Making a Fiberglass VW Bug Dash

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

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Chillinintheoc

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

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Chillinintheoc

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?

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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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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.

Let me know what you guys think

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Chillinintheoc

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)

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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.

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?

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Chillinintheoc

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.


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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.

thats one hell of a Frankenbug!

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.

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Chillinintheoc

Hehe, I would love to help out, I am up north in the San Francisco Bay Area though. Who knows though, I do go to SoCal to see family and friends, I will definitely PM you, if I am going to make down sometime this month.

You have a awesome buggy, can't wait to see how this project turns out.

What ideas did you get from the sample BMW project?

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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.

Yes...that would be cool, if you come down the way let me know I sure I can use your help.

I will check out all the picks of that BMW tonight and see if a can use any of their ideas.

Thanks again

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Chillinintheoc

No problem, get back to me after going through as many of those build pictures as possible if not all. They are very inspiring.

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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.

Hey Melted Fabric,

I now got the buggie at my house and I'm starting to work on the dash....any chance you are going to be headed down this way soon?

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Chillinintheoc

did u ever get help with your dash, would like to c what u came up with, maybe help!

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just for fun

Hello Sooverworked,
No...I didn't get any help.
It is setting in the garage and I'm to scared to start doing anything with it.
Are you good at doing stuff like this?

Do you have any photos you can send over so I can check them out?


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Chillinintheoc

ya ive been doing this for about 10 years dont do it much anymore but it is one of my hobbys, u can check out my post ( fiberglass interior ) it should give you a good idea how to start a custom dash from scratch it is a lot of work so u want to make sure that ur going to want to finish it. lol let me know if you got anymore ?

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just for fun

Nice work buddy....I could use some help, what area do you live in?

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Chillinintheoc

thanks, im down in lancaster Ca.

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just for fun