Carbon Fiber Style Dash
#1
Carbon Fiber Style Dash
Okay,
For some reason, I have been getting lots of PM's about the CF Looking dash
that's in my car. The Old threads I had on it don't have the pictures, so I will
be going through it again, using bits and pieces of my old threads and pics.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This is my Original, Unmolested dash - when she was a bone stock GSL-SE.
This is my OLD Dash - The Carbon Fiber style setup, with Silver Faced "Ultra-Lite" Autometer Gauges.
The "Ultra-Lite" gauges looked great, but were almost impossible to read at night. I do most of my FB driving at night, so I wanted something I could see better.
I then switched to Autometer "Cobalt" gauges, that are reverse indiglow style, with LED lighting. They look great at night.
You can even see a little "in-car video" of these guages at night, in my old
"First Gen kills 350Z Video" thread.
For some reason, I have been getting lots of PM's about the CF Looking dash
that's in my car. The Old threads I had on it don't have the pictures, so I will
be going through it again, using bits and pieces of my old threads and pics.
-----------------------------------------------------------------
This is my Original, Unmolested dash - when she was a bone stock GSL-SE.
This is my OLD Dash - The Carbon Fiber style setup, with Silver Faced "Ultra-Lite" Autometer Gauges.
The "Ultra-Lite" gauges looked great, but were almost impossible to read at night. I do most of my FB driving at night, so I wanted something I could see better.
I then switched to Autometer "Cobalt" gauges, that are reverse indiglow style, with LED lighting. They look great at night.
You can even see a little "in-car video" of these guages at night, in my old
"First Gen kills 350Z Video" thread.
#2
Now that we have that out of the way - On to the Carbon Fiber Style.
1st: My Dash is NOT REAL Carbon Fiber.
2nd: My Dash is NOT Carbon Fiber TAPE.
This is a black receptacle, used to cover any holes in walls for wiring not needed, etc. It has the CF style on it:
Pictures do NOT do it justice. It looks deep, and 3 dimensional. It has a Weave pattern which is extremely realistic
It is a process called Photolithographic or “water-transfer” printing. It is what car dealers use for “Wood” Trim as well. (By the way, this is EXACTLY how "fake" wood trim is done.)
The people who do it are usually work for car dealerships, and large yach companied. They do all kinds of CF look, and in Wood Trim for the large yachts.
Once I figured out what I wanted, I went ahead and prepared a simple bracket out of regular plastic.
Then, after playing around to get it just right, I tested the gauges.
Then I glued the bracket/template onto my stock Center console, and it stayed there.
Then I had the process I described done by a local company, and I was done.
I have other pieces already done, like the door handle surrounds, the overhead light surrounds, the e-brake, power windows surrounds, etc.
1st: My Dash is NOT REAL Carbon Fiber.
2nd: My Dash is NOT Carbon Fiber TAPE.
This is a black receptacle, used to cover any holes in walls for wiring not needed, etc. It has the CF style on it:
Pictures do NOT do it justice. It looks deep, and 3 dimensional. It has a Weave pattern which is extremely realistic
It is a process called Photolithographic or “water-transfer” printing. It is what car dealers use for “Wood” Trim as well. (By the way, this is EXACTLY how "fake" wood trim is done.)
The people who do it are usually work for car dealerships, and large yach companied. They do all kinds of CF look, and in Wood Trim for the large yachts.
Once I figured out what I wanted, I went ahead and prepared a simple bracket out of regular plastic.
Then, after playing around to get it just right, I tested the gauges.
Then I glued the bracket/template onto my stock Center console, and it stayed there.
Then I had the process I described done by a local company, and I was done.
I have other pieces already done, like the door handle surrounds, the overhead light surrounds, the e-brake, power windows surrounds, etc.
Last edited by Directfreak; 02-22-05 at 12:11 PM.
Trending Topics
#9
Full Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Decatur, GA
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The process is basically printing on any properly prepared piece of plastic. Trick seems to be locatiing the company/person with the equipment.
I am curious though, what make/model is the stearing wheel?
I am curious though, what make/model is the stearing wheel?
#11
Originally Posted by Manntis
I missed something - what process?
Originally Posted by bwaits
Photolithographic or “water-transfer” printing
Originally Posted by dazdconfsd
The process is basically printing on any properly prepared piece of plastic. Trick seems to be locatiing the company/person with the equipment.
Originally Posted by FB II
agreed, didnt understand the "process". looks very very nice tho!
It gets every nook and cranny this way, and keeps the same print throughout. When it's finished and dry - Then they clearcoat it with automotive grade clear. Then you are done.
Originally Posted by dazdconfsd
I am curious though, what make/model is the stearing wheel?
Originally Posted by dazdconfsd
Nice mod. Do you have any pictures handy of were the HVAC controls went?
them to fit INSIDE and flush with the Autometer Gauge Bezels, that I had
cannibalized from old gauges. They are back in the stock locations.
Originally Posted by dazdconfsd
BTW - Nice sandles
#12
Full Member
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Decatur, GA
Posts: 84
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Directfreak
I had to slightly sand the HVAC controls a little bit in order for
them to fit INSIDE and flush with the Autometer Gauge Bezels, that I had
cannibalized from old gauges. They are back in the stock locations.
Thanks - it's Florida here. We can wear them year round.
#21
Full Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Southern NH.
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
#23
http://www.patterntek.com/
I've been thinking of switching over the the "brushed aluminum" look myself.
< Plastic Radiator Shroud>
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
The1Sun
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
7
09-18-15 07:13 PM