dash plates

[jerry murray]

Have 1988 Nitro that is a project. want to replace the black laminated panels where the guages and switches are placed. Where can you get this laminated board? There is three panels and hwve the white lettering for the guages and switches

jm

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: dash plates

Make your own. Use plexiglass and paint the backside which will never scratch the paint or use starboard (which is white).

How big are the panels? A unique source for thick plastic boards that are not too large is wally world or any of the "mart" stores..... look at cutting boards made from plastics.

As far as lettering many people have used label makers and coated over the labels.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: dash plates

Some label makers now can print in reverse, on the sticky side, you could print and afix the label to the underside, then paint the back side and the print would be under the glass. The same thing would work with small vinyl letters, or use the vinyl letters as a stencil and back light the lettering.

 

[jerry murray]

Re: dash plates

Thanks for your input. Sounds good, but how do I keep the labels from eventually comming off?

 

[kandil]

Re: dash plates

The paint and the glue would hold it in place.

 

[reelfishin]

Re: dash plates

What I did was to apply the reverse labels printed in clear, then I painted the entire back of the panel, this left the white lettering to show through which was back painted in black. It worked great. I've also done similar panels using just normal vinyl lettering cut as a stencil, then paint on the lettering, remove the vinyl stencil and paint the whole back in black or what ever darker color you wish. You can use any lighter color for lettering, silver, white, yellow, gold, etc.
I did another using smoke colored lexan, what I did on that one was to mask and etch the surface with the lettering, then I glass beaded the letters into the lexan, then filled the recessed letters with paint, and painted the back of the lexan to make it opaque.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: dash plates

I'd love to see a pic of that RF.

 

[wewefirex2x]

Re: dash plates

Ebay has 1/4 inch BLACK starboard. I ordered three pieces from a guy. I am using to redo my gauge panel and problably behind radio.

 

[sschefer]

Re: dash plates

I just had a glove box door replicated by Tap Plastics. The did a great job and the cost was reasonable. It might be worth looking into.

 

[jerry murray]

Re: dash plates

Hey guys appreciate the response. I know what you mean a $1500 boat can turn into a $10,000 boat pretty quick. I am in construction and the Insturment people use a black board to make tags which are usually 2 to three inches long and they are just like the panels for guages. I guess I need to find out what it is called and find someone who makes them. Anybody out there know what I am talking about?