Alpine radio delete face plate

**IMAhybrid** · 05-06-2008, 10:41 AM

Hello, I'm new.

I have an Alpine 9886 that I want to make a removable radio delete face plate for. Is there anything that would make a good base to start from? I'd also like to add a clock to it, if possible, because the head unit is the only clock in the car. I'm thinking the clock should be battery powered.

Thanks for any advice or direction!

**rdholtz** · 05-06-2008, 11:21 AM

I'm not familiar with the Alpine 9886; without knowing what it looks like or how big it is, or even what car it goes in, I'm pretty much shooting in the dark here, but I'll give it a shot:

You could start by looking for plastics suppliers in your area (yellow pages, Yahoo yellow pages, other online search, etc.). Go see them, tell them what you want to do, and ask for help choosing an inexpensive piece of plastic from their scrap bins or off-size material. Buy more than you need -- it'll probably be cheap, since it's scrap. Ask where you can get a little solvent and glue.

Cut to size and shape, make a way to hold it in, and off you go.

Note that drilling plastic is a challenge if you don't take your time. Pull the bit back often to clear chips, and go slowly so you don't build up heat. Practice on scrap first.

Have fun . . .

**IMAhybrid** · 05-06-2008, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by rdholtz

I'm not familiar with the Alpine 9886; without knowing what it looks like or how big it is, or even what car it goes in, I'm pretty much shooting in the dark here, but I'll give it a shot.

Oh, sorry. Here's the 9886. It's just a single DIN, with a detachable face.

It's in my Honda Insight, I didn't mention it because I don't think it matters. I just want to be able to switch one faceplate for another. I was hoping Alpine made something like this, but the only thing close I could find was a face cover for a head unit without a detachable face.

I'll find out if there is some place I could get some plastic scrap near me, thanks.

**steelbluesleepr** · 05-08-2008, 05:39 AM

are you wanting a plastic faceplate that looks like nothing is there? that would be very hard to make from scratch, but here is what i would do:

buy an old faceplate that attaches to your headunit
separate the mounting bracket side from the "pretty" side
glue, screw, or otherwise attach some blank plastic to the backing in place of the "pretty" side with all the buttons and screen etc.
make sure the release button still works, which being a mechanical link, shouldnt be a big deal.