Custom Molded Dash, How to finish?

[fasterpatrick]

Okay, Now that I made it What would be the best / easiest way to make it look good. I've put together a nice piece of glass work to make a molded dash for my cobra replica and I can't realy decide on how I should go about finishing it.
Option 1. Painted finish: Complete it to body color or other

Option 2. Faux factory look: Spray with texture layers and interior color match hope it doesn't look CHEESY.

Option 3. Cover: Outdoor leather look vinyl covering this would be most difficult with the shape, but look awesome if pulled off correctly.

Any other options or Ideas welcome, here are some photos of the part.




Patrick

[ROBERT GWALTNEY]

Wrap it in carbon fiber

[VintageUpgrades]

With the work you have put into it, I would have an interior shop cover it in black leather or vinyl. Have the curves and gauge holes french stitched in black or a color that compliments the car.

[strictlypersonl]

A good upholsterer could probably cover that, with some seaming.

Spray vinyl (at least it's cheap):
http://www3.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXJFL1&P=FR

or a semi-flat paint.

On our GTs, we use a spray "mouse fur" but it's really difficult to keep clean.

[SoTxButler]

Paint it body color....no fake anything.

[tcrist]

For me, I would paint it some color opposite the body color but not exactly the same as the interior upholstered items.

But that is just me.

[pablo63]

I think I would paint it also. Probably with a heavy duty hammered finish paint. It would give it some texture and be very durable.

[DanEC]

I've used the SEM texture spray before with good results if you decide to go that way. You will need to experiment with different distances from the surface and thickness of the spray coat to get the degree of texture that you like.

Dan

[Paul F]

Paint, even in a contrasting color is too plain. Leather or vinyl is a must. No question.

It may look hard, but it isn't (if you know how to sew). Get some vinyl or other cheap material and lay it out.
- Where you get lumps is where you need a seam. Just cut the lumps and then overlay the cuts.
- Where you run short, you need a seam. Cut it there as well and patch in material.

Now you have a template of the pieces. Now go make the real pieces and lay it out again. Mark the seams and sew.

Or better yet, take it to an upholsterer.

[vettestr]

Patrick,
I like the shape and layout. For my take on what you have leather is a must. I do not know what you have in mind for the interior but for me it screams a nice leather with french seams (ftf) and highlights.

A competent upholstery shop turned loose on this project can do magic and know where/what is needed to carry the whole thing off.

[pablo63]

Leather would look great but I'd be afraid that if too many seams were required it would look bad. Maybe if some of the seams were blind and others were piped, say as to frame the gauges, that might look good.

[Z-linkCobra]

Painted to match the car. The gauges,column and accs. will be enough to offset it nicely in my opinoin.

Just my thoughts.

[fleiss75]

Paint it, everyone has the vinyl or leather and after a few years, they crack and look terrible. If you paint it, it will stand out and make it look very custom. Why build something that nice to make it blend in?

[mkassab]

what ever you end up with...... any with a gloss finish will cause crazy sun glare!! This would include carbor fiber, metal/alum, gloss paint, gloss wood, etc. So either leather, vinyl or a satin/flat finish would be in order.

Mark