

Post by **Fuse** » 17 Aug 2006 06:48 pm

I just used some plastic filler which I had some left..

It wasn't enough so I put some glass fibre filler on top of it as can be seen. (I ran out of plastic filler) Then I just finished it with packing tape so the glass fibre wont get stuck on to it. I don't know what is the professional way but mine worked for me..

I painted the finished product with bumper paint. Bumper paint gives it a nice surface goes nicely with the dashboard.

http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/36.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/37.jpg
http://koti.mbnet.fi/mtn/images/autot/G ... li2/38.jpg

It's attatched with two metal strips which are attatched with screws on to the dash and to the panel.

I think it looks good, I need to paint it once more though as I scratched it a bit when making the metal strips to fit.. (Paint wasn't dry enough) Doesn't show in pics but there are some scratches.

Post by **Chris_C** » 17 Aug 2006 11:11 pm

I think you're right, looks good!!! Nice one mate!

Post by **mac** » 18 Aug 2006 09:44 am

Oh! that poor. poor 'Workmate'.

Mac.

Post by **Fuse** » 18 Aug 2006 10:01 am

mac wrote:Oh! that poor. poor 'Workmate'.

Mac.

Yeah It's a "bit" battered...

Frame is in good shape though, I should change the MDF parts.

Post by **Gulbrandsen_Racing** » 10 Sep 2006 12:33 pm

That was a BIG boost-gauge!

Nice work!

Post by **Fuse** » 10 Sep 2006 06:53 pm

Gulbrandsen_Racing wrote:That was a BIG boost-gauge!

Nice work!

Yeah it is 62mm as it is an industrial gauge.

I didn't want to pay something like 100e for Autometer gauge, which would have been accurate too. Industrial gauges are very accurate, but you don't have to pay extra for the brand and those have silicone dampering and mine has also a calibration valve to reset the 0-position.

And it cost only ~30 euros in a hydraulic shop. Only minus is that it hasn't got any backlight, but it isn't too hard to fit a one led.