My Midas was originally put together with little or no regard to fit and finish - no surprise, it being an 80s kit car, but I am doing my best to bring up to some form of standard.
The current problem I have is the dash top - the one that came with the car was completely the wrong shape and wasn't actually properly attached to the vehicle when I bought it - in fact it was just sort of laid on there. I do not have plans to use it, as it would take more work to make that fit than actually making something new. It is not part of a dashboard I can buy,
I have used a template and a mould to make something last year but it's full of dips, it curves in all the wrong places and is effectively twisted, plus I gave no thought to how it would actually attach to the dashboard and car. It's a non-starter to use this one. A waste of time, fibreglass and effort.
As you can see from the photos below I am starting from a blank canvas - I am thinking that I make a flat card template, then laying a basic flat fibreglass layer, using that as a mould to keep the dash top flat, and then somehow incorporating some brackets behind the main dash area (possibly in 4 points) to attach the top bit. I will need to incorporate the vents for the screen somehow as well. I am completely open to suggestions on fixings, coverings etc. I am possibly thinking a thin layer of foam followed by some vinyl or simply spraying the dash top with the textured paint I have been using to match the dash itself.
I am struggling to think of an easy-ish way to do it, so all ideas and guidance considered. My thanks in advance!
The big hole I need to fill. Wiring will be tidied up - it's just "there" at the moment.
Sides - nothing to mount to.
The current problem I have is the dash top - the one that came with the car was completely the wrong shape and wasn't actually properly attached to the vehicle when I bought it - in fact it was just sort of laid on there. I do not have plans to use it, as it would take more work to make that fit than actually making something new. It is not part of a dashboard I can buy,
I have used a template and a mould to make something last year but it's full of dips, it curves in all the wrong places and is effectively twisted, plus I gave no thought to how it would actually attach to the dashboard and car. It's a non-starter to use this one. A waste of time, fibreglass and effort.
As you can see from the photos below I am starting from a blank canvas - I am thinking that I make a flat card template, then laying a basic flat fibreglass layer, using that as a mould to keep the dash top flat, and then somehow incorporating some brackets behind the main dash area (possibly in 4 points) to attach the top bit. I will need to incorporate the vents for the screen somehow as well. I am completely open to suggestions on fixings, coverings etc. I am possibly thinking a thin layer of foam followed by some vinyl or simply spraying the dash top with the textured paint I have been using to match the dash itself.
I am struggling to think of an easy-ish way to do it, so all ideas and guidance considered. My thanks in advance!
The big hole I need to fill. Wiring will be tidied up - it's just "there" at the moment.
Sides - nothing to mount to.
It's never been green - apart from a bit of moss so I don't know where that's come from! Styrofoam blacks sound like a good plan. Air vents to vent the screen will need to go in.
