Dash Plastic Questions

[TheOtherSide]

Does anyone know where you can get the ABS plastic with the texture that matches the stock dash parts? The stock dash plastic has a small grit texture, almost like 600 sandpaper.

I am making a mounting adapter and started cutting up my plastic sheet when I noticed it doesn't match. The stuff I have, has a large, almost bubly texture while the dash has the small, almost unnoticable grit pattern.

Here's an example:
The dash example, notice its very smooth with a little grainy texture.
http://students.spsu.edu/bwright/dash-1.jpg

The sheets I have are like this. Large, rough texture that is completely different from the dash. I changed the color (in the picture only) to enhance the ability to see the texture i speak of.
http://students.spsu.edu/bwright/plas-1.jpg

[99silveradoguy]

abs plastic sheet - ebay

they sell sheeting thats rough textured one on side, and the other side is that smooth/fine texture your talking about. I only seen it in black though

[fierotoo]

I haven't seen plastic sheets with the light texture. I'd take the piece of ABS you have and experiment with matte finish black paint sprayed at a distance on the smooth side. The paint will start to dry in the air before it hits, and leave a light texture pattern. Regular paint may work, but you may have to use SEM Color Coat. It may take a couple of times to get it right.

[TheOtherSide]

I am gonna first try and sand down the texture as much as possible and see if the residual texture is close enough. I have a 24" x 36" sheet of 1/8" thick black ABS that should suffice if the sanding trick works.

Also, I have noticed that some things come "packaged" with the type texture pattern I am looking for. I may end up butchering the mounting frame or find some old broken laptop in black with a plastic case. Both have the texture I am looking for. Actually, my LCD monitor has the exact texture i need....hmmmm.

Also, what is the SEM color for the plastic pieces such as the stock radio and the A/C cluster? I will need to paint my pieces and hopefully they will come out as 'stock' looking as possible.

[fierotoo]

I am not sure how well the sanding will work of your existing piece. I haven't tried that. Anything is possible though.

In your application, finding something else with that texture to mod may work also. Good Idea!

As far as the SEM it is # 15243 Satin Black. It is a PERFECT match.

What are you trying to fab up?

[TheOtherSide]

I am not sure how well the sanding will work of your existing piece. I haven't tried that. Anything is possible though.

In your application, finding something else with that texture to mod may work also. Good Idea!

As far as the SEM it is # 15243 Satin Black. It is a PERFECT match.

What are you trying to fab up?
I am going to make a mounting plate for my radio and move the A/C controls up so the gear selector doesn't get in the way.

[fierotoo]

Okay, I see. At first I was wondering why you didn't choose a regular aftermarket install kit. Now I understand.

[TheOtherSide]

Funny thing is, I already have 2 aftermarket mounting kits. The first one wasn't for my style dash, although the store where I bought it swears it mits my truck and the second one was sold to me by Circuit City. It does fit the opening but the cutout isn't big enough to fit my radio. I hacked it up just to get my radio in for now, I really missed my Sirius, but I need to mount it for good now. I was at first contemplating just fabricating a mounting bracket and installing a clock over the radio, much like the kits now have the pocket underneath, I was going to move the radio down and install a clock overhead since I rarely keep the clock on my radio's display. But then I got to thinking how much I worry about smacking the panel that sticks out when I move the gear arm and how obscure it looks all the way up the dash so I figured I would try and move the AC controls up top and put the radio down below. It is still in planning stages but I think this is the way I want to go. I figured I would get as much information as possible before I got started chopping everything up. Hopefully, when it is all complete, I can show everyone the difference. I am hoping it is a succesful mod too.