Need to buy or make a bezel for an 8" screen

**ronjon228** · 11-27-2008, 09:51 PM

Well, after many hours of pondering this, I simply can't wrap my head around any concrete ideas. I'm in a bit of a conundrum.

I have an 8" touchescreen that I put into my 2008 VW GTI. With an aftermarket double din radio kit, I managed to get the screen is securely and it looks pretty good. However, it still doesn't have the "clean" look I'm going for. Here's what it looks like right now.

As you can see, there's a few issues I'm having. The first, is that the mounting kit needs to be sanded and painted were it has a couple of scratches from grinding and cutting on it to make the screen fit. That's no problem, I can do that part myself easily.

The second issue is the screen bezel. Since it wouldn't fit with the factory bezel on, I had to remove that. The problem is, the stock bezel is what holds the touchscreen overlay to the LCD itself. Without the bezel I had to use electrical tape to hold the overlay in place on the LCD. Not only does it look like crap, I have no idea how else to do it.

I was thinking about buying another bezel. Is there any place to buy bezels that would fit? Or any one with a bezel laying around they don't need?

If I can't buy a bezel can I make one? I was thinking about making one out plastic bits I have laying around. If I made the bezel, glued the plastic bits, used some filler and then sanded everything smooth before painting would this work? If so, what kind of materials would I need to do such a thing?

When it comes to fabricating anything other than MDF I'm a noobie. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Also, if anyone has any other ideas let me know. This is the last bit of work to do on my GTI and I'm at a loss.

Edit: Also I wanted to add that you can see how the dash is actually 2 pieces around that mounting kit. This makes it even more difficult because I can't really get a good mock up with the screen out of the car.

**fabworks** · 11-27-2008, 10:35 PM

It looks like the screen is just too big height wise.

I would go with a 7" screen and mold it into place on the double din kit and call it a day.

If you decide to keep the 8" screen, try to mold the front facia of the screen onto the double din kit, but it doesn't seem possible because of the height.

**ronjon228** · 11-27-2008, 11:04 PM

Yea, I realize the size is less than ideal. However, I'm kicking some ideas around in my head. If I could just find some form of 8" screen bezel to go over the screen made from ABS or metal (aluminum, etc.) that was thin enough, it would work ok. However, I don't have the tools nor materials to make this myself.

Any idea where I can find an 8" bezel that would work like this:

If I could find a thin piece of ABS or aluminum that was cut out for the screen, I could make a bezel from it. It doesn't even need to hang over on the top or bottom, just on the sides to fill that gap between the screen and the mounting kit. Seems like it would be easy enough but I can't find anything on Ebay or google to fit the bill.

Anyone on here who could fabricate this for me?

**blk02si** · 11-27-2008, 11:40 PM

I've got ya covered, and I'm local! Responded to your PM, this type of job is what i specialize in, fabricated aluminum parts.

**fabworks** · 11-27-2008, 11:45 PM

Why don't u use the plastic facia from the screen itself?

**ronjon228** · 11-27-2008, 11:48 PM

Originally Posted by fabworks

Why don't u use the plastic facia from the screen itself?

It appears to have been misplaced at some point unfortunately.

**ronjon228** · 11-27-2008, 11:53 PM

Originally Posted by blk02si

I've got ya covered, and I'm local! Responded to your PM, this type of job is what i specialize in, fabricated aluminum parts.

PM replied Joe, thanks!

**LowestIntension** · 04-30-2010, 03:35 AM

I am in the same boat as him and need a similar bezel in metal or plastic. When I bought the screen it was already disassembled and the pieces disposed of.