DIY carbon fiber dash

[bartock]

I have some experience with fiberglass and decided to cover the transmission tunnel cover and dash with epoxy and carbon fiber. After just one coat its looking pretty good, but going to smooth down a few spots and give it a satin finish. I still need to do the edges of the tunnel cover as the carbon fiber I got was only 12in wide. I may do the sides in leather or get a wider roll and add another layer that will cover the sides completely. For the shifter hole I used 5 min epoxy to glue the cover plate to the back side, then used filler to flush out the top so it wouldnt stick up and so there wouldnt be any rivets.
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[J R Jones]

Bartock, You may have unforeseen issues with electrolysis and metal/carbon compatibility.
nucjd19 went through this process in 2021 and he understands the compatibility and how to avoid problems:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?40404-My-experience-with-Laying-Carbon-Fiber-on-the-Trans-Tunnel-(-AKA-Skinning)

good luck, jim

[bartock]

Bartock, You may have unforeseen issues with electrolysis and metal/carbon compatibility.
nucjd19 went through this process in 2021 and he understands the compatibility and how to avoid problems:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?40404-My-experience-with-Laying-Carbon-Fiber-on-the-Trans-Tunnel-(-AKA-Skinning)

good luck, jim

Thanks! Yeah I know they are on opposite ends of the galvanic scale and can cause issues. I mitigated it by doing a base coat of epoxy first and letting it cure, then sanded it before adding the carbon fiber and more epoxy. The epoxy layer will keep them from causing corrosion. It is a good thing to know and share because replacing the dash and tunnel wouldnt be fun down the road.

[CraigS]

Long ago a friend did his CF dash in satin finish. I was expecting to see the usual high gloss ricer style finish and was kind of holding my breath. When I walked into his garage and actually saw the satin, I was amazed at how nice it looked. I think you are making a great choice.

[nucjd19]

Good move man. I really like mine. Was a fun side project https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=151301&d=1627327004

[AtlantaCobra]

Good move man. I really like mine. Was a fun side project https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=151301&d=1627327004

Does that tunnel get boiling hot to the touch when it's out in the sun? Love the look!

[nucjd19]

Does that tunnel get boiling hot to the touch when it's out in the sun? Love the look!

Not at all and I live in Alabama. It is the same finish as the CF dash that I got from FFR so they look like they came together.

[bartock]

With this being a fresh lamination at least I dont have to worry about them matching. If I ever decide to do leather, I can easily overlay both later...or find a way to make removable covers...

I dig the carbon fiber look though and nucjd19's looks pretty clean!

Im down in Orlando and good to know they dont get too hot. I probably wont be resting my elbow there though.

[MB750]

Here's the route I took. Skinned the vinyl dash with CF:

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showthread.php?46558-Skinned-my-vinyl-dash-with-carbon-fiber

[bartock]

That looks pretty clean over the vinyl. I like how it added some thickness to the dash.