Rubber texture to match OEM feel for bondo/fiberglass LCD enclosure

HACKTHS · 05-03-2004, 07:22 PM

I have an Audi TT which the dash is made out of a rubber material. I am looking for a way to transfer the pattern in the rubber to this enclosure? Otherwise where do you think I can get the same rubber and just cover the whole thing with the real thing?

Everyone knows this pattern- the "random" lines that are used to add texture to plastic and rubber. Any thoughts?

arkadiyp · 05-03-2004, 07:44 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by HACKTHS

I have an Audi TT which the dash is made out of a rubber material. I am looking for a way to transfer the pattern in the rubber to this enclosure? Otherwise where do you think I can get the same rubber and just cover the whole thing with the real thing?

Everyone knows this pattern- the "random" lines that are used to add texture to plastic and rubber. Any thoughts?

Check junk yards for a totaled TT and buy a dash from it, then cut out what you need

imprezive one · 05-12-2004, 10:37 AM

you may not be able to get the same [rubbery] feel but I think you can pretty closely duplicate the texture using a sponge and some thick paint or truckbed liner spray on stuff. You could spray on a few layers of the paint, let it set just long enough that it has a gel-like consistency (easier to do with the truckbed liner) and then dab the sponge over the surface of it to create lines and pits. You could also try transfering the pattern from the dash to the paint using silly puddy or something like that. Press the clay or puddy onto the dash area, it will retain the random lines and then press the puddy against the semi-dried paint. Another option is to use a sheet of vinyl to overlay whatever you're covering, although matching it perfectly would be difficult. I've never tried this before but I'm planning on getting around to it a little later because I'm fabricating a custom gauge pod that I'd like to have this texture also.

BoraXP · 05-13-2004, 07:41 PM

check junkyards for the newer body volkswagens and newer body audi's

as long as they have the black interior it should be either perfect or almost perfect match

easiest senario

Quattro · 05-13-2004, 08:13 PM

I was tring to figure out the same thing for my A4. I don't think you would get a good match using a sponge because you would get circles, which the dash does not have. I was thinking that a plastic bag might give you a effect which was closer to the dash. If you look at a wrinkled up plastic bag and the dash they look some what similar.

Like they aready mentioned to get the best results you might as get a dash from a junkyard.

zijester · 05-15-2004, 06:20 AM

How about the pickup truck lining uh paint. Well its not really paint. Its stuff youget in a can at the local parts store. I think that will come pretty close. Its worth a try at least. And its only a few bucks.

djmickyg · 05-15-2004, 07:15 AM

u can get it vacume molded.. the same way they cover a dash in the rubber..

ring up car/dash restotators and they might know where to get it done

EDIT: have a look at this page http://www.dashboardrestorations.com.au/process.htm

Gen.Why · 05-15-2004, 08:20 PM

So that's how they do that...good to know.

djmickyg · 05-16-2004, 06:54 AM

just a warning it aint cheap.. but it does look awsome if done right...

knew a guy that had speaker pods in his dor done like this looked real good and cost more than the speakers he had in em.

TrailLeadr · 11-01-2005, 02:56 PM

Does anyone know where a DIY'er would be able to pick up that vinyl rubber skin? I tried to do a search off of the info from the link in this thread, and came up with little. My project will require the dash to be re-skinned, since most of my dash has the textured rubber coating. Getting a replacement dash won't be an option for me. I'd rather just try to re-skin it myself.
Any thoughts are very welcome!

Thanks!

BoraXP · 11-01-2005, 03:55 PM

wow way to bring back a dead one

TrailLeadr · 11-01-2005, 04:38 PM

Only because I'm too stubborn to get rid of my suburban, which has a rubber dash!

H8tred666 · 01-04-2006, 02:49 AM

Second gasp.

I remember getting a vinyl repair kit (The iron on type stuff) that had little card stock pattern squares for matching textured surfaces. However, these were about1"x1" squares. If I ever find a source for larger squares, I'll post in here.

94legend · 01-04-2006, 03:24 AM

Why not just go to Jo-Ann Fabrics or your local fabric store and pick up leather look vinyl and cover your enclosure? Would save you the trouble of going through the Junkyard and it'd cost a heck of a lot less too.

chronot150 · 02-11-2006, 08:17 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by 94legend

Why not just go to Jo-Ann Fabrics or your local fabric store and pick up leather look vinyl and cover your enclosure? Would save you the trouble of going through the Junkyard and it'd cost a heck of a lot less too.

Check this out (it's in frames so it's pretty lame...) https://selectproducts.com/html/frame2/frames2.htm
Click on "Fabrics" at the top. I think Monte Carlo Vinyl is the closest match to the TT.