We decided to do something a little different with the dash on Nana’s Jeep.  Brad decided to build around the custom tubed-in frame and make a custom fiberglass dash.  This was something that we had never tried before.  On our first attempt, we tried to use a felt backing but it turned out not to be firm enough to hold the weight of the fiberglass without sagging. Scrap that idea.
 
Our next attempt , we went a different route.  We cut a template out of cardboard and taped it into place.  Then we cut our first layer of fiberglass mesh to fit over the template. Next we added the rosin to the fiberglass mesh. 

After letting this set up for a short time, we went to cutting strips of mesh and overlaying them over the first layer of mesh and continued to keep applying the rosin. After several layers of mesh and rosin it was left to dry.

 
The next step was to come in and sand down the fiberglass rough edges into a smooth surface.  Once this was taken as far as we could go, we applied a layer of bondo onto the fiberglass base.  This was sanded and low spots were worked out again.  This step was done several times until we reached the desired surface we were looking for.

 
Finally it was light sanded and cleaned one last time and then primered.  It will now await the metal trim that is being cut to go between the old dash frame and the tubing that is supporting the new dash.  I think this is going to turn out to be a dash that will make even Nana smile.

 
Until next time.  Keep on a comin' back cause we ain’t done yet!!!!!!!  It’s gonna start shaping up fast now!!!!!
 
God Bless You and Yours.
 

 

God Bless You and Yours
David Austin--WheelsUP

Nana Gets a Custom Dash:Brad gets creative...again.

By David Austin