help swapping ashtray for pretty dials!

[colm_mcm]

I've let the drill and saw loose on what used to be my ashtray and cig lighter.
I now have a big hole there.

I need to fill the hole and make the surface flush with the rest of the panel, I also need to mount the dials onto the new part of the panel.

The plan was to get a piece of plywood behind the hole and screw it in from the front (countersink the screws and fill in over - panel will be painted)
Then fill in the rest with filler, and cut the apertures for the dials with a hole saw.

Any potential problems I haven't thought of?

would the plywood expand?
Can I realistically use a hole saw on filler without it cracking to bits?

[CJ]

I'd use fibreglass filler and them isopon on top. You'd need a cirular saw with pretty fine teeth to ensure you don't damage the filled section. An option would be to drill holes around the circle and file out the excess.

CJ

[colm_mcm]

I'll let you know how it goes, it'll either turn out really well or really badly!

[Kace]

Jesus that sounds liike a time consuming and messy job - I think I would leave it to West Coast Customs myself

[colm_mcm]

It's not complicated, the dials won't be in the actual ashtray, just where it used to be.

[Sebastian]

colm i knew you are building a mark 1 golf eventualy


what dials are you fitting in there ?

[colm_mcm]

the ones that used to be in the pods in the top. the oil temp and vaccuum dials. they're stand alone Mitsubishi dials, and have their own lenses etc. just need to cut a round hole and drop them in (plus a whole load of swearing and pulling out hair!)

fitting standard dials on top. and geting KMC faces. the lower dials will look ok in black, as the surround will also be black... or maybe blue.

[colm_mcm]

This is it so far:




Hopefully get around to sanding and painting it tomorrow!

Pain in the ar$e job by the way!

[Sebastian]

you cucu boy .
BUT NIICE !

[colm_mcm]

Still have to fit a cig lighter somewhere. Maybe in the roof....

[Bernard]

I'd keep an eye on your oil temp, looks very low...

[colm_mcm]

Yeah, noticed that too, the vaccuum gauge (right hand dial) is reading "0" when you can clearly see there's a hoover in pic 3. Must get Paul Nolan to have a look.

[Bernard]

A set of dial rings would go nicely with them...

[colm_mcm]

That had occured to me too.
I have the filler completely flush with the outside edge of the existing dial rings, i.e the glass is recessed 2mm behind the surface and the rings are not visible.
I don't know how well they'd fit. I'm getting a set for the instrument cluster anyway, so I'll see how they fit then. Might be better to keep it simple and tidy too. Time will tell

Thanks for the suggestion.

[Muad_dib77]

Nice job - will be nice once it's all in..

[CJ]

Nice work so far Colm!

CJ

[colm_mcm]

Here's the finished product




not 100% happy with the finish, so I fear I'll be taking it out some time soon, overall chuffed with the difference it makes to the interior.

[Muad_dib77]

I like it - looks deadly - who needs an ashtray anyway?

[colm_mcm]

I need one actually. that's the next job. That and fitting the time clock and volt meter when they arrive.

[CJ]

Colm, excellent job, it turned out very well - kudos!

CJ

[ikeane]

Thats a nice personal mod.

Filling and smoothing takes patience or a lot of experiance I find.

Is that how you spell experiance?

[colm_mcm]

Paitence I have!

Gonna sand it back again tomorrow evening. it's true that paint amplifies the blemishes! I'm gonna get it eventually! and hopefully get better at it in the process.

Got some more ideas for the interior. Lets just say, I'm gonna be visiting MINI and Audi parts departments..

[Bernard]

Got some more ideas for the interior. Lets just say, I'm gonna be visiting MINI and Audi parts departments..

Not giant dials...

[kona]

shiny paint amplifies any blemishes.
you could try a matt or flat finish.

although i think it looks good in the pictures

[Daz]

Here's the finished product

Looks excellent

Daz...