Making a Fiberglass VW Bug Dash

Home / the12volt's Install Bay / Fiberglass, Fabrication, and Interiors / Making a Fiberglass VW Bug Dash (

Topic Closed)

Welcome Guest :)

Members

Next Page > < Prev Topic Next Topic >

chillinintheoc

Member - Posts: 9

Joined: October 20, 2009

Location: California, United States

Posted: October 20, 2009 at 4:18 PM / IP Logged

I'm building a custom Baja Bug and I'm looking into doing a Custom dash out of fiberglass....Has anyone on this site done a VW Bug dash before? I trying to get some ideas. And is their a site that you can buy things like the cup holders and Stretch Fabric and stuff like that? Not sure if I want to paint it when I¡¦m done or rap it in Fabric

Chillinintheoc

chillinintheoc

Member - Posts: 9

Joined: October 20, 2009

Location: California, United States

Posted: October 20, 2009 at 4:22 PM / IP Logged

Also I would like to do some kind of built in for an Video I-Pod....but I don't know what to do

Chillinintheoc

bellsracer

Silver - Posts: 703

Joined: January 14, 2006

Location: United States

Posted: October 28, 2009 at 4:06 PM / IP Logged

How familiar are you with FG? See it's not that nobody has never done one, but rather, FG is so capable that it's hard to tell you where to begin.

Another matter is how far/wild do you want to go with it? That will be CRUCIAL to your planning of how you get the dash together.

Essentially, you're going to need to plan out your frame, then stretch your base, then based on what your dash design is, reinforce/detail. but without a good idea of what/where you want to go with this, it's hard to say anything really.

So how about we start with: Do you have a picture of what you want to do? Or what you want the dash to do besides hold your ipod?

Never send your ducks to eagle school.

The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.

The 3Ls of life: Learn from the Past, Live for the Present, Look to the Future.

Melted Fabric

Silver - Posts: 509

Joined: October 24, 2003

Location: California, United States

Posted: November 01, 2009 at 12:09 AM / IP Logged

I agree with Bells, you will need to post several reference pictures, or at least provide the year, model, etc... for the bug you are using.

From there, we could give better feedback and suggestions.

I like bugs too, and would be happy to assist with input and advice.

I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.

When you do not know what you are doing and what you are doing is the best -- that is inspiration.

chillinintheoc

Member - Posts: 9

Joined: October 20, 2009

Location: California, United States

Posted: November 01, 2009 at 9:26 PM / IP Logged

Ok, this is what I'm working on....I'm building this class 5 street legal Baja and I can¡¦t just put in the stock dash...I have to do something cool out of fiberglass....and was hoping you guys can help me out.

Making a Fiberglass VW Bug Dash -- posted image.

This is what is in place now, and you can see the winters shifter, I would like to integrate into the column....I have a flat stock fiberglass dash that I can use for the base frame.

Making a Fiberglass VW Bug Dash -- posted image.

This is a dash that I found on the internet in an off-road car...And this is something like what I want to do..but I don't want the column to go between the seats.

I would like to integrate this new IQ3 Dash that I just got into the dash....Would like to inset in the dash in the middle and angel it towards the driver and inset the I-POD.

Making a Fiberglass VW Bug Dash -- posted image.

Let me know what you guys think

Chillinintheoc

Melted Fabric

Silver - Posts: 509

Joined: October 24, 2003

Location: California, United States

Posted: November 02, 2009 at 6:16 PM / IP Logged

Wow, nice buggy, and nice reference shot of where you would like to go with this project.

First and foremost questions...

1. Do you know how to fiberglass?

2. Have you measured and/or designed a dash via a sketch or drawing?

3. How long do you have to complete this project?

4. Is fiberglass the only material you are going to be working with?

5. How many hours a day would you be putting into this? (...curious)

I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.

When you do not know what you are doing and what you are doing is the best -- that is inspiration.

chillinintheoc

Member - Posts: 9

Joined: October 20, 2009

Location: California, United States

Posted: November 02, 2009 at 9:24 PM / IP Logged

I will try to make the frame one weekend and in the week i will work on it after the kids go to bed

Do you that it can be done?

do you have any ideas for me?

Chillinintheoc

Melted Fabric

Silver - Posts: 509

Joined: October 24, 2003

Location: California, United States

Posted: November 02, 2009 at 10:51 PM / IP Logged

I do think it can be done, as the old saying goes...

"If you have 4 hours to chop down a tree, spend 3 hours sharpening

your axe, and 1 hour chopping"

I say that, to say this, spend the most time planning, and the rest

building your setup.

When you have a chance, take a look at this LINK HERE.

This is a BMW 6-series built by the legendary Steve Brown and his team.

When the link loads, choose to view the "Build Photos"

Go through and get a feel for where the project is going and the techniques

being implemented.

Being good at working with wood and MDF will be of great benefit to you

buiding the frames that your dash will be based on.

The ideas that I have are loosely based around the link above, I am not

saying go all out like they did, but it will give you some insight as to

how they structure things from the ground up.

More Questions....

How much experience exactly do you have fiberglassing?

The more projects you have done, or are willing to do, the better.

If you have little experience fiberglassing, then this project can be a bit challenging if you take too fast, it will be easy to mess up and you may get discouraged if it starts to lean in a different direction.

With that said, start with your design, know exactly what pieces are needed in order to make your custom dash come to life.

I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work.

When you do not know what you are doing and what you are doing is the best -- that is inspiration.

ckeeler

Gold - Posts: 1,461

Joined: June 20, 2008

Location: New Mexico, United States

Posted: November 03, 2009 at 9:37 AM / IP Logged

thats one hell of a Frankenbug!

chillinintheoc

Member - Posts: 9

Joined: October 20, 2009

Location: California, United States

Posted: November 03, 2009 at 9:44 AM / IP Logged

I'm pretty good with working with MDF and I made a few sets of kick panels for the doors out of MDF and fiberglass....I see you are in Ca, what area are you in? I'm in Huntington Beach...would you like to help out? I sure I going to need some help.

Chillinintheoc

Next Page >

Printable version

You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot create polls in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Search the12volt.com

Follow the12volt.com

Disclaimer: *All information on this site ( the12volt.com ) is provided "as is" without any warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to fitness for a particular use. Any user assumes the entire risk as to the accuracy and use of this information. Please verify all wire colors and diagrams before applying any information.