Got a waste piece from a local RV dealership where they re-sided part of a camper or rv - $10.00. Was a dual-wheel setup so the piece was say 1ft wide by 6 ft long with curves for the wheelwell and for the transition to the "rocker". Was able to trim it down with hand snips and use it to reskin my dash on my Duratech. It had a nice curvature already in it and turned out nice.
First, I removed the interior trim channel, (already had this off to remove Duradecking). I used a large piece of CAD plotter paper to make a pattern. Cut the panel by hand-snips and test-fit a couple times. Painted to match my "minivan" front seat plastic and cover. I drilled-out the rivets that held the "hood" skin to the dash and slid the new panel into position, used some "liquid nails" type adhesive to help prevent rattles and then pop-rivited back in place where the old rivet holes were. Then I used some thick aluminum plate to get my steering wheel angled right and used a vinyl siding lamp cover plate to make an angled standoff cover for my steering. Put in some "new" used gauges and I think it looks great. Much better than the fake woodgrain vinyl that was on the original dash and the holes from years of stuff added and removed.
Going for a "modern retro" look, I can't afford a real restore, and I want the boat to look as nice as my wallet will allow.
Take care,
First, I removed the interior trim channel, (already had this off to remove Duradecking). I used a large piece of CAD plotter paper to make a pattern. Cut the panel by hand-snips and test-fit a couple times. Painted to match my "minivan" front seat plastic and cover. I drilled-out the rivets that held the "hood" skin to the dash and slid the new panel into position, used some "liquid nails" type adhesive to help prevent rattles and then pop-rivited back in place where the old rivet holes were. Then I used some thick aluminum plate to get my steering wheel angled right and used a vinyl siding lamp cover plate to make an angled standoff cover for my steering. Put in some "new" used gauges and I think it looks great. Much better than the fake woodgrain vinyl that was on the original dash and the holes from years of stuff added and removed.
Going for a "modern retro" look, I can't afford a real restore, and I want the boat to look as nice as my wallet will allow.
Take care,
